Getting Here
The first indicator of the day ahead was when I checked the flight status from home in the morning. The noon flight from Indy was 7 minutes delayed at 6am. Left Indy a few hours late due to late arrival of our plane and they had to log a minor mechanical issue -- this would turn out to be important information later.
We arrived in Minneapolis 10 minutes before our Tokyo flight. With a change of clothes in our carry on we were prepared to make a run for it. However, they had a desk with everyone's alternate arrangements for missed flights. We found our info and told the guy... we'll run. He said they wouldn't let us on the plane. We attempted to work with him to find alternate routes; he wasn't helpful.
Back to the front of the airport to the ticket counters. It was like the Amazing Race where people are attempting to find the quickest route. Rushing to each ticket station and then back. We were on North West (owned by Delta) so we started there. The lady we talked with look at some options but said nothing would get us there sooner. She also indicated the cause of they delay was weather from where the plane was coming from prior to Indy.
Next we whet to a non-Delta owned airline, American. We talked with a very understanding and helpful man who researched options and found one that leaving that night to LAX then to Beijing. However, the cost to purchase was high... we considered it while researching other options. We attempted other North West representatives and ticket desks but we were missed directed a few times. One person said we could just use the machine to select new flights.... Well that is only true for domestic and we told her our destination was Beijing. So, we knew American had an option and headed back to the North West desk with this information. Now we are back to the same person that wasn't very helpful nor understanding. While in line another representative assisted in working the line. We had hope that maybe he could help. As we get closer, we are not sure if we'd get him or not. The guy is front of us goes to the new representative and starts his long story... oh no this is going to take awhile. But just a few seconds later the representative gives him the info and he's off.
Our turn. We explained our situation to Don S and provided him the alternate route info American had found. He looked up the info... It was North West to LAX and then Air China to Beijing. So, the issue was Air China and the type of business relationship they have. I don't understand it all. But Don called Air China and asked if they had 2 seats on that flight... they did. About that time the first representative came over when the line cleared. Her body language was clear. I think she was just as annoyed with us as we were with her. Don explained the alternate flight and there were seats available. He also mentioned that our Indy flight was delayed due to weather and a minor maintenance issue. We forgot...Yes, in Indy we sat at the gate while they "logged" the maintenance item. I think the weather was the primary cause of delay however both were listed. Each representative had the same information but chose to take different actions. Don S got our new tickets, boarding passes and also arranged to have our luggage out of "storage" and on our new flight. With a hand shake, we were off to contact our adoption agency to let them know of our new plans. Thank God for Don S.
Forbidden City and The Great Wall
First impression... lots and lots of people. Second... this is very cool to think about my location and the history around me. Third... I expected more foreigners. I didn't see any non-Asian looking people but Debbie said she saw one couple. Often we were shoulder to shoulder in hot and humid weather. Polite pushing and brushing of shoulders is the only way to move. Everyone does it and no one treated us any different from the next guy.
The Great Wall was a nice change. Our guide said we could take the right or left side with the right being more popular as it was steeper. More popular = more people. We took the left. Not everyone in our group made it or even attempted. It was hot and humid and I could feel the difference in altitude. We stopped often to rest. The height of each step is inconsistent. You have to look at your feet as the steps range from 1 to 6 bricks high. It was nice to be out of the city with fewer people and amazing views. Attached is a picture of a tower that was along the wall with the sign. I was amused.
Dining Adventure
Debbie and I would never do this by ourselves, but going with the group was fun. We asked our guide where she would go to eat. She suggested a place just a few blocks from the hotel and wrote the Chinese characters for us. Armed with a phrase book, one page cheat sheet and the hand signals for 0-9 we were on our own... 8 of us. Hand signals...1-5 are just as you expect. 6-9 still use one hand. Our guide said this was from and old form of bargaining where individuals required their deal to remain private. Each person uses one hand under a cloth so the numbers are not visible but can be determined by feel. A person seemed glad to help us find the place and we used our "8" signal and quickly got a table. Menus were provide.... all Chinese... no pictures. One of our group is an experienced traveler, so we all just looked at him. He said... "We'll get through this". We weren't sure but he was right. Ordering was rough... pointing at items on other tables was the best method. No one in the restaurant spoke any English. At this point we were beginning to be the dinner entertainment for others. The waitress got a little frustrated and called in backup. The first successful order was beer and water. Someone with the phrase book found "beer" and said the translation. The waitress's face got a little hope back. And someone else provided the "8" signal. We ordered several items by pointing at other tables or pointing at items on the cheat sheet. The first few items I had were good... a few chicken items. The next look interested... a meat ... kind of looks like chicken. First bit got a bone... just small and the meat was not as tender. I tried a few more and each bit had bits of bone. Done with that one. The next day, our guide confirmed that it was pigeon. It was a nice evening and everyone in the restaurant seemed to be entertained and didn't mind us being there.
Katie
We got Katie today. All the girls in our group were taken to a hotel where the governmental social office has a floor rented. They arrived in town today as the orphanages are closed to visitors due to H1N1. The hotel is under heavy construction with the lobby gutted and a particle board tunnel to get the elevators. In the middle of a construction zone -- dusty. I don't think the hotel was being used otherwise. Anyway... we got her. She seems to be adjusting well and has been sleeping through her first night (it's 4:30 in the morning).
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