Flying to Shanghai

Because SY and I had a flight at the exact same time that Mark did, we rented a car together. When we got to the airport, though, we found out that China Eastern had two flights leaving at 12:00, arriving at 2:00, between Beijing and Shanghai. However, Mark was on the one going to the Hongqiao Airport and we were on the one going to Pudong. Even more confusing was that we both had the same gate. Mark questioned the check-in lady, but she insisted both flights were supposed to meet at gate 47.

When we got to the gate 47, though, we saw a TV screen that said our flight was at gate 23. We went there and waited for a few minutes, but at 11:25 when everyone there started boarding this other flight, SY said we ought to to talk to the lady at the gate desk. Then we saw the fine print at the bottom of the screen that said it was indeed at gate 47. Grr! We ran all the way back.

Adding to my frustration was an inexplicable sneaker blowout. While on our way to gate 23, the bottom of my left sneaker separated from the front of the rest of the shoe. I can't explain it -- I was simply walking along and then pfft! So our way back to gate 47 it was whap-step-whap-step. Not just frustrating, but embarrassing.

We got back to gate 47 a lot faster than I thought it was take, but as soon as we got there they changed the gate again, to 41. Mark was standing in line at 49 -- his plane has changed gates, too. We were all mystified, but as we learn again and again: this is China.

At the gate was a bus which shuttled us to the tarmac, where we 1950's style climbed the drive-up stairs to the plane. We found our seats easily and sat down, then started wondering, "Where is everyone?" The plane was not even half-full.

Hardly anyone was on the next suttle bus which pulled up, which left us wondering, "Why did the same company schedule two flights at the exact same time to the same city?" Maybe there was a lot of cargo on board, but I can't remember the last time I saw an empty seat on a plane, let alone half the plane!

The arrival was uneventful, and we touched down smoothly. Triworks sent Rachel and a driver to Pudong to meet us (Mark said Hongqiao was really close to his apartment, so he sacrificed his ride for us -- that guy is incredible), which really helped me to not worry about being in a strange city.

Shanghai's sky is much, much bluer than Beijing, which is nice break from the smog, but the humidity is stifling. I don't know just how hot is is, but just being outside for 10 minutes walking at a normal pace is enough to make me sweat. I'll have to look that up tomorrow.