I flew into Shanghai on Thursday, May 18th. Little did I know that I was flying into a Typhoon. Not a Typhoon in the figurative sense, I mean TYPHOON - wind blowing, raining cats and dogs, plane rocking back and forth---that kind of stuff. Considering the weather and the fact that the plane landed on one wheel, the rest of the landing was uneventful.
I had flown for 18 hours and needless to say, I was exhausted but, my day was just beginning. First off, I had to go through a "special" line to get two baggage claims tickets stamped so I can get the packages that I sent a week ago out of customs. Special usually means trouble.
So this is what I envisioned in my mind for the whole entire flight.
I walk up to baggage claim and.....
Me: Hello, I need multiple baggage claims stamped because I've shipped some of my belongings by air.
Guard: Dwebuchi chinwan, Ni shu?
Me: Ah, hi, I need multipl......
Guard: Dwebuchi chinwan, Ni shu?
Me: Ahh...I need......
Guard: DWEBUCHI CHINWAN, NI SHU!!!!
At this point, the guards surround me, grab my arms and rush me off to a back room. A sweaty man in a military uniform mimes to me to remove my clothes, like some twisted charades game. After the anal cavity search....well you get the idea.
The reality was that they spoke English, slightly, and approved both baggage claims without a problem. Okay, so I have an over active imagination.
Melody, our realtor from Well & Well met me at the airport. We drove to the apartment and proceeded to inspect every itty, bitty detail. All I wanted was some toilet paper and drinkable water. I kept repeating to my self, "and don't forget to ask about the toilet paper. Can I get some toilet paper? Paper for the toilet? PLEASE, for God sakes, I'll give you a $100 US dollars for some toilet paper!"
We spent close to three hours signing documents, turning on all the appliances, reviewing instruction manuals and asking for toilet paper. At this point, I was ready to pass out. All I wanted to do was eat something and go to bed. No such luck. Don't get me wrong, I was very grateful for Melody's help but, I was tired. So tired in fact that I skipped dinner, a first for me, and went straight to bed.
The next morning, 2:45 am to be precise, I got up. Reality had set in that I have nothing. Nothing to eat, not a plate, not a fork, nothing except a coffee mug, some coffee and two towels that Sue put into my bag. I love you Sue. With these three items I was able to do things that MacGyver would have been proud of, now all I needed was some food. No problem, I'll just go to the local supermarket, if I knew where one was and of course when I get there they will all speak perfect English. I did tell you I have an over active imagination.
Fast forward, after not eating for two days, I decided that it was time to venture out. I found a couple of nice restaurants around the corner and a Starbucks. Of course, they were all closed at the time, but I now know where they are.
I got really brave yesterday and decided to take a taxi to a supermarket called Carrefours. It is an international supermarket that is French owned. According to the management person of the apartment building, this was going to be easy. All I had to do was press a button on the intercom and say "Taxi" to the front guard. Ok, I can do that, so I press the button and say "Taxi". What I heard was "Dwebuchi chin wan, ni shu?" oh my God not this again. I figured that the guard knows what I am talking about and that a taxi would be available instantly. So I gave him 5 minutes and went down stairs. I see the guard and say "Taxi" he nods his head. OK that was easy. After 10 minutes of standing around I realized that he didn't get it. Suddenly, the management agent comes running out and says,
Girl: "Can I help you?"
Me: "Yes, I need a taxi"
Girl: "Oh, ok" (she tell the guard something in Chinese and instantly a taxi appears.).
Me: "Can you tell the driver that I would like to go to Carrefours?"
Girl: "Carrefours?"
Me: "Yes, Carrefours"
Girl: Confused look on her face.. "I'm sorry, Carrefours?"
Me: "Yes, Carrefours"
Girl: "Oh, Carrefours" and turns to the driver and says "Carrefours"
Me: (thinking to myself) What the hell was that? I guess she couldn't understand my accent?
I get to Carrefours and almost started crying. They have most everything that Americans are used to. I purchase a large bowl, chop sticks, some plastic forks, plastic wrap and TOILET PAPER. Yes, I know I didn't buy any food but I was worried that if I bought too much I couldn't get it back to the apartment besides, I know where the restaurants are now.
I had a plan for getting back to the apartment. I took a sales brochure that had the address of the place on the back and I would just have to show it to the driver and voila! I assumed the Chinese writing on the back was the address or it could have been for underwear for all I know.
As it turns out, it was the address and I got a very nice taxi driver. I may go there again today around lunch time, this time I'll buy food.
I really miss Sue and Matt. Hopefully this month will go by fast so I can return to the US and see them again. More excitement ahead.
