(Actually, I'm writing this on the morning of 6/3)
Well, it wasn't a direct flight to Beijing. Actually, it stopped at Shanghai first. We did arrive in Beijing on time. Overall, I like China Eastern [Airline]. They served a lot of food.
As we flew into Shanghai one knew one was in a different country. I couldn't believe how many irrigation canals Shanghai has. And very few cars. Many people ride bikes, too. Many different smells in the air as well as pollution. The air is so polluted here it's like a brown mist. At night it's like a blade-runner movie.
When I landed in Beijing it was dark and I was dead tired. I had been wondering about how I was going to exchange some currency since it was so late, and how to pick the cheapest cab. As I was leaving the airport some guy said, "Cab?" I looked at him and said, "Only American currency." He said no problem, that he could "change money". It was dark, the hotel was far, and I was very, very tired. I said, "OK."
This guy drove like a maniac. Since we already agreed to US$35 for the ride, he didn't have to drive slow. Yes, I got ripped, but I didn't care (he wanted to change US$100 for RMC. I said only US$50, so he declined). It seems that it's a custom here to flick your brights when:
When my tie-fighter pilot delivered me to the Qiaoyuan Hotel, I was relieved.
Checking into the hotel was strange. The [Lonely Planet] guide was right about surly employees. Again, the problem arose of having only US$. I ended up paying US$6 for a dorm bed for the night. Jesus, I've already spent US$46! Tomorrow, I've got to change some money over, contact my travel agency, and maybe move into a double. Overall, I feel very displaced.