Airports [especially US]

what can I say...I hate airports!!!

so for the weekend in Chi-town, I flew out of PHL to ORD.
which is a worse airport, I'm not sure.

PHL - get to aiport w/ an 1hr prior to boarding. Go to check-in baggage[per the new rules] and can't. Why b/c I'm there to late. Huh?? All the airline sites and security sites an hour suggested. They say my bag won't get to the plane in time and I won't get through security in time.[got through in 10min; I didn't fly a hub airline] Really ticks me off; if I didn't have liquid/razor, I could've given it to the gate to check it. Oh, and I was originally 1st class [w/ credit that needed to be used]; but for the next flight I'm in the back[w/o exit row]....then on the return flight; do have 1st class; but as PHL is owned by the unions, we land @ 2am and I don't get my baggage till 3am.

ORD - landing and pickup of car were ok. Return trip....late flight, 9pm. Getting my boarding pass....If I was in the back, I would've had to wait outside for an hour and then inside for 2. [thank god I got there 4+ hrs ahead of time] As I was 1st class; and there were only 2 people in front of me; you would've thought it would be quick. Not So! United in the infinite wisdom; decides on sunday[the start of the work week for business travellers] to run a light staff. So I could check in, but....they only had 2 desk clerks for 15+ e-ticket booths. what genius thought up this plan. Security was a breeze, minus the long line. Then once inside, due to standard ORD issues and weather; the last 3 scheduled flights have been canceled. And I'm now delayed 2hrs; thank god no connection. Due to the delay; of course all books are over booked as well. If I didn't have a morning meeting, I would've taken the voucher deal.

You know prior to 9/11 people still had to get to the airport 1hr or 2 ahead of time. Thus there is no reason that ORD hasn't installed more chairs. Making the 2nd load of passengers sit on the floor. Granted everything was delayed; so every empty floor area was taken; as was the sides of the moving walkways.

Lovely security...the extra hassle of security doesn't bother me; I guess I travel a lot. The pat down and wands and remove the shoes and so forth are not a big deal. Though do I feel more secure, not really.[though I do feal it's maybe lessened the chances of whatever] I've been in communist countries, through zones of civil strife, and been in airports when #$%$#@ have been found or imploded. When I look @ the security equipment the USA uses versus the rest of the world, I think of the cold war days. The security is so old and each aiport is setup differently that it doesn't shock me that items get through.

Laptops...Why do you need to remove your laptop? can't an x-ray read through the bag? [it's not people are carrying around lead laptop cases]

Shoes...now if they actually had good machines which could check for explosives when you walk through them, removing them wouldn't be necessary. [if someone can figure out how to put explosives in a shoe, they certainly can do the same w/ a belt, a liner in shirt or trousers.]

knives, clippers, etc...ok this is amazing to me. so you prevent these devices from entering an aiport, but you provide them on a plane in 1st class; and per all the movies about prison you can create a shank from a toothbrush. [why not smash a glass, or u can cut someone w/ broken plastic, hell stab them w/ pen.

liquids...this theory has existed long before the most recent london issue.[But...if mules will cary coke/heroin in an ingested condom, what's to prevent someone from doing that w/ other stuff]

finally baggage....this one is ingenius to chicago 1 week ago. So all the flights are delayed, and of course everthing is buggered up. So I hear on the loud speaker 'due to delays, lost baggage cannot be claimed, your baggage will be at your final destination.' So if I get this correct...all the security rules to prevent your baggage from flying when you're not on the plane, has just been nullfied.

[pardon my imagination, I've read to many history books and seen too many movies]

Rants...

Well here goes my Rants post of the ....

well let's start w/ airlines and airports...actually due to the anniversary today, I'll postpone that till tomorrow.

Chicago....
Traffic - I was in chi-town this past weekend. I believe chicago may have the worst traffic in the US. Sure LA and NYC have lots of traffic; but at least they have many options. Chicago has 2 options for going north/south. NYC has between 2-3million people commuting in/out every day; and although there is plenty of traffic it always clears b/t 3-7; chicago could go from 2-8. And most of the road is under construction; which just adds to the madness. Luckily I put my chinese driving lessons to the test, and people did move out of the way for me...but I was afraid of getting shot as well.

So they have the interesting double decker trains; but why won't anyone put in a highspeed ferry or maybe a hovercraft(to account for the ice). That alone would save a lot of congestion.

Road design - what moron decided to put a toll @ the o'hare exit which has not cash option. It's either exact change or ezpass.

Suburbs - quite odd; as you head up I-94 or such; near the hwy there's lots of corporate parks; but get off and you're miles away from the suburbs; and in a mix of farms and junk yards.

Parking - try finding a free place to park in the city. I was stuck driving around town till 6pm due to my flight restriction. The parking in garages was more expensive then NYC; quite an amazing feat. So I got tired of walking up and down michicagn ave; and thought maybe I could go to a park and read; and there are plenty of open spaces about; but you need to pay to go to all of them. So either I neeeded to drive back north to the upper suburbs(parking is free there) or drive about....well I drove about and then opted to go to the airport...[thank god I did...more on that tomorrow]

Cars....

Ah!!! I love cars and hate them all at the same time; they're not much different the boats or planes. Although I do like some of the ICE [in car entertainment]; I think we should go back to simple carburetors and transmissions.

So I've made the same mistake 2x; b/c of a good deal...which alone I should've questioned. I got 2 new models of cars...one was supposed to have fixed all the issues of it's lineage[not so!]. And the other my current love/hate; has all the bells and whistles, goes really quick, gets good mileage, and is good for the environment...yes as all cars now are conglomeration of parts; there is 1 part which continues to make my life a living hell every 15-20G miles.

So now I've decided I need to get this fixed 1 last time; and trade it in. As I'm now only on extended warranty. So I now go down the line....how fast; how much space; how practical; etc. Too many choices....1/2 of me says go pratical, spend the money elseware(travel, etc); they other 1/2 say....you only live once; get whatever you can afford - sure fuel is expensive relatively[the US is cheap; compared to elseware].

Boat....
And a BOAT...which stands for Bet On Another Thousand. So who want's a boat? 24' cutty cabin; w/ dual I/O OMC 150hp w/ cobra outboards? To much time and money for me to waste w/ it.

well now I'll go and rest a bit...low on sleep due to airport woes...more tomorrow.

Back Home

Hard to imagine; but even after landing @ JFK; the relative calmness of NYC and the east coast is a welcome relief to the past 3 weeks in China.

Drove to the beach house for a some respite; as well to help figure out what time it was. [didn't happen till Sunday; 3 days afterwards]

Still in catchup mode...not much to catchup on but still gathering my thoughts prior to giving my formal trip report.

Got lovely news on my cars health on returning...just over 50k on the clock and still having the same issues since day one. Might be time to review my options for trade-in a new car. Would love to get a another diesel...but no...for whatever reason many euro manufacturers are pulling out of the diesel market in the US.

Tuesday...

Last day in Mainland China...heading out @ 14:00(2pm) to HK. It will be nice to be someplace where more people speak english. Also see the sights of HK; leaving tomorrow night(23:00); so I'll get to see a lot over the day.

I've spoken to many co-workers who've come to work here...3 weeks is long...I think I'd rather do 2 weeks here 2 weeks in western world, then back....the travel would get tiring...but it would be less stressful on me...maybe if I was traveling w/ another westerner things would be less stressful...

Monday...

usual day @ the office...luckily had people @ office call about camera...I left it and my sunglasses @ the tea house.

today's the last day before I head to HK then back home...had a closer meeting...hard to close when the person who's translating has no technical bkgrnd in computer tech.

everyone wants me to stay...and to stay a long time...odd as there are so many people here.

Weekend...

Well as this weekend comes to an end...

Saturday...walked around Shenzhen a bit more this weekend; saw the city that the people live in; not where the expats live. Had a traditional dim sum[actually means desserts; not dumplings] meal, we could pick from 40 items. We had about 7, was told this is a place on the chinese come to; as well on the weekends mostly Hong Kongese.

Visited Happy Valley; a chinese centric epcot like place, but w/ amusement park like events in the middle of it. [e.g., you can see miniture version of temples through out china; and go on a zip line as well]. Saw a nice musical like performance w/ people wearing traditional clothing...and from my vantage point everyone looked tall..till you notice the 5-7" heels. Then went to a traditional sezchuan feast; 100+ tables in the place. People seem amazed I can eat this food; I don't find it that hot; not compared to when you've eaten an habenero raw. Great food; another place westerners don't go to. Ventured back towards hotel and found a great tea house...kind of wish I knew about this place prior; open till 2am; people playing poker and checkers; nice place to unwind. Had the emperors tea; very mellow.

Sunday...got a late start; figured my hosts wanted some relaxing time...so opted for a later meeting. Met up w/ some more friends and took the subway to downtown Shenzhen. Ooh lots of people...less then I thought, but still lots...had some gelato[kind a odd in this place]. Noticed all the KFC's 3 in 1-2 blocks; all probably seating about 150 or more. Then off for a foot massage...odd obession here; seems like people get these more then any other massage. Went to Panling Plaza for dinner; in the rotating restaurant...ooh do you get a new perspective on the city...about 3 blocks away there is a canal and just beyond that rice fields....look the other direction and row after row of flats. Do a 180; and you see the bay...just beyond that HK. There were a lot of HKese in the restaurant...they carry themselves differently...dress more western...but enjoy the cheapness of mainland. This was definitly the most expensive meal..though worth it for the view. $55/person [including a pricy bottle of red wine].

As usual both days..fighting off call girls on the elevator and when entering my room - though I will say this the first 4 star; which has condoms on the room service menu.

seemed to have misplaced my camera...hope one of the girls didn't walk off with it; or I didn't leave it @ the tea house.

Driving....

Ah driving in China....
I had been warned about it prior....they're all 1st generation drivers...or they go both ways around a roundabout...but I didn't think it would be that bad...was I wrong.

over the last couple of weeks...I've become accustom to it…which scares me that I may start to drive like them when I get home.

So what’s all the fuss…

First throw out all the rules that you learned when driving; they do not apply here

You take the fastest way from point A to B; negating all obstacles

If there are people in the way..it’s ok to drive through them..they’ll move.[as they won’t stop @ a crosswalk anyhow]

If there is a traffic jam…it’s perfectly accepted to drive into oncoming traffic on the other side of the road...they’ll move out of your way

if you approach a roundabout[circle]…and need to go from 6 o’clock to 9 o’clock[w/ non-GB style driving] you can go against the flow of traffic and cut out the ¾ round waste of your time

If you or your passenger[often a hitchhiker] needs to go someplace off of a highway where an exit isn’t available...it’s ok to stop in any lane and let them out

You can exit at any point…such as most people exit the highways at the on ramp, and of course when entering you do not look at traffic behind you...you just drive head in

Other common courtesies, for those of us from countries who’ve been driving for generations

If you get a flat tire, in the left lane on a highway, its normal to slam on your brakes…and change the tire there….due to this…the shoulder is most often used as the high speed lane

The shoulder…its considered rude and improper to stop your vehicle in the shoulder

If you need to change lanes [most of the roads in the cities are 3 lanes or more]…you can use a term told to me…the ‘Shanghai Shuffle’ wiggle your car, by moving the wheel left and right…this will frighten the people behind you and give you the option to change lanes or stay where you are.

If you’ve yet to learn the ‘Shanghai Shuffle’ just turn your wheel hard[mirrors are for backing up only] and people will move…the size of your vehicle has no bearing on your ownership of the road.

Horns...they are not to notify of impending danger...think NYC taxies..they are to inform people to move their car or that you are near...doesn't mean that your going to do anything...just that you are there

Turn signals...they don't mean a thing...its normal to put your right blinker on and take a left turn; but is more often normal not to use them at all

My Final Anecdote…Navigation

No one has any idea where they’re going…at first they kept driving in circles everywhere…I grew tired of this…and started navigating for them. Often we drove into the wrong driveway near the office or they couldn’t get back to the highway or the hotel[after having been there many times]…no one knows how to read a map

In China there is a written test and NO driving test.

Another day...

Another day...here in Shenzhen...

an influx of expats over the night, another 10+ at breakfast. Also a few suits...can't understand wearing a suit here...to hot/humid. today it's quite cool @ 90°F and 62% humidity [heat index=100°F]...2 weeks ago it was 93°F with 89% humidty [heat index=135°F]....

also there's a difference here w/ the set A/C temperatures...most of the westerners keep the temperature @ normal temps for us...68-72°F..whereas the locals keep the temp @ 75-80°F and as I'm w/ the locals...it took awhile to get used to working in a damp environment.

so yet again, I retired early...keep hearing noises in the hall, couldn't tell if it was the whores or guests...didn't want to get caught by them. As is understandable...most locals see westerners as people w/ lots of money....which if you convert everything to USD, you can live very well here...but if you do the conversion, you increase the inflation issues here for the locals.

Frustration...Loneliness...Tired...

well...here goes a total ingnorant comment...
when traveling to a foreign country where you can't understand the language or the words.
it becomes very lonely, when all you can do is speak in broken english to people. you start to think, write and speak in broken english. [or whatever language you speak] And as there are no expats around, I stuck talking to myself or drinking more.

Plus when all the people your working with have told you not to trust anyone on the street, and that 98% of them want to rob you. it's also very tiring, constantly feeling you pockets to make your wallet and passport haven't gone missing.

Muppets...

You Are the Swedish Chef

"Bork! Bork! Bork!" Your happy and energetic - with borderline manic tendencies. No one really gets you. And frankly, you don't even get you. But, you sure can whip up a great chocolate mousse

The Muppet Personality Test

Morning Traffic in Shenzhen

It's interesting...there's about 1/2 the amount of people in Shenzhen as Shanghia[10mm vs. 20mm] yet the traffic seems like 1/8 the amount. Now I can't tell who drives worse either...

Dinner & Whores

Well ate my first korean food today; and was offered dog. [I cannot eat something I have as a pet.] Food was good; somethings more interesting then others...as so many things here a china centric it's hard to determine what is/not normal.

went back to hotel and had drink; where some horrible Philippino singers were singing.[apparently in china; they're the most prevalent in the hotels visited by foreigners as they sing in english] Then I noticed that there were a lot of single women about...well thankfully I was w/ some friends who informed me that they were working women.

And low and behold as I try to go up in the elevator to get some work done; they rush to get in, then follow me to my room....where I need to slam the door to get rid of them..as they try to enter.

I must be in some sort of fog...I can usually tell westerners ages, but here all the girls look 12-16, and a few 17-18. Which I can clearly understand why people like John Mark Karr like these places so much.

SH to SZ

Well flew back to Shenzhen today via HK. Flight was on China Eastern...though the food was good[noodles w/ meat sauce], the service on the Shenzhen Airlines on my initial flight from SZ to SH was much better; more drink service.

Took the Ferry from the Airport to Shenzhen Shekou. It was a lot easier then expected. [much better then taking the bus & train]. There was limited people on the ferry, though I imagine that's because it was 15:30. You don't have to bother entering[immigration] in HK, and thus can enter China mainland quickly and easily.

Was met @ ferry port by company driver, and w/in 15minutes was at hotel. Still think I' like Shenzhen better then Shanghai. Not too sure what it is, just like it more...maybe I should spend more time in the non-local areas of Shanghai.

Today

Today walked around Hangzhou, down the levee, saw the carp hatchery[several million $$$ of fish], and around to famous restaurant for a chicken cooked in mud[best chicken I've had here in China]. As well as tasting the local beers...century star west lake beer is ok, but thousand island beer is better. [though a lot lighter] [plain west lake is not good]

Drove through a heavy rain storm getting back to Shanghai, here now but tired. So I think I'll take a rest and have some western food; as I'm flying tomorrow want to limit any issues.

I'm taking a bassackward route back to Shenzhen...my original plans changed due to planned power outages in Shanghai; reminds me of California. So I'm flying to HK then taking a ferry to Shenzhen for a week, then back to HK the back to US via London.

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