A China Tale

Trouble at Huang Gang border

A big unhappy face for the start of my long journey to Massachusetts from the motherland. After getting through something akin to a panic attack (normal for me – triple rechecking my list of things that I packed – knowing full well that I will remember something at some point – at which time I’ll be unable to do anything about it) I hopped on a taxi to the Huang Gang border and was informed at the information counter there that the direct vans that take you across both borders (see my previous post about getting my passport stolen for more fun info about this border) directly to the airport were closed for the evening – so much for my 24hour assumption. The lady behind the counter went on about some smaller car I could take that could arrive in 10 minutes if I would like, she said what I thought was 78rmb. I agreed and then began to ponder how it was possible for an irregular (special) arrangement to drive a single person to the airport would come in at half the price of a scheduled multi-person minivan carting up to 6 people across to the airport at one time during regular business hours. I grabbed one of their flyers and wrote down in Chinese what I believe to be the price she had just said. She proceeded to write in English “seven hundre….” that’s the point when I started with the eye rolling and the frustrated “wayyyy too expensive” faces. I shot my dad a phone call and rerouted myself to Tsuen Wan in Hong Kong where I would take a taxi to the Airport. I still got the counter girl’s name card out of it – all Chinese – going to make the first ice breaker call a little akward. ;-p

The immigration dude gave me a little grief, but I suppose it is to be expected when you hand them two passports – hehe. Then the face masked ladies at customs thought they’d have a look in my large bag. I got noticeably agitated – she complimented my mandarin in an attempt to appease me – I played along. I Should probably be mad at myself – they NEVER check bags there – and faking an important phone call and blathering on in English into your cell phone while marching forward is enough to foil any attempt even the bravest of personnel would try to stop you with. You’ll find Chinese have a difficult time with dealing with non-compliance – think deer in headlights – then mix in the “duh” face – add a little head scratching – there you go!

Hong Kong – Faster, Cleaner.. could you get your arm off my..

The bus and taxi ride weren’t so eventful – save the socially obtuse fellow sitting next to me on the bus who refused to keep his body and person in his own seat. I exerted an akward amount of pressure on his arm until he readjusted. 10 minutes well spent. The taxi driver was refreshingly… personable. Helped me with my bags and seemed to have something of an interest in English brewing – he was listening to some English music in the car and did his best to start up a conversation with me in my mother tongue. His energy me in a good mood but I was lazy to continue the conversation beyond “I’m going to America.” Crime of distraction I suppose. I calculated based on his displayed taxi license card that he had been working as a cabbie for just over 6 and a half years. I wondered what his life must be like in Hong Kong then of how expensive things are here. I started counting the ticks on the meter and quickly valuating it back to what I usually pay in Shenzhen (mind you the most expensive place to take a cab in all of China!). My feelings of wonderment were overturned with the anger-filled disgust that always accompanies unnecessary deductions from my wallet.

I’m now sitting in the airport contemplating which direction would most likely house a vending machine or small 24 hour shop where I could purchase some water. The man whistling the Christmas song on the intercom strolling down the walkway to my left isn’t helping. I’ve been parched the last two hours. I’ll report more later!

O, almost forgot, about the “Homeward Bound” movie reference. I just thought of that movie when I wrote the blog post name . I did like that movie though! – give me a break ok I was young – ger than I am now. Talking well-trained animals had an effect on me – what can I say.