The hundred goodbyes turned to thousands and we spent several evenings avoiding the eventual and instead enjoying our friends and family. Even if it meant a 3am crawl to our beds. Jon stayed true to our roots and hosted a pellet gun beer can shooting event followed by bottle cap flicking. I’m sure the neighbors were impressed if not insulted – they pay enough in taxes for what is supposedly a quiet bungalow of houses in an extremely conservative city.
I’d say after that we sealed our true heritage (avoiding Redneck terminology) with a temporary kiss goodbye and departed our world for another* But not before we managed to eat our way through the American palate and carry at least an additional 10 lbs with us. Luckily they only weigh the luggage. It is bad enough we were over on two of the ten checked bags – if they had weighed me, they might have threatened a two ticket penalty!
We arrived safe and sound and very wide-eyed on Monday, August 2nd 6:30pm Shanghai time. Our driver, Yao, was ready and waiting and surely flabbergasted at the talented trick of shoving 10 checked and 8 carry-on bags into one 7 seat van along with the 5 of us… and him. Midwestern Americans!
Our 45 minute trip “home” from the airport left us in awe of the city action and beautiful lights. Like nothing we’d ever seen before. Amazing skyscrapers and light strung trees beckoned us along the way and dropped us at doorstep of a service apartment facility of which we will live for two weeks. A ride up 16 floors to our temporary living quarters of fabulous views of the Huangpu river, the Bund and magically lit boats constantly moving up and down the river. We had arrived full-adrenaline and subsequently crashed for a much needed rest.
I’d say after that we sealed our true heritage (avoiding Redneck terminology) with a temporary kiss goodbye and departed our world for another* But not before we managed to eat our way through the American palate and carry at least an additional 10 lbs with us. Luckily they only weigh the luggage. It is bad enough we were over on two of the ten checked bags – if they had weighed me, they might have threatened a two ticket penalty!
We arrived safe and sound and very wide-eyed on Monday, August 2nd 6:30pm Shanghai time. Our driver, Yao, was ready and waiting and surely flabbergasted at the talented trick of shoving 10 checked and 8 carry-on bags into one 7 seat van along with the 5 of us… and him. Midwestern Americans!
Our 45 minute trip “home” from the airport left us in awe of the city action and beautiful lights. Like nothing we’d ever seen before. Amazing skyscrapers and light strung trees beckoned us along the way and dropped us at doorstep of a service apartment facility of which we will live for two weeks. A ride up 16 floors to our temporary living quarters of fabulous views of the Huangpu river, the Bund and magically lit boats constantly moving up and down the river. We had arrived full-adrenaline and subsequently crashed for a much needed rest.
Tomorrow is a new day and a new beginning…
*Our thanks to the parents for their constant help in preparing for departure, my parents for their bravery at the airport, Libby patiently watching me spend a fool amount to gather food “therapy” at Sams Club and baking us a last reminder of American cinnamon rolls and Libby’s husband Roger and his kids for the airport shuttle service. Thanks to the rest of our friends for gift giving, treating us to goodbye parties, many hugs and kisses and to Rick for his surprise airport last goodbye.
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