by Nobunaga on Fri May 12, 2006 8:15 am
<Nobunaga in gripe and moan mode>
(feel free to ignore)
... So I was in China, for like the hundredth time, but this time around I couldn't get a direct flight to Hong Kong (usually go Hong Kong then into Guang Dong by bus). Got a flight to Shanghai, connecting to Hong Kong... I repeat connecting.
... Now, in the civilized world, when you connect to another flight, there is usually a bus there to take you to a special waiting lobby, so you don't have to go through customs and immigration, right? I mean, you're just changing planes - no reason to hang out in Shanghai . . .
... But low and behold, things work a bit differently in the Middle Kingdom. Damned near an hour to get through entry immigration and customs, just to walk 100 yards and then go through exit immigration and customs (over an hour!) to get on a plane to Hong Kong! I was pissed. Especially considering the fact that there is a special "Transfers Lobby" in Shanghai Pudong Airport, with a bunch of uniformed Chinese drinking tea and coffee who can't be bothered to do their job and get annoyed when you ask them to.
... 2008 Olympics - should be humorous. If the massive and billowing clouds of dust from the Gobi (sp) Desert don't choke half the folks showing up to cheer for their teams (have to wear masks in Beijing), the Chinese standards of service will be to sure to win them a place in the hearts of everyone.
... Speaking of which, imagine running the 100 meters when you can't see the finish line for the dust and pollution. It is that bad sometimes.
</Nobunaga in gripe and moan mode>
... Had a good time, though, once I finally got to where I was going.
...