Feb 12-14, 2015
Considering my
previous experiences with travel through LAX, today was SUPER smooth. April and
I stayed at her Uncle Tim's in Tustin (just outside of LA) on Thursday night.
We'd arrived in the late afternoon after picking up the rental car and a quick
(although poor quality) bite to eat at Weinerschnitzle. We relaxed and played
with their puppy, Abby, and grabbed a much needed shower before heading to
dinner at the Lazy Dog. It was a nice
"last meal" in the states and we definitely ate our fill.
We arrived at LAX at
6:30am for our 11:50am flight (hey! We were paranoid about LA traffic!) before
Air China had opened to check us in. Like I mentioned, it was relatively
painless getting through security and to our gate. While we waited I wrapped up
a few last minute Mary Kay business items and enjoyed a Chi Tea Latte. On my
way to the bathroom a little boy, maybe 4yrs old with a large suit case tripped
right in front of me. As I went to help him up, I noticed his dad who grabbed
him up, was OWEN WILSON! I made eye contact and smiled (only seconds later
recognizing who it was as he spoke to his son). April was jealous I'd seen him
and hadn't grabbed a pic. We were on the look out for him at our gate, but he
was nowhere to be seen.
Our plane was as
expected. 3-3-3 seats. An amazing first class that made your mouth water and
your legs weep. I had a window seat and April was in the middle and we were
served lunch not long after boarding. We each watched a few movies, napped, got
to stretch/pee every once and a while and on the whole it didn't feel like
12hrs. April's butt didn't agree, but I was pretty surprised I didn't get
antsy. Am I finally getting used to international travel?! I'm not sure if
that's good or bad, haha.
Upon arrival at the
Beijing airport we traveled though customs in a breeze. So far all the Chinese
women we have encountered are…not the most friendly. April and I will smile
warmly only to be met with cold stares and the occasional 1/4 smile. We were VERY
happy to see a bright face from our tour guide, Sarah (Pong Lee, or Sarah Lee
haha). We are a small group of 19 American tourists and will be together for
the next 7 days.
A 40min drive in
traffic to the CBD where our hotel was and with no delay we checked in,
exchanged money and went over to dinner. The city is already decorated for the
Spring Festival, aka Chinese New Year, with lights, lanterns and images of
sheep/goats. Out hotel, the Trader, is attached to the World Trade Centers and
a small mall. It was super convenient for us jet-lagged, weary travelers to zip
over to the mall food court for dinner. Nothing too exploratory on day 1…or 2…I
too lagged to figure it out right now haha, but now in this fluffy bed with
room to lay flat I'm feeling like that detail doesn't really matter. Tomorrow
we are off to Tienanmen Square and the Forbidden Temple, the #1 tourist
attraction in the country.
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