It was all worth it.
Today was a travel day. No matter how many I have I can never really get used to them. I guess I’ve gotten more flexible as far as they’re concerned, but I still have a long way to go. I think the problem is that I really don’t understand why it is so hard. I realize that we are a large group (probably almost 60 this time including actors, kids, parents, techies, and musicians), and that we have A LOT of stuff. But you know what I want to say? So what. I am perfectly able to get myself quickly in and out of airports, even though I chronically overpack, and I think a group should not have to be a million times more difficult than that.
We met in the lobby at 7 am (gag) and already had problems. Our bus was late to take us to the airport. Then, not everyone had turned their keys in, so the hotel was making lists of who still had to return keys… and of course you know the flaky moms had lost them or something. When we were finally loaded and on our way to the airport we thought we were out of the tough spots. Sometimes the trucks that they give us to transport our luggage are too small, and we didn’t even have that problem this time. However, as soon as we arrived at the airport things got complicated.
Whenever we fill out paperwork there are ten people telling us how to fill it out. You know, are we here for Business? Or Leisure? Or maybe even Employment? It all depends on whether or not our presenters have gotten the proper visas yet. When it says "address in China" does it mean the mainland? Or is Hong Kong technically China? When it says you have to declare large electronic possessions, does that include your computer? Does it count if you’re an American citizen or only if you’re Chinese? The questions go on and on, and it’s no wonder that half of the company filled things out wrong.
Then we stood in line to check in for about an hour. Usually it takes that long until they can find someone who realizes that we’re a huge group and that our plane is about to take off. We got through that end of customs and ended up at our gate with enough time to have some beers before the flight took off. Mind you it’s about 11am by now, but that’s technically evening in America and therefore happy hour. The flight was nice, but we sat on the tarmac for an hour and a half waiting in line to take off. Three hours later when we were finally in HK we had to circle above for another 30 minutes before we could finally land.
After that it went pretty smoothly for me. I got through customs quickly and got to baggage claim and both my bags were there! I waited to help one of the moms with the two smallest kids, and once we all had our bags we headed out to the lobby to wait for everyone else. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize that somewhere along the way were supposed to bump into our (incompetent) company manager Walter, and pick up our visas. Now here we are in the lobby with no visas, having incorrectly entered the country on a tourist visa for 90 days. We weren’t the only ones, but now we might have to head to Macau for a day just to leave the country and get back in on the correct visas. What a pain!
The real worst part is all the waiting. Picking the wrong lines to stand in is my specialty. I’m always behind the problem person who takes forever. I try to be patient but I’m not very good at it. I just want to take over and get people organized so that when they get to the front of the line they’re ready! And I want people not to stop in the middle of the road when walking. I want everyone to take care of themselves and not dawdle, and for us to check in and out in a timely, neat manner. Oh well, I guess this is all too much to want. Instead, I get a day of chaos that leaves me exhausted! Luckily though…
I'm going to stop all this complaining. Because...we’re in HONG KONG! It’s raining now, but as we drive to our amazing hotel, I am getting some gorgeous views of the island ( although it’s not technically an island anymore). It is so far reminding me of Hawaii, with lush mountains all around, and so much water. The tall buildings are very modern, and I believe they’re huge apartment complexes that hold thousands of people. Most of them are neutral, but then you’ll see a huge cluster of brightly colored buildings – pink, green, yellow, and blue! There is a lot of construction and equipment for that all around. The harbor is filled with shipping crates and boats that look like they’re ready to drill for oil. It’s beautiful… strangely modern but also with a backdrop of so much water and green. The city itself is cramped at times. The streets are narrow, and they are lined with brightly colored shops with apartments over them. We’ve already seen more white people here, along with Indians, and people from all over. There is English and Chinese everywhere, and it’s chaotic but so cool! We drove across a huge suspension bridge (bigger than the golden gate) and I can’t wait to see more! I am going to LOVE LOVE LOVE it here!!!
p.s. I'm posting this from our hotel, Le Meridien, and I am about to pass out with how Fantastic it is. Honestly, I can't describe the joy it's bringing me. Please come visit!
We met in the lobby at 7 am (gag) and already had problems. Our bus was late to take us to the airport. Then, not everyone had turned their keys in, so the hotel was making lists of who still had to return keys… and of course you know the flaky moms had lost them or something. When we were finally loaded and on our way to the airport we thought we were out of the tough spots. Sometimes the trucks that they give us to transport our luggage are too small, and we didn’t even have that problem this time. However, as soon as we arrived at the airport things got complicated.
Whenever we fill out paperwork there are ten people telling us how to fill it out. You know, are we here for Business? Or Leisure? Or maybe even Employment? It all depends on whether or not our presenters have gotten the proper visas yet. When it says "address in China" does it mean the mainland? Or is Hong Kong technically China? When it says you have to declare large electronic possessions, does that include your computer? Does it count if you’re an American citizen or only if you’re Chinese? The questions go on and on, and it’s no wonder that half of the company filled things out wrong.
Then we stood in line to check in for about an hour. Usually it takes that long until they can find someone who realizes that we’re a huge group and that our plane is about to take off. We got through that end of customs and ended up at our gate with enough time to have some beers before the flight took off. Mind you it’s about 11am by now, but that’s technically evening in America and therefore happy hour. The flight was nice, but we sat on the tarmac for an hour and a half waiting in line to take off. Three hours later when we were finally in HK we had to circle above for another 30 minutes before we could finally land.
After that it went pretty smoothly for me. I got through customs quickly and got to baggage claim and both my bags were there! I waited to help one of the moms with the two smallest kids, and once we all had our bags we headed out to the lobby to wait for everyone else. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize that somewhere along the way were supposed to bump into our (incompetent) company manager Walter, and pick up our visas. Now here we are in the lobby with no visas, having incorrectly entered the country on a tourist visa for 90 days. We weren’t the only ones, but now we might have to head to Macau for a day just to leave the country and get back in on the correct visas. What a pain!
The real worst part is all the waiting. Picking the wrong lines to stand in is my specialty. I’m always behind the problem person who takes forever. I try to be patient but I’m not very good at it. I just want to take over and get people organized so that when they get to the front of the line they’re ready! And I want people not to stop in the middle of the road when walking. I want everyone to take care of themselves and not dawdle, and for us to check in and out in a timely, neat manner. Oh well, I guess this is all too much to want. Instead, I get a day of chaos that leaves me exhausted! Luckily though…
I'm going to stop all this complaining. Because...we’re in HONG KONG! It’s raining now, but as we drive to our amazing hotel, I am getting some gorgeous views of the island ( although it’s not technically an island anymore). It is so far reminding me of Hawaii, with lush mountains all around, and so much water. The tall buildings are very modern, and I believe they’re huge apartment complexes that hold thousands of people. Most of them are neutral, but then you’ll see a huge cluster of brightly colored buildings – pink, green, yellow, and blue! There is a lot of construction and equipment for that all around. The harbor is filled with shipping crates and boats that look like they’re ready to drill for oil. It’s beautiful… strangely modern but also with a backdrop of so much water and green. The city itself is cramped at times. The streets are narrow, and they are lined with brightly colored shops with apartments over them. We’ve already seen more white people here, along with Indians, and people from all over. There is English and Chinese everywhere, and it’s chaotic but so cool! We drove across a huge suspension bridge (bigger than the golden gate) and I can’t wait to see more! I am going to LOVE LOVE LOVE it here!!!
p.s. I'm posting this from our hotel, Le Meridien, and I am about to pass out with how Fantastic it is. Honestly, I can't describe the joy it's bringing me. Please come visit!
posted by Beth at 2:33 AM
2 Comments:
Why are you drinking beer at 11 AM? Love, mom!!!
Hey - GREAT blog! But - how come nobody ever tells me when you have started up your blog again? :-) Now I get to read the recent 'back issues" ... yay. We are jealous of your travels ... DLADK
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