china_01

SO. I made it. I had some worries there for a while, as one of my favorite zip-ups had a major zipper malfunction, I couldn't withdraw any money in canada to exchange, I started to have an upset stomach even before I got there, the lumbar support in my business class chair would mysteriously move of its own accord, and every movie I tried to watch was already 30 minutes into the viewing. but despite all of that, everything has really worked out fine so far.
the driver who was supposed to meet me at the airport did so, albeit 15-20 minutes late. I hung in there; kept the faith. and sure enough, eventually found the sign with my name being held by a tall chinese man in perfectly matching gray, with what can only be called a "coke pinky nail" and whose english vocabulary spanned all of "thank you". (which I could hardly begrudge him, as he was one up on me...).
made it to the hotel which is actually pretty nice. it has fluffy white towels and complimentary wine, fruit and cookies, but apparently thinks I am mr. zancanaro. at least that's what the card says. it also has free internet. so I hooked up my isight camera so chris and I can talk (the same goes for any of you, if you get yourselves on ichat, AIM or the like any time soon...). it's awesome. it's like having a phone conversation, but with video and a few extra chins.
after I bathed and discovered the reason I was told to use the bottled water for brushing my teeth, I went to dinner with the w+k gals here. nice thai. no mystery meat, but we ordered mostly vegetarian and wisely avoided the "liquid cocaine" cocktail.
afterward, I headed to bed to mourn my forgotten items: the camera cord. my favorite watch. oh, and my WEDDING RING.


FUCK.