Well I  have finally got access to the internet.

I was able to book my bags all the way to Jinan.  This was a saving of considerable time.   We sat on the tarmac for 2 hours while the techoes “fixed” the air conditioning. We had a turbulent flight from Sydney with seatbelts on all the time. Couple next to me had a year old little girl.  No crying etc. A real cutie.   Arrived in China.  Walked through Customs with no concerns.  Then was directed  to the first of my Chinese queues.  Of course very few English words except transfer.  When I arrived at the front of the queue I showed my hotel reservation.  They cancelled it (I think) and handed me a pink piece of paper and told to wait over there ( by pointing).  Eventually a person came along who indicated we were to follow him.  Got put on a bus and then travelled about 20 mins.  Got out and we were at Holliday Villa Baiyun Guangzhou.

They took a copy of my passport and gave me a room number.  Pointed me in the approximate direction and then left.  Walked across a huge car park and found building D.  Then worked out the room was on 5th floor.  Eventually found my room.  Well a free room for queuing seems a fair trade.

Huge double room, TV, DVD, tea making facilities and a mahjong table.  No Fridge.  A new key to find a fridge to put my insulin in.  It ended up as held luggage in the bar fridges. Settled in and then went in search of tea.  Met a guy from UK who was starting up a boarding school in ChengYang.  Had tea with  him and a beer.  He  offered me a job at the school and asked if I knew any other Australians who might be interested.

Next morning up with the crows, free breakfast and then back to the airport.  The airport is huge but made of steel and canvas.  A really interesting building all curves and light.  Then came upon my next queue.  To go through domestic security.  BIG Drama!! The insulin vials caused a huge confab by the security people.  I had to completely unpack everything including pockets.  I showed the letter from Dr Sam.  This met with another long discussion while they waited for someone who could speak and read English.  Eventually cleared.  Sitting at the gate and suddenly everyone else stood up and walked off.  No idea why.  Then I noticed name on the indicator board looked different.  I had no idea what to do then this lady came up and started pulling at my arm to follow her.  She took me to the correct gate. In no uncertain terms told me (by actions) to sit down and shut up.  I had tried my limited chinese to thank her!! Eventually the flight was called.  Shared a row with a mother and her 4-year-old who was just learning to talk English.  Gave her a five cent coin.  She then dived into the pocket of her down jacket and gave me a “Gold” Chocolate coin.  Taught her ten little monkeys jumping on the bed.  She then “taught me ten little indian”.  Passed the nearly three hour flight easily!

Arrived in Jinan.  Saw the arm grabbing woman, who gave me a shy smile.   Waited for my bags. Collected same and followed everyone out of the terminal.  At the  door was stopped by an official and had to show my bag tags and passport.  Eventually found my transport to the University, about 40 mins from airport.  Got checked in and unpacked.

Next instalment soon