We are currently sitting in the Wenzhou Airport waiting for our 9:25PM flight to Beijing. From there we'll catch a transfer bus provided by our hostel to the Sanlitun Youth Hostel.
Several of us enjoyed one last Dim Sum meal this morning (for breakfast... biggest breakfast we've ever had) with Hong Patterson. Afterwards, we dashed through the pouring rain, and then under shelter via the many connected walkways through Hong Kong malls.
We got to the airport and checked in to our flight from Hong Kong to Wenzhou (and then to Beijing.) We're now flying through Wenzhou because China Eastern Airlines cancelled our first set of flights (through Shanghai) and replaced them with ones that would get in after the Beijing public transportation would cease for the night. At check in, first, we had some trouble with Min's name because Orbitz incorrectly registers dual first names as one first and one middle name.
Then, when we got to the airport, we found our 2:55pm flight was moved to 4:15pm, rendering our connection in Wenzhou very difficult. The flight ended up being further delayed to 4:45pm and we missed our connection entirely.
Flying in to Wenzhou we saw that it looks like an awful place to be. The weather called for sun and yet the pollution and lack of greenery renders the city drab, dark and desolate. This must be where happiness comes to die - we cannot wait to leave, and yet we've had some trouble!
After a remarkably roundabout series of conversations and bargaining with the China Eastern booking agents on the ground in Wenzhou, we've gotten on a 9:15pm flight to Beijing. In compensation for our delays, we were provided with dinner: a cardboard box full of massive bowls of Ramen noodles, another box of juice-box style green teas, and dessert - a fully box of whoopie pies for each VG. Our hearts may stop by the end of the flight to Beijing.
Knock on wood that everything goes well with our remaining travels tonight. I'm on a UVA Virtual Private Network because, though Google Hong Kong is allowed in mainland China, Blogger is not! I'll do my best to continue blogging throughout our trip.
Wishing you all the best from glorious Wenzhou!!!
-Simon and the VGs
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