After saving some money working at the hilarious doctors association , finding a “job” (I use quotes because I will not take anything for granted EVER in China), getting a plane ticket, it was time to get back on the horse*.
*by horse folks, I mean back to the grind of being in China. NOTHING ELSE ROFL.
I had not updated here mainly because I was not in China and Anne was emotionally spent. In the past 6 and half months of being in the States, I realized that
A) Dallas MOST definitely is not home
B) Chicago is a safe haven for me from now until forever
C) Working 9 to 5 to punch a clock is something that I will fight like hell to stay far away from.
D) I seriously know some amazing people and am very fortunate to have them in my life.
After a rushed packing job, (thank you Kim for the duffel coupon and Beth for monopolizing SO MUCH of your place) I was on my way.
I take a flight to Seattle, have a picnic with Darcy (layover style). Board my Seattle to Beijing flight. While on this flight I make friends with my row mates. By the end of the 12 hours we were besties playing tournament style Bejeweled games on the consoles. I met a guy that was flying to south china to do some "business" there. Something to do with buying goods back and forth to Miami and Jamacia. I talk about how Joes moves products around China and he's kind of smart and blah, blah, blah.
The guys seemed interested in getting Joe as a contact, so he gave me his information.
*sidenote: Passed his information to Joe. Joe said the guy was flirting with me and was schemeing since the guy could not provide any real information to me as to why he was coming to China (i.e. exactly what 'product is he moving', why is he coming without a translator, how is he coming here and not knowing anyone?!??!?!) . "You have to know that he was trying to sound important and you weren't paying attention" Oh well I said. I was trying to be helpful.
Flight from Beijing to Shanghai delayed. (I called Joe and told him to stay home and wait to hear from me) After waiting 2 hours to board the plane, we sit on the tarmac for 2 more hours. I was told that this is normal with these domestic flights. I just wanted to sleep and couldn't. We land and I breeze through customs and immigration. I walk out to a sign with my name on it "Danielle Foster". The center that I will be working with has come through with the driver (Yes I had doubts). The driver had waited 3 hours for me and had the biggest smile on his face. I was so exhausted it seemed surreal. The driver takes me to the dormitory where I will be living and/or transisiting from. He is so helpful and patient. I get to my room and put my head on the pillow to finally sleep and realize "oh shit Joe". I have to use a pay phone outside to call Joe because my China phone apparently expired to mine and Joe's surprise. He said he was very worried cause he didn't hear from me and had to idea where to start looking for me. He met me at the dorm 10 minutes later with big grin and hug. Oh how I wish I wasn't so tired. He said that he just wanted to see my face for at least a minute and then I could go to sleep.
That was day 1...
Welcome back to China
lots of love,
Anne with an 'e'
