Fri & Sat 11-17&18-08 Departure and arrival

TO CHINA
NOVEMBER 16-24, 2008

Our trip began from Preston High School at 2:00AM. We loaded ourselves and our luggage into a van and traveled to Pittsburgh Airport. We were able to get through the line quickly before the long lines began. Our trip to Chicago was pleasant, and I was seated beside Ruby, thanks to Dottie Stewart, who changed her seat for us.

We had a little time in O'Hare before our departure to Beijing and enjoyed seeing the light show above the moving track.

We had a long flight to Bejing, China. It was 13 hours, and because we crossed the International Dateline, we zoomed into the next day, November 18! I had called United Airlines and requested the diabetic menu and was pleased that it was not loaded with sauces and sweets.
When we arrived in Beijing, it was exciting to see all the signs in Chinese characters, but also with English words below.

For our first meal in China, we were not given any silverware! We all laughed as we tried to get food into our mouths. We were tired and hungry, but still laughing as some threatened "I know that fingers were made before silverware or chopsticks!"

There was a glass turntable in the middle of the table. The serving dishes, with 8 to 10 or more different foods were placed on the turntable. There was usually enough for each person to have a small serving of each food. In Beijing we were served rice. In Xi'an, since they are noted for their wheat, we were served noodles and dumplings. In Shanghai, we had both. Once in a while, rolls or fried bread was served.

Our food in China was always Chinese. We were seated at a large round table; one time 12 people were seated at our table. We saw that they used a large wooden round top over a small square table. We were served a one liter bottle of Coke and one of Sprite. We could have one glass of soda, water, or beer. There was an extra charge for any liquid beyond the one glass. Our place settings were always: a small soup bowl, small plate, teacup, glass, and chopsticks.

We did see American fast food restaurants, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and Kentucky Fried Chicken, but did not go to any of them until Saturday, our last day in Shanghai. That ice cream at McDonald's was very welcome!