It was a long flight, 12 hours to Tokyo, a few hours layover then a 4 hour flight to Shanghai. It was almost a full 24 hours from departure in Minneapolis to arriving at my hotel.
The flight to Tokyo was a large plane and was packed. Since we were flying west it stayed light until just before landing, added to the surrealness of it all.
Customs in Japan and China was a breeze ( actually the whole trip, which has not been the case for me in several years since my common name is on the no-fly list.)
I was impressed by the size of the airport in Shanghai. Easily the most immense complex I've ever seen. Very modern and spacious, the few hundred people at baggage claim seemed small compared to the space.
The taxi ride to the hotel also had the same feeling. Lots of well lit roads with very few people traveling. As we got closer to the city center I expected to see a crowded city, but most of the large apartment buildings we passed looked mostly empty and the city seemed asleep. I arrived at the hotel (Ramada Plaza) around 10:30pm local time. Even when I got to my room and looked out the window the city seemed quite and sparse.
The hotel guests seem to mostly be western -- breakfast was a mixed fare of west and east. Because of my egg-free diet, I ate mostly veggies and rice. The city is starting to come alive, but again not as crowded as I had anticipated. I'm sure there are parts of this megacity that are dense, but the area I'm in feels like a European business center. I can see the Best Buy offices from my room and the hotel is running an Agile conference for HP. ;)
I complete my travel to the clinic in the morning, should arrive late afternoon. Feeling good, all limbs are functioning well. My speech is slurred and slow, but I'm not talking much so it's not a problem. I have a few apps on my iPad that let me type in English and it will translate to Mandarin, as well as allow others to type or draw Mandarin with translation back.
Everyone I have encountered has been very friendly and helpful, a great start to the trip!
More from Zhongfang in a day or so!
Much love and gratitude,
-dta
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4 comments:
I love reading this! I feel like I'm there with you. Yay! I can't wait to hear about your first day at the clinic. I've been focusing really hard on sending healing energy to your limbs -- focus more on speech!!
I love you so much. I am so happy that you have landed safely. Of course you have flown a LITTLE more than I have!! I know you will be very busy and excited, but try not to over tax yourself too much. Especially with the time difference. I wear your turquoise ring so you are constantly close to my heart and always on my mind. I pray for you always. God will protect you always. This is just a new adventure for you to learn some new and exciting things. Look at all I learned about healing when I became so sick. You have a purpose for this trip.
Teresa has a good point too, I will concentrate a little more on your speech and your hand so you can communicate the way you want to. Don't tire yourself out, please. You are not there for the sake of others, it is your time now, others can wait. I love you, Mom
thanks for the details, dta! i'm excited to hear how your visit to the clinic goes. keep the posts coming!
I was diagnosed with ALS in October2011. I am planning on going to the same hospital where you are. Please let me know how you are doing. Has the treatment improved your conditions? Is it possible for me to contact you?
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