We landed back at Toronto Pearson International around 6:15pm, after a shorter, yet seemingly longer return flight. This might have had something to do with getting up at 5:30am in the morning China time, flying out of Shenzhen International airport at 8:15am to Shanghai Pudong International, hanging out in the lobby until 3:00pm, and finally
Hands be damned
It bewilders me that there aren’t more demolition and pyro-technicians in the world. What got me through some of the evenings imitation gruel was the fact that I would get to blow stuff up afterwards. The plethora of fireworks and firecrackers available during the Chinese New Year is simply phenomenal, if not staggering. Children of
The brief interlude that was Beihai
One of the very few glimpses of hope was a short twenty-four hour trip to Beihai. While Guigang was just starting to pull out of a cold spell, Beihai was sporting temperatures of above twenty Celsius. With it’s coastal beaches and tropical decor, the city strongly resembles one of many central America resort cities. The
I woke up and it was 216 hours later
There are definitely certain issues with coming back to China for the Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year). Imagine, if you will, the one-to-three day extravaganza that is visiting friends and relatives at Christmas. After these seemingly endless days, one often finds themselves tired and worn out. In China, these three days can stretch into
The Displeasure of my Misfortune
Okay, that’s a bit over dramatic. We’re currently in Guigang to celebrate the Chinese New Year with Sunflower’s family. Although a mere hour and forty-five minute bus ride from Nanning, the environment here is completely different. A significant drop in the amount of trees, and probably three or four to one motorcycle to car ratio.
Last day in Shanghai & Another Airport
As planned, we made our way to the Nanjing Road Pedestrian market as our last foray into Shanghai before we depart for Nanning. Without resorting to expletives, let’s just say there were a lot of people. I don’t use the term “a lot” mildly. A see of black haired people lay before my eyes. Not
My lungs need a new air filter
We only had one goal today, asides from acquiring our tickets to Nanning, which was to get ourselves to FenJing. From a previous China travel experience in Nanning, I figured FenJing would be located somewhat remotely, away from roads and modern buildings. Wrong. Although located a good distance away from central Shanghai, (approximately thirty minutes
the familiarity is comforting
After a full night’s rest, we were off for a day of casual touring. We’ve had no real agenda for our trip here, which I’m rather thankful for. No agenda means we’re not rushing off anywhere and so I’m not spazzing out about being late for anything. Our main accomplishment for the day was a
The inability to sleep
In all my air travels, there’s been only one scenario where I could sleep, which is when I’m under the influence of alcohol. Whether it was coming home from Progresso, Mexico or from Seoul, Korea, beer was what brought me to my slumber. My flight to Shanghai was beer-less. As such, despite my best efforts,
Hopping time zones – 14 hour flights are brutal
We’re a mere four hours in three and a half hours in, but I decided to change the time zone in mine komputor. What a mistake that was. It’s a broadside reminder of how much time remains in this aluminum can. It’s a shame that I refer to it in such a crude manner, as
