The time for departure arrived as I said my goodbyes I was
filled with excitement and nausea. The nausea due to being nervous of going to
a foreign country on my own with no friends or family to accompany me. I flew
from New York to Hong Kong which was one of the most uncomfortable flights I
have ever experienced. Not due to the airline service, but to the fact that I
hate being confined in one place for so long. I arrived in Hong Kong eighteen
hours later exhausted, and relieved that I can finally stand on my own two feet
again. Luckily while in Hong Kong they provided free Wi-Fi access so that I
could communicate with my good friend Frost. With his help I was able to find out
how to get around “The Great Firewall of China” with the use of proxies. After
downloading the software needed I was ready to take on China’s firewall with
the greatest of ease. Now it was time to experience my first Chinese meal. I
ordered a bowl of shrimp and wonton soup from one of the many restaurants in
the airport. The size of the bowl was bigger than I could have imagined. I’ve
seen many animes and read many mangas, and always figured that they exaggerated
the size of the bowls of ramen, but boy was I wrong. Spicy would be an
understatement of the day. This dish set my mouth on fire, but it wasn’t a
painful experience. The spice was not unbearable….. It wasn’t like one of those
challenges that they would have at a mom and pop’s restaurant where if you can
finish your plate your meal is free. It was a perfect balance of spice, zest,
and flavor. After enjoying my meal all that was left for me to do was to wait for
my next flight into Chengdu where I will start my new life and career as an
English teacher.
My plane was late to take off, which meant I would be late to
arrive at my destination. All I could do was hope that the driver that was
meant to pick me up would be patient enough as to wait for me. After picking up
my bags and walking out towards the front door I expected someone to be there
with a sign reading my name and greet me with a warm welcoming smile…… I was
wrong. There was no one there waiting for me. I saw a man holding a sign saying
“Sim’s Cozy” but of course that couldn’t mean me. That holds no resemblance to
my name or the name of the company that arranged this. So I figured they would
be outside the door waiting for me with a car to carry my luggage. Once again I
was wrong. As soon as panic began to rise I calm myself down and tell myself to
wait and see what will happen. As I wait taxi drivers come and go trying to
make a living offering to take me to a hotel for the night. Luckily a young
woman walks up to me, and to my surprise she knew English!!!! I never felt so
happy to hear my native tongue in my life. She happened to be waiting for a
friend from California and was willing to try to call Vickie, the
representative that arranged everything, for me. Once again panic began to seep
in as she told me that the number was not in service. I did my best to keep a
cool demeanor, but I guess my poker face was not as good as I thought because
she told me not to worry as she would wait with me until her friend’s flight
arrives.
As time goes on there is no sign of a driver or anyone who
looks as if they are here to pick me up and take me to a well needed bed.
At
this point I was close to breaking down and have a taxi take me to the closest
and cheapest hotel. But one thing kept grabbing my attention. The man with the
sign “Sim’s Cozy” was still standing on the other side of the door waiting for
someone. He then walks off into the distance, only to later return with a
revised sign that now reads “Nathan King.” I didn’t know whether kill the man
or kiss him. I chose neither. I walked up to him and gestured that I am “The
Nathan King” that is on his sign. He did not speak a lick of English, but
happily helps me carry my bags to his car and drives me to a hotel. At this
point it is almost 1 o’clock in the morning and fatigue is beginning to take its
toll on me.
