Among the many perks of first class travel, my favorite is probably the seats that lie completely flat (or very close to it). The only problem with this is the complex set of buttons that one has to operate in order to adjust the seat: one set of buttons that makes the foot thingy go up and down, and one that makes it get longer or shorter; one for your lumbar region; one that adjusts the up and down of the back of the seat; one that moves the part under your butt forward and backward – are you as confused as I am? Aside from those, there are two very special buttons that make the chair go completely flat or into a lounge position. At one point I dissolved into a state of hysterics and had to ask my neighbor, Mike, for assistance, which he kindly gave.
Notable was the fact that there was a sharp increase in the quality of the food on the leg from Japan to China. The main meal on the flight that departed Portland featured hunk-o-beef (Mike had the halibut which looked better) – and some succotash-type stuff with shriveled corn. The meat was OK – but overcooked (of course) – and the Ben and Jerry’s Cherries Garcia with the Godiva cookie was the best part of the meal.
Soon after leaving Tokyo we dined - with little white tablecloths laid neatly over our tray tables - on yummy salad rolls, a nice fresh salad with crispy lettuce, thinly sliced teriyaki beef (yes, I was stocking up on my beef intake in preparation for the rare appearance of meat in China) – and for dessert an adorable little ramekin of panna cotta served with papaya and kiwi slices.
The flights went very smoothly, in spite of the mention of a typhoon south of Japan by the captain – but not to worry…
The most exciting part came when I got to Beijing and there was no one in sight from Bethel. Absent was the cheerful face holding up the sign “Bethel…Theresa Tate.” Not to panic. Think Theresa, you have considered this possibility, now act rationally.
I wandered up and down for a while, thinking the driver must just be late, but after about 10 minutes, decided to call Guillaume. The first attempt, using my credit card in the public phone failed miserably. Then I remembered the cute Chinese girls with their bright blue uniforms that work for China Mobil. I bought a phone card from one of them and, after a couple of tries, managed connect with Guillaume. He called Han Chuen, the driver, on his cell phone and found that he was at the wrong terminal, which was relayed to me when I called him back. Soon Han and I were face to face and I was ready for the usual harrowing drive from Beijing to Lang Fang.
The photo reveals two gorgeous young Chinese couples who are very excited about KFC!!
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