August 14, 2008

Beijing CHINA

Leaving Beijing on My Return to the United States

Despite a brief bout of consciousness at 4:00 a.m., a time when I flipped open my laptop to watch the final 30 minutes of Arsenal's Champions League Qualifier against Twente (we won 2-0), I slept straight through until 7:00 a.m. this morning, exactly one hour before I arranged for a taxi driver to take me to terminal 3 of the Beijing International Airport. Before leaving, I sent off a few last minute emails, as has become my hourly addiction, then showered and re-organized the last of my belongings. With one big suitcase in tow and a backpack slung over my shoulder, I said goodbye to Anshuo and hopped in the backseat of the freshly painted Beijing taxi cab. I didn't need to look at what the driver was wearing because I knew it would be the standard wear worn by all Beijing taxi drivers during the Olympics: a light yellow button-down shirt and blue tie.

It was a 45 minute drive from Shandong Binguan [hotel] to the airport, which was fairly good considering we had to cope with a bit of rush-hour traffic. For those who may not know, only half the cars in Beijing can drive on any given day during the Olympics: today was the day for even numbered license plates. For reference, the cab ride cost me 100 rmb, or roughly $15, which I negotiated yesterday so as to beat the meter.

Beijing's new airport is very pleasing on the eyes, but it looks like an exact replica of Hong Kong International Airport. Granted, HKIA is widely recognized as one of the world's nicest airports, I will still disappointed Beijing couldn't be slightly more original in its design - although the aerial view of the facility is impressive. Then again, perhaps there are only so many different interior designs possible for an airport.

I bought a few last minute presents from the official Beijing Olympics store and wrote a dozen postcards before checking in at the United counter for flight UA888, Beijing to San Francisco. Then, I passed through security and rode the tram to gate E29 where I watched a few Olympic events on the television alongside the men's football team. I suppose it is fitting that they are on the same flight back with me - I watched them play yesterday - but it was very surprising nonetheless. I thanked them for their efforts and wished them each the best of luck before boarding the plane at the last call; I wanted to be the last one aboard the flight for reasons even I cannot fully explain. Perhaps I am reluctant to leave, or more likely I just wanted to savor my last few moments, and didn't think standing in a long line was the best way to do so.

Regardless, I found my seat on the flight and spent as much of the 12 hour journey as I could getting sleep and updating this webpage. I will arrive in San Francisco at 8:39 a.m., exactly 3 hours and 21 minutes before I left Beijing (thanks to the international date line.)

Otherwise, everyone has been on flights before and there is no need to go over how miserable long ones can be.