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Letter 1
Sunday 11.04.10
When I'm in the train with Anne-Marie on my way to the airport I want to test
the PDA as a mobile phone. I've placed my simcard in that and want to use my
ordinary mobile with a chinese simcard.
I can't. It won't accept the simcard - and I have tested it before - even with
some problems.
Later it turns out, that it's possible to reverse the card - normally you can't
- and that was the only problem, BUT - when I remove the battery it forgets all
about the driver, that should make it possible for me to write "æ", "ø" and "å".
But that can be fixed - whenever I get to a real computer...
It's 05.15 a.m. dear friends and here I am again. On my way back to China. Here
at gate D43 in Shiphol Airport in Amsterdam it's crowed with chinese people. And
when we board the plane I start feeling in China. Everyone wants to switch seat
with someone else - and it's not the guy next - back and forth in the plane they
move, while we that entered last are fighting to get to our seats. A stewardess
politely asks a man to sit down: "So we can depart, please..."
Monday 12.04.10 Chengdu Airport 10.05 a.m.
Last time I had no problems entering the country, but as Chengdu is a smaller
city (4 mill.) than Beijing I expect it to be a little harder this time.
But it's not like that. The time for each passenger is a little longer but no
problems!
So I get through and find my luggage, and THEN it all starts!
I stroll along the arrival hall to find the ATM that must be here. Nothing. Back
again. Still nothing. I look for someone to ask. A nice uniform suggest some
english knowledge. "Yes..." I have to go upstairs. Happily I enter the escalator
stairs and find the machines - four of them. But they're unfortunately ALL out
of money it seems. Back to the change booth. They only change euro and dollars!
My danish 1000 crown note I can use to sweep the floor. By accident I also
brought a one dollar note I found in my drawer.I put it on the counter in
triumph - and get 7 yuan.
Then I go for the busses. No, first I go to the bookstore to ask for a map of
the city - "di tu?" - "mei you", we don't have.
The bus is unfortunately 10 yuan. A friendly gentleman asks in english if I need
any assistance? He's been studying in Germany and prefers speaking german. I
explain my situation. He immidiately offers to buy me a ticket. There were nice
people in Germany too, that helped him when he needed it. Long live the friendly
people, let them grow to fill up the Earth! I hand over my 7 yuan and thank him
a lot. Now I get to the center. My friend who is also going there explains how
to go back and to the left. At the big crossing is Jinjiang Hotel, where several
ATM's should be. I find it and the ATM. It won't accept my visacard! I make 2
attempts, then I don't dare try more. I bring up my extra card. Now I succeed -
I've got money and can take a taxi and whatever I would feel like. So I start
the long walk to Mix Hostel at the northern river.
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| Crossing the borderline | Back in the chinese traffic |
When I get there there's crowded. They don't have a single room, which I believe
to have booked. I've been a little naive. I thought they would send me a mail,
when I wrote my name in their Guestbook at the internet, but I should have
looked for their answer there myself. Now I can only get a double room. I get my
10 yuan reduction for being a member of the IYHO, so I accept 140 RMB for two
nights.
I ask who is manager? - I don't see Laura anywhere - Is Laura not here anymore?
Yes, she is, right there beside me. And then I recognize her, Her hair has grown
long. She don't recognize me either, but when I tell about the fruits she
brought from her hometown and gave me some, she remembers.