Arrived! (07.08.2010)

Just an update to let you know that we arrived safely after  a long but quiet flight. It`s weird to walk into an aluminum pipe, watch a film and drink a beer (what a shame, no popcorn), walk out of the machine and into a completely different world. It`s kind of like being a kid again- everything`s new. I had my nose plastered to the window, taking in the changing landscapes. Western China is sublimely wild, much more mountainous than I`d have expected. The city of Guangzho seems immense- I was told by the gentleman sitting next to me that just the airport here is the largest in China. Flying over the area, I was struck by the contrasts between city and country, modern and traditional- skyscrapers and rice paddies.And- it`s hot! The temperature at our arrival was a balmy 34 degrees and sticky-typical August weather. Evening arrives early here too-it is now 19.20 and night already.

Agents of the tour organisor, Wu Promotions, met us at the airport, along with Dieter (who I`m sure was happy to be able to speak his own language again) and up to now, everything`s going smoothly. Little mishaps, like a slightly crushed cello case and a reading glasses case that was  mistaken -and examed by the police -for plastic explosives (I`m not joking) just make the story of our trip a typical one. Now comes the next cultural encounter- our first banquet. I`m glad I brught lots of baggy clothes because I intend to take the promoters` advice and not try to lose weight while here. I wonder if our doctor also brought Alka-Seltzer?