After much anxiety on my part, the plane ride over here went better than could have expected. Flight 19 from Detroit to Shanghai departed on Thursday, February 3rd at 3:30 p.m. No delays, etc. due to the recent snow and weather.
Both kids were really great. Duncan got to see the pilot's cabin and if you know him that is VERY exciting for him. The kind Aylor family gave us a book about going on an airplane trip. Duncan studied this book cover to back and back to cover--Duncan style. So when he got to see all the "controls" that he knew from the book--he was ear to ear grinning and thrilled. Thank you to the Delta pilots out there. This is the second time you have let the Macs into the cockpit (the big kid Dave the first time!) and always with a genuine smile and heart. (P.S. Mr. Aylor of the Aylors IS a Delta pilot! Ironic?)
We are settled into a temporary "serviced" apartment. Serviced being the same as hotel life with the apartment "cleaned" everyday by staff. That is fantastic--however, the staff can barely get in here to do anything. We had 20 pieces of LARGE luggage. It is stacked in the dining room, hallway, bedrooms (2), and on the balcony. The closet space is NIL and
someone took over every available drawer and hanging space before the rest of us got here! The living is cramped, toys and books are everywhere, but it is only temporary. I keep telling myself this as I almost seriously hurt myself tripping over the luggage yesterday trying to take some things to the kids' room to put away.
I have so many thoughts/first impressions to write about. First being my internet connectivity! Unreliable and frustrating. Trying to get email, Facebook, or visit websites--let alone trying to pay bills online (which is a must!) is a real exercise in patience. I am used to my superfast Comcast connection and have locked my computer several times already being impatient and making too many commands.
Next--food. What to eat? There are a few rules to live by--DO NOT drink or use tap water for anything. Always use bottled water--to cook with, brush your teeth, etc. No ice in your drinks and unless you see the water poured from a sealed bottle-don't drink it. WHY? In parts of the country effluent is not contained and the water is not treated. This obviously can find its way to the big city. Plus infrastructure in parts is very old and unreliable. Just don't risk it.
Food--it is recommended not to eat any fruits and vegetables that cannot be peeled, i.e. remove a rind, skin, etc. WHY? The source of food in most markets/grocery stores is unknown. In some areas of the country "night" fertilizer is still used-not modern farming practices. Night fertilizer (or soil)--Don't ask what it is--you won't like what you hear (think human manure!). I read that farmers keep their own "special" garden for themselves --separate from the food that is grown for mass consumption. Their "special" gardens are free of fertilizer, pesticides, etc. Organic is the way to go. After 4 days I did find a source for organic fruits and vegs. I am super pleased, but still cautious. Most of the organic farms here have been started by expats. Again, still being cautious--you should clean the fruit/veg with a wash, soak for 30 minutes, rinse in a bleach solution, or boil the heck out of it. Last night was the first night I was able to put a vegetable on the table. Organic broccoli.
On Monday morning I decided to venture to the grocery store to buy some food for us. The grocery store experience was daunting. I went into the store with an open mind and feeling of adventure. I am not shy about trying new experiences, but I felt defeated leaving the store. I left with packaged cookies, milk, yogurt, strawberries, and rubber gloves (for doing dishes). Not exactly a meal waiting to be made.
