Of China (part 1, London to Beijing)
I really do have to write about this stage of the journey...I got through Security at Heathrow easily and efficiently, and with plenty of time available as is my usual way.I had a bit of a wander, and then indulged in English cuisine one last time. Behold, Beer-Battered Cod, Mushy Peas and Jacket Potatoes. I really haven’t gotten my head around mushy peas.
My flight for Munich, and then on to Beijing, was scheduled to leave London at 3:25pm. At 2:40pm I realised I didn’t have my passport, boarding passes and other documents with me any more. I’d left them in the toilet as I’d been carrying them in my hand and put them down. I returned, and they’d gone.Cue: Concern.I spoke to the Lufthansa desk. Nothing. I retraced all steps to all shops I'd been in. Nothing. Got BAA Security working for me. Nothing.At 2:55pm, I asked the Security people at what time did they think it was appropriate for me to start to panic?I went back to the Lufthansa desk as I needed to let them know that they’d need to pull my luggage if I wasn’t on the flight. Thankfully, in the passing minutes, someone had handed my documents in and they had been delivered to my gate. 20 minutes. I was 20 minutes away from missing my flight and all connections. It was just too close. And no, I didn’t panic. Dignity retained.The flight to Munich was easy and then the transfer to the Beijing flight was efficient, as you’d expect from the Germans. I was highly amused at one of the Lufthansa stewards. He was very officious: “you vill stand zere whilst I do zis thing”.I sat next to a Portuguese guy. He was a Parkour practitioner and a Performing Artist. He was on the way to China for a years intensive Wu Shu study. I felt really old and fat talking to him. Oh well.Once getting settled in to my hotel (Qianmen Jianguo), I discovered that there was no Social Media access. Including Wordpress. This could have been problematic. I set about trying to reattach my online limbs. ExpressVPN did the trick. Win.
I went out for a localised wander. I love that $5 will buy you two 11% 500mL beers and some salted cashews. There was no apparent sense of order to traffic. I’ll have to work out that particular system tomorrow.
I'm really going to enjoy this part of the trip.- S