A post from a plane

This post was written on the airplane between Shanghai and Frankfurt:

After packing our suitcases we were sure we each have more than the 20kg limit. The problem was that I really had nothing I could throw away or leave behind anymore, in my suitcase were my clothes and shoes and that's it. Even after sending boxes to Germany, and giving my dad a very heavy bad of mainly books and presents, I still had lots of clothes I wanted to have with me in Germany now, and I just could not dispose any of them. So after sitting on our suitcases to make them close and taking all of our heavy things on our backs we left Andrew's place at 09:00am and headed to the airport. It was raining and cold, perfect weather to not make you want to stay another day.We called a taxi from upstairs already- but coz of the time (rush hour) and the rain we ended up waiting for 30 minutes. We were already thinking about taking the subway, when a taxi arrived. There was a lot of traffic, but we still made it for Rob's check-in- which was first. We separated, I went to my check in counter and stood in line. Rob was done first, and came to meet me- he told me that he had 29kg but they let him through with no prob. Probably coz with British Airways the new regulations don't allow you to take a big carry on so they're more understanding about weight. It was my turn and I went to the desk. They weighed my suitcase and it was 28kg. Then- the mean insensitive Chinese guy in front of me said: "you have overweight". I asked how much, and he replied: "8kg. You're only allowed to take 20kg." FUCK. I asked and begged and tried to reason with him (even though I knew that there's no reasoning with Chinese ppl), but still this SOB kept on saying the words: "8kg" "overweight" "I can't help you" "regulations". The tears started coming out of my eyes, and I got really annoyed. By that time Rob took my suitcase aside and opened it to see what I can take out of it. I kept saying that there's nothing more to take out, and in the end we put my other coat and hiking shoes outside, and tied them to my backpack. We took 2 other things out, things I can try to get in Germany again, and put my suitcase on the scale. It showed 25kg. I was so annoyed and upset I kept telling the ppl behind the counter that coming here i was allowed to take 26kg, and that only in China I see this kind of thing. Rob convinced the guy to "only" charge me for 4 extra kg and the guy let us put the 2 thing I was about to throw- back in the suitcase (I still think he's and SOB). You're prob wondering why I was so upset with the overweight issue to begin with. So I'll give you a few reasons:
1. It costs 30€ per kg!!! That is about: 300RMB, 45$, 180NIS. PER KG!!! Wankers.
2. All the stuff I took out of my suitcase ended up on the airplane anyway. So why does it matter where???
3. My carry on baggage consists of one backpack with my laptop and huge camera, one small backpack with lots of books , one small bag with my wallet, passport etc. one "The north face" Jacket attached to my bigger backpack, and a pair of hiking boots- dangling from it too. This sucks!!! And it's very heavy. Very. And I have to carry it through a connection in Frankfurt.

Anyway, for the time being the last few hours in China left me with no will to return...

***

On the airplane now... It's different to take a morning flight, the scenery is beautiful, I could see Beijing, and the deserts beyond, places that I would prob never reach. The one road on the ground was so alone, it was so easy to spot. Big factories in the middle of no-where, maybe nuclear plants, who knows.

***

I'm listening to some Chinese music I downloaded from Andrew. Mostly things from the last few years. The idea was to bring some Chinese pop songs to my mom and sis, who showed an interest in how it would sound like. So now I'm listening to the Albums so I can tell later on what's a better representative for Chinese kitch cheesy love songs.

***

I fell asleep for like 10 minutes with departure, but then I woke up when they handed us the flight menu and a snack. It was little pretzels (Beigale- as we call it in Hebrew) something I missed and dreamed of for months now. Funny to fulfil my dreams on a plane...

***

I just asked the old lady sitting next to me how to read the name of the Chinese album on my i-pod (she's Chinese). I could read the first 3 characters but the forth was a mystery. I think she was a bit impressed. LOL

***

I just talked to her a bit (in Chinese). She's going to Spain, coz she works there for the past more than 20 years.

***

That's it- that's what I wrote on the airplane. I'm in Dresden now, Germany, and I'm sitting in Rob's uni, using his log-in to connect to the wireless internet. He's gonna come here in about 30 minutes, to meet me after class, and we'll continue the hunt for an apartment. Tomorrow I hope to write again here- I have lots to say about only one day in Dresden...

A headache and some denial

Even though we packed and sent a lot of our stuff, it still seems like we have tons of things here. I just put all of my clothes in my suitcase, without the socks & all and it's full. I only put one pair of shoes in, and I still have a few to go. Non of my coats are there (have 3 here) and I'm sure that by tomorrow, I'll find more things that didn't fit. That's after we sent 2 big boxes full of stuff to Germany already, and gave one small backpack full of stuff to Rob's colleagues to take with them to Germany this weekend when they go home. I have another small backpack full of stuff that is supposed to go to Israel- but only when I'll know if my dad is meeting me here in my last 3 days in Shanghai- I'll know whether to send it by post or give it to him. It's just amazing the amount of things ppl collect in 6 months. For a lot of reasons, one of them is obviously denial, I was a bit indifferent to the packing. Rob was a bit more worried than me, seeing all the stuff still here in our apartment, as if life is not about to change in a few days. But I still think it's an optical illusion- coz all of the furniture isn't ours- and it stays here in it's place- there is the feeling that nothing is changing. I have a little bit of a headache- even though the weather is brilliant and I was walking outside and enjoying it today. That might be the reason for my confused bundle of thoughts here... I apologize.
So- tomorrow 19:00 we give our apartment back- then going to Andrew's for one night (he's a walking hotel this guy I tell ya- with a 5 star service), I'll be borrowing Charles's big backpack (wonder if it's the same one he bought for our trip in Hainan 2 years ago) and on Saturday we have our flight to Chengdu. Therefore, I will probably not post a lot, well, I might, it's not like I'm going to a desert, but still- Blogspot is obviously blocked again in China (have I mentioned how I'd like to get out of here already???) and I'm not sure I'll be able to post from every computer here.

OK I'll stop now- coz I can't even keep up with what I'm saying- too tired, and my head hurts...

Oh! And everyone- have a happy Pessach!!!!! (it's Passover if you don't know...)

4 days to go

My flight is in 4 days and 15 hours... Not that I'm counting...

My last few days have been kinda busy. I started packing- to see what I want to take and what not. Needless to say that I was not amused by the whole packing situation. I packed one small suitcase for my dad to take for me- with all my winter clothes. I tried to stuff as many stuff as a could there- and even so- the other suitcase I'm packing for me to take- is so full and so heavy. I just don't wanna buy so much there as I did last time- I have so many clothes- I feel stupid buying more and more there-this time I'm not going to earn any money - and I just don't wanna rely on buying new things. Every hour I think about another big thing I wanna take with me- like my skiing clothes (would have sent them with my dad- but I'm afraid that there's no more space in that suitcase) and my yoga mattress (have to take it!!! Not leaving it behind- I wanna practice yoga there- even bought me a guide book!!!) or my new art cutting equipment that Rob bought me for my birthday- it's handy and I like using it... I have a huge list on my mirror (I write on it with an expo marker) and it grows and grows everyday.
I really hate packing. Especially if it's for so long... I actually have to take clothes for different temperatures- and a few different purposes (living normal life in the city + traveling). It's hard to do so- and just depressing...

***

Last night I went to Yifat's brother's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding. They did it in a reverse style- where you eat dinner before the ceremony- I found it great- and it really makes much more sense. It gives the guests something to look for the whole evening- and plus- you can't be late to the ceremony- because it is actually rather late in the schedule. The wedding itself was really nice too- nice place, nice people, nice food, funny Rabbi... LOL... Was a real show! And after the ceremony we just danced until really late. I was so drunk!!! I really cant remember how many glasses of wine I had... Got home dead tired and drunk...
unfortunately this morning I had to go to Social Security- to fix the payments to them before I go. Apparently it's gonna take 1-2 months (!!!) to send me the booklet with all the payments I have to give them... Amazing... LOL... Very efficient... Whatever- I'm gonna ask my mom to pay that for me- I'll just transfer her the money for it. What's really stupid is that as a person that doesn't work at all I pay more per month than a person who works and earns money. It's so absurd! I never took unemployment money from the government- never took advantage of the system- and that's what I get back- big payments to keep my rights in Israel... Lucky for me I still like this country enough to want to keep my rights...
So after that- I went to my gym especially to meet this guy that read my online add about my subscription (I wanted to sell the rest of it- 4 months). We met in the gym- he said he's interested. We set in front of the nice girl dealing with that kinda stuff- and he already signed the papers. Then he gave me the money for it. One forth of it. I asked- "what's this?" he answered: "the money". I said: "that's only for one month- its four times as much". He said: "oh! I didn't realize!" (obviously not the smartest guy in the world). I was annoyed, he said bye and he's sorry and left. I set there- tears in my eyes from frustration- telling the girl- I can't find anyone to take this damn subscription off of me... She was nice- and in the end- she did exactly what I wanted from starts - she said she's not suppose to do that- and actually she's not allowed to- but she'll cancel my payments... And I'm off the hook... It was really nice of her- and I hope that she won't get into trouble. Still - I kinda got what I wanted (knock on wood - hope no one finds out before it's a done deal).

OK I'm tired now... Going to sleep... In 5 days I'll be on an airplane over China...