The "young Chinese girl" from whom Pete got the phone number was, more accurately, a 20-year-old Chinese woman studying biosomething at the University of Georgia (Go Spiders) flying home to spend two weeks with her parents. Methinks she gave Pete her number so he would not somehow feel neglected or unloved after the moment she and I shared during the flight (picture below). It was a moment I will never forget because I don't remember it at all.
Well I am happy to say that majority of us made it without problem to our hotel in Shanghai.
Now admittedly most of our contingent spent the first few minutes off the plane after our 15.2 hour flight was spent stretching, acclimating, and determining if our phones worked here. Thankfully, mine does.
We were met at the airport by one of our faculty, Michael Lord (our fearless leader, picture attached) and our guides.
After situating luggage we boarded the MagLev train for a quick 7 minute journey at 430 km/h from the airport to Shanghai proper.
My limited first impressions are that we have a great group, and travelling in China is going to be a truly eye opening experience. More to come, I promise.
JGM
