Note: this dispatch was written while in the plane, but I'm posting it now that I've arrived in China
I'm all seated (or, more accurately, wedged in) on my plane, about to take off for a 17 day trip to China. I'm flying into Hong Kong, and then traveling by shuttle and car to Dongguan. I'm typing this on my BlackBerry, sitting in the cattle car (aka "economy"), ready for 14 hours of airborne bliss. I just figured I'd send a final dispatch before heading into the heavens.
This trip to China came about quite suddenly, which isn't necessarily bad, except for the fact that I'm missing a trip the Sundance Film Festival that I planned with several of my friends a full year ago.
Instead, now I find myself en route to the old world, getting ready to spend 2.5 weeks in a factory town outside of Shenzhen, fine tuning gadgets, coaxing Chinese factories into making things for us that they don't think can be made, and soaking in the culture.
I've been instructed by my friends, and especially by my parents, to be safe and watch out for myself. My poor parents must be freaking out that their son is going to China on a moment's notice, at least based on the volume and nature of the emails I've been getting from home. My parents have also told me that they won't pay ransom, so I guess that means I'll have to avoid getting kidnapped (I've added that to my to-do list... or should that be "not to-do").
Thankfully, however, at least one friend of mine has said that she knows some people who specialize in dealing with foreign kidnappings. I told her I'd be sure to take her up on her offer of sending in the commandos, etc. should the need arise. That is, of course, assuming I can send word of my capture to her via carrier pigeon (or albatross?) from my dingy prison cell.
Hopefully, however, none of this will be necessary and I'll return in 17 short days with my horizons broadened, my lungs free of bird flu, and my new concubine in tow.
It's worth pointing out that more than half of my luggage consists of food I'm bringing to our expats working in China. The "food mule", as I've affectionately dubbed suitcase #2, weighed in at 76.4 lbs, fully 26.4 lbs over the limit. I had to shift 6.4 lbs to my other case when I checked in so that I'd only pay $50 (for 51-70lb bags) instead of the $330 fine for bags over 70lbs.
Apparently, in addition to making gadgets, my company is attempting to combat hunger in China, one food suitcase at a time.
Ok, the flight attendant is now yelling at me to shut my BlackBerry off, so ta-ta for now. Watch this space for more info on my great Chinese adventure.