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Departure Day: Day One
Off and running or ….flying as the case may be. For the most part everybody showed up on time and ready to go. Our buses shuttle us off to a skytrain station two stops from the airport as we were not supposed to be allowed to unload right at the Terminal. One very special bus somehow managed to get away with this and the rest of us were not bitter at all!
After a one and a half hour wait in line just to get checked in, we had a short time to grab an overly expensive bite to eat and then start boarding for Shanghai. For some reason the airline seemed to be very surprised that a high school band would actually bring large band instruments and percussion gear for our trip. Mr. Peake worked his magic and we got going with all gear in tow. So far only one camera lost (but magically found!) and 4 pairs of finely tailored pants delivered just in time to board the plane. Thanks Mom! (That’s from Joffrey)
With our first flight lasting 12 hrs we had a lot of time to try and find things to keep us amused in order to pass the time. Decks of cards, iPods, and laptops came out of the woodwork throughout the plane to help provide distraction. Emerson gave us a detailed overview of the Sunshine Coast as we passed overhead, telling tales of his summer adventures. Rebecca somehow managed to smuggle what seemed like 20 lbs of bulk candy in her carry on but was kind enough to share.
Jason, Stephen, Alisdair and Matt timed themselves to see how long it would take to navigate one full lap of the Economy section without knocking over a stewardess. Alisdair lost badly and fortunately no airline employees were injured as a result of the impromptu race. By about hour 3 we had our signs of tired students dropping off for their first nap for the trip. It was at this point I found out that Brandon Hesketh drools…….a lot!
We had two meals on the flight and then finally got to the Shanghai airport around 4:30 pm local time. After a layover of 3.5 hrs we boarded a flight for Beijing. Most of the kids were so exhausted at this point that the slept for the two hour flight and woke up as we were landing.
Off to the hotel to try and get some sleep………I have never stayed in a 5 star hotel. Should be quite nice.
Off and running or ….flying as the case may be. For the most part everybody showed up on time and ready to go. Our buses shuttle us off to a skytrain station two stops from the airport as we were not supposed to be allowed to unload right at the Terminal. One very special bus somehow managed to get away with this and the rest of us were not bitter at all!
After a one and a half hour wait in line just to get checked in, we had a short time to grab an overly expensive bite to eat and then start boarding for Shanghai. For some reason the airline seemed to be very surprised that a high school band would actually bring large band instruments and percussion gear for our trip. Mr. Peake worked his magic and we got going with all gear in tow. So far only one camera lost (but magically found!) and 4 pairs of finely tailored pants delivered just in time to board the plane. Thanks Mom! (That’s from Joffrey)
With our first flight lasting 12 hrs we had a lot of time to try and find things to keep us amused in order to pass the time. Decks of cards, iPods, and laptops came out of the woodwork throughout the plane to help provide distraction. Emerson gave us a detailed overview of the Sunshine Coast as we passed overhead, telling tales of his summer adventures. Rebecca somehow managed to smuggle what seemed like 20 lbs of bulk candy in her carry on but was kind enough to share.
Jason, Stephen, Alisdair and Matt timed themselves to see how long it would take to navigate one full lap of the Economy section without knocking over a stewardess. Alisdair lost badly and fortunately no airline employees were injured as a result of the impromptu race. By about hour 3 we had our signs of tired students dropping off for their first nap for the trip. It was at this point I found out that Brandon Hesketh drools…….a lot!
We had two meals on the flight and then finally got to the Shanghai airport around 4:30 pm local time. After a layover of 3.5 hrs we boarded a flight for Beijing. Most of the kids were so exhausted at this point that the slept for the two hour flight and woke up as we were landing.
Off to the hotel to try and get some sleep………I have never stayed in a 5 star hotel. Should be quite nice.
Thank you! So good to hear what you have all been doing.
ReplyDeletePlease wish Brook A HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY from his family!!!!xo and for all those canucks fans.......first home game in 43 days.....
ReplyDeleteCanucks 5
Ottawa 1
GO Canucks GO !!!!
March 7, 2010
ReplyDeleteHere is my text for the night; we flew 30 hours to see a country that is snowing. We are all grumpy and tired, and we have to keep freaking waiting for everything!!! I just might come back home insane. Not to mention we have to wake up in 7 hours for breakfast... Arrrg!!!