I made it!

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007



I’m still in disbelief, but I’m actually here. I’m actually in China and it seems like a dream. I got to JFK about 10:30pm Monday night but it didn’t take off until 1:30am on Tuesday. Thanks to everyone who kept me company!:) and sorry to those I didn’t get to talk to. I’m also scared of flying, but it actually wasn’t as bad this time. Maybe because I took those motion sickness pills (thanks Julie!). But I slept for most of my flight. I would say for at least 9 hours straight and then I took a nap after watching The Prestige. It was a pretty good movie I thought. But as soon as I got on that plane, I basically passed out. And what do you know! The plane wasn’t filled and I had the 4 middle seats to myself. As I was about to sprawl out on the chairs and make a comfy bed, this guy came and took over my free chairs. I wasn’t too happy about that but I managed to steal at least one of them back. There was also this guy who had the window seat to the left of me that was really retarded. He smoked in the bathroom and made the fire detector go off. That was a disaster. He claimed that he use to be able to smoke in the bathrooms, even though there were signs ALL over the place saying no smoking.

But anyway, after I got off the plane, I went through customs and claimed my luggage. Let this be a warning to you know, never do what I did. Plus I knew I wasn’t suppose to, it seemed to happen so fast. That’s why I don’t like flying alone. But thank goodness I’m okay and writing my story. So I got my luggage and I’m thinking, wow my mom is so smart …not. She booked my flight so I would get here at 4:30am, when no one is awake. Good job. So I’m thinking should I just chill at the airport or should I just go to Fudan and see what’s going on. So I sat for about 5 min. because I started getting creeped out. Chinese men are CREEPY! So then I decide, alright I’ll grab a taxi and get to the school. So I’m on my way to the taxi line when this guy comes up to me and asks me where I’m going and I’m like…taxi. Yea…I forget how to say it in Chinese. But then he’s like, I’m your cab. And I’m like uhh…no that’s okay. And I think everyone knew I was kinda freaked out by all this but no one did anything and the guy took my luggage and the address in my hand and I was like, crap. So I follow him and I’m thinking, well I know some kung-fu. I could slice him, plus whatever I learned from those women defense classes. So he takes me into this elevator and I’m like oh no, I’m doomed. But nothing happened, he asked me if I came from Japan and I said no, I was from the US. Maybe I should have told him I was from Japan. Then he led me to this scary car far far away. I was trying to get my luggage back because where he led me, I actually say the legit taxi drivers. But too late. He through my stuff in the trunk and I’m thinking…where’s that bug spray…I could spray it in his eye. But it was in my suitcase, so no luck. So I’m the car and he tells the driver to take me to Fudan. 5 min. into the drive the guy stops the car, and I’m thinking…crap. But only to realize that he didn’t know how to get to the school. So he takes out his maps and starts asking me all these questions about the location. How am I suppose to know? I just flew here! But it takes him about 10 min. to figure out where we’re suppose to go and in the mean time I’m trying to figure out how to say turn around and take me back to the airport. But no luck. So then he continues driving. Please keep in mind that Chinese people also have the reputation as being one of the worse drivers. And so it lives. This guy was seriously a scary ass driver. He would weave in and out, take 2 lanes, cut trucks off, and at one point, he accidentally took the wrong turn, so he backed up! I thought that was the end. Phew. But I’m still here! I thought he was going to take me somewhere else than the school. He kept asking me questions, and then resulted in the comment, Americans have money. And I think, crap, he’s going to rob me! And then another comment later on, you’re really pretty. And I’m just like shit. So my hearts pounding and I’m thinking, I need to get out of here. But we finally arrive at the school, THANK GOODNESS! He tells me the trip is 250 RMB but I point out that it’s only suppose to be 170 RMB but he said it’s not his call. Plus he wouldn’t give me my luggage in his trunk if I didn’t give him the money. I’m thinking I’ll sacrifice the $10 US difference in order to keep my life. Then he has the guts to ask me for a tip, and basically I was like hell no. You overcharged me and you didn’t know how to get here. So I basically just walked away and then there were security guards, SAFE! So I went to the international dorms and registered. I’m in room 1835. It’s not too bad. Pretty roomy and they provided sheets, pillows, and a blanket. I’m on the 18th floor of 23? By the time I was settled it was 6:30pm and not a soul in site. So I took a nap and woke up and went roaming to try to find some life. No luck again, so here I write this entry. By the time I find out how to get the internet, I’ll probably post another entry as well. And ew, the water smells. Just thought I’d share. So I’m off to find some people again to try to get some guidance. Until next time, I’ll try to make smarter decisions.