Below was a running account I kept but before you get to that, let me fill you in on from when I woke up.
That's a little misleading, actually. I didn't manage to get any sleep last night. Nevertheless, at 0320 I took a shower, Doudou (who slept soundly by all accounts) made some coffee and moved the bags next to the lift. I dressed and had a final little clean and then we set off for McDs for breakfast. When we got to the bus station we were told that the highway to Beijing had been closed due to the dense fog.
Just before 5a.m. I called my boss, Sam and explained the situation. He called his driver and asked him to keep abreast of the road traffic situation.
I went back to college and Doudou said her good-byes to me and said hello to Tanya and SLHC.
It go to about 0730 and I was resigned to the fact that making the flight was impossible.
The phone rang and the driver was on his way. The highway had just been re-opened.
From my phone notes:
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The driver and I set off from college at 0804. The fog is worse now than at 5 this morning! we have exactly 3 hours and 6 minutes for me to be at the checkin desk on the 5th floor of t3. No chance, in my opinion. I am sitting in the back, taking no chances.
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It is 1007 and we are about 100km from the airport, as the crow flies. Conditions are greatly improved -viz now 300m- and the driver is doing 120! Traffic will start soon.
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Its 1100 exactly and we are off the highways and into proper traffic.
Check-in closed and we are now on the airport expressway. So close and yet so far. The driver did a great job.
The ladies at the desk were just doing their job, I guess. My ticket is not transferable and I must pay an extra 1200 yuan to use the ticket for another flight. No stand bys are available and the next flight is Sunday. Of course they are happy for me to spend an extra 4800yuan to upgrade me to plus! That means about 1 inch of extra legroom.
I weighed up my options and now, at 2pm I am on the bus back to 秦皇岛.
I will sort the mess out this evening and try again next week.
1630- awoke from a rather frightening aeroplane dream, I am both on and off the flight.
1710- outside the village of lulong, 60km from 秦皇岛 and were at a complete standstill on the highway. Engines are turned off and other drivers are wandering around, I guess doing the same as we are and wondering what has happened ahead.
We haven't moved in an hour.
There's been a huge crash and that's the delay. We're being directed off the highway.
2101 and I'm back in Qinhuangdao. I haven't eaten anything except for peanuts and drank nothing but an espresso at the airport. I last visted the 'Gents' at 1245.
I must thank Sam, my boss whilst I was employed at E&A College. He played a blinder today, and stayed in contact and concerned throughout this whole ordeal. Albeit I've lost my apartment he's sorted me out with another for the time being.
Wait for the next entry!
PS. The semi-transparent red circle on the images above is my car.
