Email to Tom

Tom,

I made is safely to my hotel in Tianjin. It is a very long way from Hickory.

My initial impression of China was at the airport. There was a soldier saluting the plane as it came to the gate. We disembark and walk to immigration. The officer behind the glass gave a smile and "hello" as I approached. Then his facial expression changed. He studied, or appeared to, my passport with a frown. He kept looking at the photo page with a grimace. Oh my, I am going to a labor camp. Then he stamps the passport and sends me on my way. More guards. I have to show my luggage check ticket with my bag. Then there were soldiers/police on guard and at attention while leaving the baggage area.

There was a group of people waiting for arrivals in the main terminal lobby. Some with signs. No one for me. I sat down and waited for a few minutes. Then called a colleague. He assured me someone had come for me. He would find out what was going on and call me back. After hanging up with him, a well dress gentleman approached me with a sign and I had a ride to the hotel.

The ride to the hotel took about 45 minutes. The traffic was light with mostly container trucks and some automobiles. The divided highway had several rows of trees on either side. I suppose to green the roadway in warm weather. There were toll gates. There is some traffic control, but a horn and some fearlessness seems to be the way to get around.

I am recording my trip on a blog. It is scopro.blogspot.com.


Scott