China Travels | Phil & Sabine's Excellent Adventure
August - Summer holidays
3rd -23rd August
Flying with Aeroflot was almost a surreal experience. Even prior to our flight, when friends and family asked how we were getting back to the UK, when we said that we were flying with Aeroflot via Moscow, many just gave a wry smile. Our flight was very early in the morning and so we boarded rather bleary eyed. However, even at that early hour, it was still rather noticeable how the stewardesses were at least in their fifties and with bleached “blonde” hair sporting a stiff looking matching A lined skirt and jacket in bright red. The plane was basic and did not have the usual mod cons such as personal TV screens and no alcoholic drinks. They only spoke Russian and a little English and so our Chinese co-passengers spent most of the flight unaware of the safety rules and any instructions to return to seats during turbulence. Fortunately, the Chinese are excellent sleepers and can fall asleep very easily and very quickly, irrespective of their surroundings. Some did not even hear the stewardesses say “chicken” or fish” when dispatching the breakfast, (I know, not the usual sort of meal) in what sounded like a Russian mafia voice over! About 8 hours later, we arrived safely in Moscow where we waited a few hours for our transfer flight to London. The time passed relatively quickly as we were both enjoying our Stieg Larsson books. However, there was a still a little bit of time for people watching. The Russians have very distinct features; generally quite tall and dark with distinctive eyes and noses. I have to say though that the women we saw were often trying too hard to look younger. (Shame on them!) The men looked quite muscular with rather large paunches and had chiselled jaw lines. By way of a disclaimer, this is what the Russians looked like who I saw……
Our 4 hour flight to London, felt a bit like déjà vû! Chicken or fish were the standard meals and the stewardesses looked exactly the same, although I don’t think they could have been! By this time, we were feeling quite tired and spent most the flight asleep. It was only the pilot’s perfect landing that roused us from our slumber. Thank you Aeroflot. You got us back safely. Would we fly with them again. Most definitely. As the saying goes; “You get what you pay for “. They offer the cheapest tickets, are a no frills airline, but still get us from A to B on time and safely.
In London, we caught the tube to Kings Cross, went for an Italian meal across the road from the station, before Phil and I boarded different trains to take us to our parents.
Back in Beverley, I have to say that I spent the next few days eating, eating and oh yes eating. It felt good to be back, and not strange as I thought it would do. It was lovely seeing family and friends again. It also felt nice strolling into town to have a look at the shops. Having lived abroad in a country that really is quite different to what you are used to, you do notice different things. Culture shock number 1: I can buy clothes and shoes here that fit me. There are some sizes that are too big, even in women’s sizes. Culture shock number 2; when in a shop, nobody either a) stares at me, b) follows me around or c) tries to get me to buythe most expensive item in the shop. Whilst in Beverley, I treated myself to a haircut. In Xifeng, having my haircut is usually a bit traumatic; one inch= three inches and I am often persuaded to have a perm. Basic language skills on my behalf also mean that I never quite get what I want. However, the good thing is that a cut and blow dry costs the grand total of 80p. Not so in England….
The next few days were spent enjoying the culinary skills of my mother, helping around the house and meeting up with friends.
The week after, I met up with Phil who in the meantime had been busy fixing his leaky garage roof. We met in Stamford and called in at my house to do some repairs; namely repaint the living room ceiling and repaint the bathroom tiles which had started to blister and chip. Not as simple as it sounds but, I won’t bore you with the details! We stayed with some friends and one evening went to the cinema and another night had a lovely dinner. It was great. Just like the old days!
Flying with Aeroflot was almost a surreal experience. Even prior to our flight, when friends and family asked how we were getting back to the UK, when we said that we were flying with Aeroflot via Moscow, many just gave a wry smile. Our flight was very early in the morning and so we boarded rather bleary eyed. However, even at that early hour, it was still rather noticeable how the stewardesses were at least in their fifties and with bleached “blonde” hair sporting a stiff looking matching A lined skirt and jacket in bright red. The plane was basic and did not have the usual mod cons such as personal TV screens and no alcoholic drinks. They only spoke Russian and a little English and so our Chinese co-passengers spent most of the flight unaware of the safety rules and any instructions to return to seats during turbulence. Fortunately, the Chinese are excellent sleepers and can fall asleep very easily and very quickly, irrespective of their surroundings. Some did not even hear the stewardesses say “chicken” or fish” when dispatching the breakfast, (I know, not the usual sort of meal) in what sounded like a Russian mafia voice over! About 8 hours later, we arrived safely in Moscow where we waited a few hours for our transfer flight to London. The time passed relatively quickly as we were both enjoying our Stieg Larsson books. However, there was a still a little bit of time for people watching. The Russians have very distinct features; generally quite tall and dark with distinctive eyes and noses. I have to say though that the women we saw were often trying too hard to look younger. (Shame on them!) The men looked quite muscular with rather large paunches and had chiselled jaw lines. By way of a disclaimer, this is what the Russians looked like who I saw……
Our 4 hour flight to London, felt a bit like déjà vû! Chicken or fish were the standard meals and the stewardesses looked exactly the same, although I don’t think they could have been! By this time, we were feeling quite tired and spent most the flight asleep. It was only the pilot’s perfect landing that roused us from our slumber. Thank you Aeroflot. You got us back safely. Would we fly with them again. Most definitely. As the saying goes; “You get what you pay for “. They offer the cheapest tickets, are a no frills airline, but still get us from A to B on time and safely.
In London, we caught the tube to Kings Cross, went for an Italian meal across the road from the station, before Phil and I boarded different trains to take us to our parents.
Back in Beverley, I have to say that I spent the next few days eating, eating and oh yes eating. It felt good to be back, and not strange as I thought it would do. It was lovely seeing family and friends again. It also felt nice strolling into town to have a look at the shops. Having lived abroad in a country that really is quite different to what you are used to, you do notice different things. Culture shock number 1: I can buy clothes and shoes here that fit me. There are some sizes that are too big, even in women’s sizes. Culture shock number 2; when in a shop, nobody either a) stares at me, b) follows me around or c) tries to get me to buythe most expensive item in the shop. Whilst in Beverley, I treated myself to a haircut. In Xifeng, having my haircut is usually a bit traumatic; one inch= three inches and I am often persuaded to have a perm. Basic language skills on my behalf also mean that I never quite get what I want. However, the good thing is that a cut and blow dry costs the grand total of 80p. Not so in England….
The next few days were spent enjoying the culinary skills of my mother, helping around the house and meeting up with friends.
The week after, I met up with Phil who in the meantime had been busy fixing his leaky garage roof. We met in Stamford and called in at my house to do some repairs; namely repaint the living room ceiling and repaint the bathroom tiles which had started to blister and chip. Not as simple as it sounds but, I won’t bore you with the details! We stayed with some friends and one evening went to the cinema and another night had a lovely dinner. It was great. Just like the old days!
The next few days were spent visiting Phil’s mum and dad. We had a lovely day at the seaside on the east coast. As is often the case in August, the wind was blowing and there was a chill in the air! Typical summer weather in the UK really! Not to worry, it just made the fish and chip taste even better!
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After saying our goodbyes we went cross country to Manchester to help Phil’s sister and partner with a move and to say a big hello to some other friends too. One was celebrating the big four “oh” with a BBQ. Didn’t look a day over 30! (Honest Debs!) Especially the boys, who enjoyed the trampoline!
After Manchester it was back to Beverley for a few days; chilling out and catching up with friends again. Oh, yes and eating a mighty fine Indian meal. Every trip to Beverley wouldnot be complete without a trip to the seaside and so to celebrate mum and dad’s wedding anniversary, we (the dog as well of course) all piled in to the car and drove to Bridlington for a very tasty meal and a walk at Flamborough Head.
The day after, we caught the train down to London and stayed with friends, where we spent a few days being tourists; visiting the Science Museum, checking out the latest pet accessories in Harrods(!) and surfing on Brighton beach. Oh yes, and eating fish and chips from Harry Ramsden’s. We surfed during the day and then caught an evening flight back to Beijing via Moscow. How cool is that!!
27th August – 2nd September
Back in Beijing, we spent a couple of days in the city centre, visiting the Olympic Village and recovering from jetlag before leaving to go to Fragrant Hill, about an hour from Beijing city centre, where we took part in a VSO strategy workshop for a few days. We then caught a night train to Xian where I continued on to Xifeng while Phil stayed in Xian for an additional meeting.
Back in Beijing, we spent a couple of days in the city centre, visiting the Olympic Village and recovering from jetlag before leaving to go to Fragrant Hill, about an hour from Beijing city centre, where we took part in a VSO strategy workshop for a few days. We then caught a night train to Xian where I continued on to Xifeng while Phil stayed in Xian for an additional meeting.
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