Another long one: Throughout my travels, there were times that sent chills down my spine. The fear was more from uncertainty than actual face-to-face circumstances. Very seldom, anyone accompanied me but appreciated when it happened. This one time, I wished someone were with me. I flew from Hong Kong to Shanghai to meet my host for a trip inland to visit three companies, which made products that fit into our vast product line. The flight was uneventful being nighttime, so countryside viewing was not an option. Conversation with anyone was not in the cards either, language barrier. Reading a good book was the only form of entertainment. Upon arrival, going through customs was normal. The agent who checked my passport asked a few additional questions about my Visa, but nothing out of the ordinary. After collecting my luggage and proceeding into the terminal, there were two men in black suits waiting with a sign saying, “Bovi.” Smiling (universal form of recognition), bowing (honorable greeting), and saying hello in Chinese (rehearsed before trip), one of the men handed me a note. With humble apologies, my host was detained and not able to accompany me on the journey inland. His two associates would drive me to the hotel. He explained the trip would take almost three hours and I would need to have my passport with Visa ready for two checkpoints along the way. I should also be prepared to have my luggage inspected. The final note was the one that sent fear into my body; neither one of my guides spoke English. Just go with it, was the feeling I had. The trip went from the bright lights of Shanghai to utter darkness of the inland. The only streetlights were at checkpoints or passing a nearby town. The two-lane road was very smooth, but there was no traffic. We maybe saw three cars for the hundreds of miles of driving. Sitting in the back seat of this Limo, two strange men in the front seat, pitch black outside all reminded me of a movie, which did not have a very happy conclusion. Each checkpoint required sign language. It is amazing how this form of communication is also universal. In between times, the two men would talk and laugh between each other. After a while, the laughter was contagious even though I had no idea what was being said. The hours felt like eternity. In a distance, the sky was beginning to brighten. The non-driver turned and motioned that this was our destination. A shower of warmth and relief flooded into my heart and soul. I made it! Upon arrival, the city was as normal as any other around the world. The hotel was the same. My host met me at the front door and almost carried me to the registration desk apologizing for everything, in English. The registration was quick; the kitchen had a small staff waiting for me to prepare a snack; and the room is ready when I was. This experience was one of my brushes with fear. Having a positive and determined attitude are good to have, but most of all, having faith, not only in God (who heard quite a bit from me during that trip), but also in others. The rest of the trip was not as eventful as the arrival, but it also presented me with many more memories and stories.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 11:53:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015