Well, we made our trek from Ottawa to Newark(1 hr) and Newark to Shanghai (13.5 hrs). Even the long flight, we apprehended so much, went well possibly because of the extensive personal entertainment system offered on-board of our plane. We got a bit nervous arriving on the tarmac in Shanghai when we learned that some folks from the Chinese health department would be coming on-board the plane to take everyone’s temperature. Equipped with a laser light reader, the two health teams entered the plane in full quarantine gear and went through each row. Just when we thought we were in the clear the lady in front of us required an additional detailed thermometer reading. Our level of concern escalated a bit because we had heard that once someone is identified with a fever the passengers around the patient are also quarantined. I guess we were lucky, the detailed temperature did not alarm anyone from the health team. N1H1 is taken very seriously. Each passenger has to fill a form to: confirm their health situation, where they plan to be in the next 7 days and finally the seat number they occupied on the plane!!

We were greeted at the airport by Jenny’s nephew and wife and driven to the home of Jenny’s younger brother. In less than an hour, we were already settled in. After an early supper, we still had enough energy to drop by the local hair salon. Our first few hours in Shanghai reminded us of the heat and humidity that we would be facing for most of our trip.

It is always a bit strange having the sense of loosing a day due to a long flight. Saturday, we ventured out to exchange some of money, visited the market around Yueyuan Garden and booked some plane tickets for our next destination scheduled for Monday to Guiling. In the evening, we went to the restaurant with the families of Jenny’s two brothers.

Jenny’s long awaiting moment finally come up on Sunday. She had been looking forward to meeting up with a number of elementary and high school classmates in addition to her elementary school teacher. The group meet at a restaurant in the fashionable French Concession district. Everyone enjoyed remembering their young school years and catching on life in general.

Oh… did I mention it hot and humid in Shanghai?