Days One and Two

Our trip over was mostly uneventful, only punctuated by the United baggage agents insisting on charging us for bicycles, even though United had assured us over the phone prior to this that they follow the baggage guidelines of the named operator (Asiana Airlines, in this case) on codeshare flights. Asiana doesn't charge, but good ol' Dale Slosky and his supervisor Lydia Martinez just couldn't bring themselves to NOT charge the $175 each that United usually levies on their own flights. Customer relations eventually gave us a flight credit in excess of this amount, since we were told there would be no charge by United previously to this, but the hassle factor was definitely there. Note to self: when talking to customer service about baggage policies (or anything else!), get a name and take down the date and exactly what was said, and request that the agent log it into your their system so it can be associated with your ticket. 

We stop in Los Angeles, giving us the opportunity to navigate the disarray that is the Tom Bradley terminal. Then, twelve hours Asiana to Seoul. A few Korean won on credit buys us some weird but tasty donuts with crunchy bits on top. Incheon airport is new, clean, and luxurious... very nice.

We arrive in Guangzhou in the morning local time. Aside from Shanghai (which was built on deltal land that wasn't even there three hundred years ago) Guangzhou is among the least ancient of China's major cities. We debate whether to stay a night, or catching an overnight train directly to Guizhou province. In the end, we decide that we're feeling pretty good and catch an early afternoon train. Soft sleeper is relatively luxurious, and we figure we might as well get over jet lag while en route than just cool our heels at a Guanzhou hotel. The nice thing is, of all the modes of transportation, the train is the only one that allows you the chance to arrive at your destination MORE rested and relaxed than when you left. Traveling by automobile, even if you're not the one driving, always means that by the end of a driving day, you're pretty well wiped out. And why? All you did was sit down all day. Airplane travel is similar- always a bit tiring. With sleeper-car train travel, however, travel time is relaxation time. You have sheets and a pillow, and you are are lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking motion of the train. Wonderful!