I was hoping for a similar flight experience home as the one there. But it was different.
China Eastern plane was cramped as usual. But at least the flight from Lijiang to Kunming was short. Then at the end of the flight everyone was getting ready to get off the plane, my dad asked a person standing up to help him take his camera bag from the storage compartment on top, because we were all still sitting down waiting for them to get off. We were quite surprised that the person asked him to take it himself later, in a nonchalant manner. This are the type of people that paint China in a bad light. But I'll still go back because of the others.
Kunming's like much more urbanised. It's like Singapore but much more dustier, and slightly uglier as it had less urban planning plus old buildings I guess. And less trees along the roads like what Singapore attempts to do. And I had been used to uber clean and clear air in Lijiang, and suddenly you plonk me in this place. And I had also been used to seeing a mountain in the landscape wherenever I turn, and suddenly it's all buildings, which was what I commented to Maddy. Did you know you can like see the moon whatever time of the day in Lijiang? It's wonderful. And at night it's uber bright.
We had arranged to meet up with Suni at the airport. He's under YWAM but in China as a student learning Chinese, not a missionary. Apparently you can't say missionary in China as we all had to refer to the word as M, haha. Then I contemplated standing in the middle of the road and shouting "I'm a missionary!" and see police appear from nowhere to drag me away. Suni had been staying there for quite long. Ben's met him but I hadn't met him until yesterday. He's a huge guy, looks like a wrestler but he's very gentle and friendly. BFG lol. He lead us to take a bus down to somewhere. Then he brought us to a restaurant for lunch which serves very nice roasted duck, like one of the restaurants Hu Mama brought us to in Lijiang, but more posh. The skin is like Beijing Duck, crispy and nice, though we also ordered Beijing Duck later with the wrap and stuff. The other dishes were nice too.
After that he brought us to this area, an expat area in Kunming, much like the open area in Bugis Junction, and showed us a church. It's supposed to be a branch of a state church, but it was surely more than that. Cause it was quite open and very much like a church in Singapore, not like a state-controlled church. Suni told us it normally overflows during services onto the street. The he added its also because its warmer on the street due to the sun and gave his jolly laugh. Haha. Then he brought us to a gift shop just down the street. It was practically screaming Christian gift shop. You go in and they sell everything that's gotta do with it. Apparently Suni's friends with the storekeeper, who probably goes to that church too. He's the first China person on this trip that I heard that speaks good English. Very friendly too. Bought a shirt which says "Pray Hard", with a picture below which jeans with those knee holes. Then "1 Thessalonians 5:17 below". Then walked down to a bakery, which was owned by a local Christian too I think. Saw a lot of ang mohs man.
Was quite surprised on how open they were allowed to be. But Suni told us about some instances in which the council or governor there is now more allowing of Christianity. Like how one of the council people or someone commented that they rather let more churches be built then to build more prisons. Amen to that. Cause the churches are bringing about reform. He told us that at the halfway house he worked at, they once dismissed the staff cause all were Christian workers. But now they don't mind because they can see that they are helping the drug addicts and such. Then he told us about how some people had a house church. And a neighbour complained to the police that they were too loud, due to their instruments used during worship. And the police just told them to move to another place that won't disturb the neighbours. Lol.
Took taxis back to the airport and hurried on the Thai Airways plane. I was expecting a good flight on Thai Airways like on the trip to China but it was going to be different. They served lunch, but it was mid-afternoon. And I ate everything and helped my sister eat some also. Bad move. Ate some peanuts I bought earlier at a supermarket in Lijiang. Poured the lot into a vomit bag, so it was pretty funny. Saw a whole group of Singapore Swimming Club kids on the flight as well.
Transit at the Bangkok Airport with some long name was for quite a long time. And the air-con was off so it was very hot. Was very bored and already quite tired by then. Tried to play some card games with Joy but was still bored. Maddy and Tammie got the toner and moisturiser from a duty free shop as a surprise gift for Ben and me, as they were teaching us how to remove pimples haha.
The next flight was back to Singapore. They served dinner which was exactly the same as "lunch". And had no appetite. The people were very busy or something cause it was very hard to get service. But the Thai Airways is quite good as the food is normally okay and service is normally okay and they had Time and Newsweek and The Economist. But it was the ultimate. Cause I was reading Time after the "dinner" and accidentally knocked my drink of Sprite which spilled over my right leg. And that took the cake and put me in a bad mood. So I went to sleep instead till the end of the flight.
Didn't want to stay moody and tried to be better but couldn't, more so to the tiredness. The Sprite had already dried and I was in a
couldn't be bothered and just wanted to go home kind of mood. Maddy and Tammie went off after collecting the luggage, and Dad bought some wine from the duty free shop. Our whole family was rather grumpy and irritable already, because we were all very tired. Maybe except Joy. Then we took two taxis home, cause there was so much stuff.
You know, the feeling of returning to Singapore is still so surreal. Walking off the plane into customs queues and then to collect luggage from rotating conveyor belts while throngs of people wait behind the glass but not for you. Well maybe some. And you're all tired and dazed and just a zombie, and glad and sad at the same time to be back home. Though this time it seems I may have found another one.
Today was all fun a games with siblings at this malfunctioning computer. Attempted to play a few card games. Tried building a house of cards, and gave up at the second level when it all fell down. Waking up late plus long awaited mum-bought char kueh for breakfast and Mum's home cooked fish for lunch and KFC for dinner thanks God and mum for all the food. Haven't stepped out of the house maybe because I'm a nerdgeek or a homeboy or something or that I'm afraid I won't see a mountain but lots of buildings instead, or maybe I'm plain lazy or maybe I just was with siblings.
Will blog more about the trip itself another day. When I'm bored and have a lot of time. But I really must blog about it.
