Departing Hohhot going to Jinan

We went on the internet at the guesthouse to try and book plane tickets back to Jinan for the next day. Still none of my cards were accepted and this time neither was Barbara's. I told Barbara not to worry about it we would just go to the airport and get a ticket. Barbara was not overly comfortable about this as she is one of those people who needs to have her tickets in her hands a month before, packed 3 weeks before and arrives at the airport 2 hours before she is required.

It is pouring with rain, we negotiate our way out of the muddy lane and find a taxi. The taxi driver takes us to the airport. We go up to the ticket counter and request two tickets for Jinan. We are told that there are no tickets available. Barbara asks when are the next available flights. She is told tomorrow. I say no we are going on standby. The lady at the ticket counter tells us to go and sit down and come back at 5.15. The flight was to leave at 5.50 pm. We had a two hour wait.

We waited in the airport, meanwhile Barbara is thinking of other alternatives. I tell her not to worry we will get on this flight.

At 5 pm I go back to the ticket counter and I'm told they have one ticket and to come back at 5.15 pm. I go back and tell Barbara the news. She then starts to go into alternative plans again. I tell her not to worry we are getting on this flight.

At 5.15 pm we go back and they print a ticket for Barbara. She tells me she is not leaving without me. I tell her it will be OK I will get a ticket. They check in Barbara's luggage. They call the boarding. Barbara was anxious -'I'm not leaving here without you.' I tell her not to worry they are just playing a game cause they don't like you turning up to the airport without tickets. Bums on seats is dollars in the pocket. I'm getting on this plane.

They hand write me a ticket and check my luggage in under Barbara's name. We are then escorted to our plane. We are right down the back with the cattle. The plane takes off and there are still empty seats on the plane! We finally arrive in Jinan at 7.15 pm. Thankful for the landing and being back into a known area.

We jump into a taxi and in my best Chinese voice I tell the driver where we want to go. Beautiful, he understands me.