Night flight

We flew though the night to Beijing, an almost continuous night with the sun peeking up from the North - slightly disorienting. After watching hours of movies and television I finally convinced the children to sleep.

It was a smooth flight, and an efficient entry through the new, spectacular and I'm sure uncharacteristically empty Beijing airport. We walked past an empty queue maze for the taxi stand that would have easily handled a popular ride at Disneyland.

As we started away in the taxi I told the kids that every taxi ride has the potential to be an adventure. In this case we had agreed that Bess would ride with Jinshi and his family, while Elaine would ride with Evie, Jess and I. It started with the driver telling us he couldn't take us, after the other car had already left. Then when Elaine asked the fellow managing the queue, he told her that was the cab we should take.

We had planned our first night at a hotel in the newly created arts district, close to the airport. Far too close for the driver's liking after waiting in the rank for a fare. A trip downtown would have been much more lucrative. He eventually agreed, but there were heated words between the driver and Elaine, and the driver and the other car through Elaine"s walkie-talky. The kids and I couldn't understand a word, but I explained the context to the kids and the tone carried the rest.

We arrived at the hotel before the other car, and our driver was all smiles again when I gave him a small tip, which Elaine had to insist on after he returned it to her.

A small but very comfortable room for a very short night's sleep.