a wasted day

One hour before the arrival time of the Greek group, or half an hour earlier than usual, the driver and I were already driving in the direction of the airport, considering the new security checks on the high way might consume some time.

After some discuss about this group, we quickly shifted our attention to the news. Just one day before, there were two explosions on local public buses in Kunming, the capital of southern Yunnan province; AND, also in a Tibetan lamasery in Gansu, a northern western province, an explosion consumed two lives. We were not sure if any such would happen in our city, but soon the driver kinda comforted by explaining Shanghai, so close by, should be a better target choice than our lesser known hometown, for those terrorists. After a brief happy moment, we quickly fell into a long silence when our van smoothly crossed the bridge and was stopped at the toll gate.

The toll gate has been neglected for many years, since the city has abolished charging anything from vehicles to and from the airport. However, it was very busy today, at its six lines, many security personnel were stopping each passing vehicles. We followed the line and a blue uniform approached us asking
' where to? where from? which district of the city from?'
Our answers made a satisfactory impact and soon we were gestured to leave. Both of us wondered if such questions could help ; or if they do, do the answers, perhaps honest or dishonest, help tracking every routes of potential terrorists.

We drove forward another 10 minutes when we were getting to the second toll gate. But this time almost immediately we tried to slow down and pull in, a woman signaled us to go. Good impression we have not to be considered as two bad guys.

The van arrived at the terminal building around 10:10 am. Perfect timing ! The 7 Greek tourists were to land at 10:20. I got off the van and walked to enter. The second I was inside, I noticed there were a red zig-zag line, guarded by some young boys and girls along a table and some machine. Very politely they explained that it's new regulation. Besides the security check before boarding, all people have to take the first security check. Obviously they were interested in only my should bag. With a little panel device, a young man slowly inspected the zipper and edge, only the surface. Then a small piece of result note poped out of the panel, and it was inserted into the machine. I was freed after no threats were confirmed.

I quickly ran to Mcdonald's and got a orange juice. It was a hot day. But hardly before I finished, there went the announcement about the arrival of the flight from Xi'an. They were coming, 4 adults and 3 teenagers. So I went to the exit to wait. The airport of Hangzhou is a small one, the arrival terminal having only two luggage belts. And from outsides, it's easy to see through the large glass door every going-ons.

From Belt A, there were four flights, from Xi'an and Guangzhou etc. The airport staff were very patient, checking each claim tag of so many groups, which made a big mess and a little riots. Guessing between flights and groups, I was waiting there for about 4o minutes already,still all in vain. And when the claim area was finally clear and empty, I had waited for one hour. I had a veird guess. The group was not coming! I waited for aother fifteen minutes till other batch of arrival flights information appeared on the monitor.

I called up to the office to inform my manager of the accident. Minutes later I was called back. I could leave, as the manager said. So full of anticipation and glory, I accomplished a very speicial inspection tour to the security situation of the airport, successfully. And meanwhile, I sincerely hope those Greeks didn't have any trouble with China's security checks. Good luck!