Preface
This is a true story portraying how Qingdao Jiahe Dadi Technology Trade Co. Ltd. (青岛嘉和大地科贸有限公司, www.zgqdjck.com) – a faux company in China, lure and scam legitimate foreign businesses, from a perspective of a third party.
Part of the names are intentionally replaced to protect the privacy of some parties.
CHRONICLE II: The Departure
[The Sign]
It was Thursday, the day Nacel’s family depart to Qing Dao.
A bagpack with his netbook, electronic chargers and digital camera; a wheeled case containing clothes, toiletries and power extension panel – Nacel’s belongings were well packed a day before, probably due to his mom’s repetitive nagging.
During the day, Nacel’s Dad accidentally glided the new knife he bought across his finger. Being a very expensive Japanese-made sashimi knife – a knife that allows you to literally slice a coconut as if it’s just tofu, even a light touch to the blade causes injury – the inflicted cut is deep enough to require bandaging.
Near midnight, 3 hours before departure time, the whole family happily started their journey to the airport, with absolutely no idea what is awaiting them.
The airport at midnight was especially quiet. Most of the shops, including restaurants were closed.
It took the family a few trips to different (closing or closed) restaurants until they finally settled on one of the most famous fast-food chain around that seems like it is on eternal daytime – McDonalds.
“Seems like a great time to try out the oh-so-popular GCB,” Nacel thought.
The GCB tastes okay, but Nacel’s Sister prefers the chicken nuggets.
[The Delay]
An hour before departure time – it was time to proceed to the boarding gate.
The boarding inspection gate was surprisingly empty. Upon closer observations to the displays, apparently the flight, ran by China Eastern Airlines, had been delayed by an hour.
“Damn, another hour to wait,” Nacel turned on his PDA. Lucky for him, the airport has wireless Internet equipped.
Nacel’s Dad and Sister both flipped open their notebooks and started surfing the Internet.
Facebook is a great way to kill time.
[The (Other) Delay]
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and *gibberish* members on board China Easterrrrn Airrrlines flight MU 540. *gibberish*”
All of the flight attendants of China Eastern Airlines are Chinese, and they speak very fluent Manglish (Mangled English), which sounded very close to Gibberish. Unfortunately, the on-flight food is also mangled, in its own way.
“Ladies and gentlemen, *gibberish* Shanghai Pudong Interrrrrnational Airrrrprot *gibberish*”
Due to the flight delay, arrival at Shanghai was an hour later than scheduled.
The flight to Qing Dao involved a transition in Shanghai Pudong airport. However, due to the flight to Qing Dao being a different flight, the baggage had to be claimed, requiring the check-in process to be redone once more.
The family almost missed the check-in time, resulting in securing very scattered seats.
It is China Eastern Airlines once more.
“Ladies and gentlemen, *gibberish* bad weather *gibberish* Jingnan Interrrrnational Airrrprot *gibberish*,” announced 30 minutes before the plane’s supposed arrival to Qing Dao.
Due to bad weather in Qing Dao, the captain had decided to redirect the flight and land in Jingnan. The other passengers beginning to feel uneasy, some started to question the clueless flight attendants.
The plane stayed in Jingnan for an hour for refueling, with all passengers onboard, and finally took off to Qing Dao upon receiving news on the improved weather conditions in Qing Dao.
The entire journey from home to Qing Dao was a grueling 12 hours.
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