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| Beijing Capital International Airport |
It was 8:30 PM when we left NAIA3 (Ninoy Aquino International Airport). That was 3 hours and 15 minutes to cross the West Philippine Sea over to Beijing, China (via Cebu Pacific Air).
Beijing Capital International Airport
I didn’t see the beauty of this huge airport or the lack of it, when we arrived. Not even from the plane's window as we approached the runway. Too foggy to see anything. No night scene. Zero visibility from my window.
This airport is the 2nd largest airport on earth. It must be a sight to see, I imagined.
We were quickly ushered to the jet bridge that led to a wide corridor to the Immigration counter. No glittery decors or architectural wonders in sight. I didn't see much travelers either. I’m guessing we were in an older part of the airport. It's the perk of traveling with a budget airline; they have their own little 'corner' in the airport.
In any case, I definitely felt the excitement. No apprehension whatsoever; not even with those military-looking personnel dotted the area, nor the straight-faced officers at the Immigration counters.
There was a sign that read, no taking pictures allowed, but I already got a couple of blurry shots, right after the jet bridge.
Meeting Up with the Driver
We were to be picked up by the hostel’s driver, so we looked out for that proverbial placard sign that reads, ‘Burn’ (my friend's name) among the many greeters.
Meeting Up with the Driver
We were to be picked up by the hostel’s driver, so we looked out for that proverbial placard sign that reads, ‘Burn’ (my friend's name) among the many greeters.
Some quick glances around and there it was, raised up in the air by this middle aged Chinese man, a placard with my friend's name on it.
We approached and greeted him with firm handshakes and exchanges of hellos, nods, and vows. He couldn’t speak a single word of English. I thought, ‘ok, this is going be fun.’
He led us outside the parking lot. Our bodies started to shiver up like an epilepsy attack. It must have been well below zero degrees, coupled with that wind chill factor thing I always hear from the weather reports.
The car seemed to be so far all of a sudden. We couldn’t wait one more second to get in the car.
And soon we were zooming down Beijing highway somewhere under the city’s bright yellow lights. I couldn’t contain my self with excitement. I was beside myself.
And soon we were zooming down Beijing highway somewhere under the city’s bright yellow lights. I couldn’t contain my self with excitement. I was beside myself.
From the car window, I saw trees lined up the highways, appearing like ghostly twigs on a foggy night. Shrubs on the center dividers were covered with black plastic bags, probably to protect them from freezing.
The winter weather was not really new to me. I have lived to places with winter weather before but there's something new and different here.