Leaving Shanghai, arriving in Tokyo

My last full day in Shanghai consisted of a meeting followed by ... logistics, and the realization that I needed a place to stay the next night in Tokyo. Where in Tokyo? I found a room at a place that's too expensive, booked it online, then walked home from the internet cafe and fell into bed.

I made it to Shanghai Pu Dong airport the next day with time to kill, thinking I might have internet access there. Not so. So I looked around and for the first time came close to buying something to bring home: some original calligraphy on a hanging scroll. It consisted of three characters: wu (not) something something, and was mounted very attractively. I liked it. So I asked the saleswoman about the remaining characters ... she said she really liked it because she doesn't want to die, and that everyone should have its words in their home: something along the lines of wishing "not death" or long life or something to that effect. I passed, but thanked her anyway.

Getting through security took a little longer than expected, and I managed to set off the metal detector and was asked to step aside. A young Chinese woman waved a hand-detector around me and then set it aside, and began ... frisking me? She was gentle but quite thorough. I miss her already.

Though delayed, the flight was easy, and Japan Air is great. And so is the food. When they started serving I noticed all the guys were having either beer or wine, and no money was changing hands, so I had an Asahi with dinner, followed by green tea. The attendants come around regularly with pitchers of (very good) green tea. What's not to like?

After an easy hour-and-a-half shuttle ride I made it to my too-expensive hotel. A bell-girl (?) saw me to my room, brought my luggage in, set it up, and asked how she could serve me ... so I asked about our proximity to subway stations and getting around to a couple of places. I knew there's no tipping in China but didn't know about Japan, so I offered. She stepped back so politely, and bowed, and said she only wished to serve.

So I thanked her for her help, said good night, and tried to catch up on some email.