Bon Voyage

We arrived at the SL airport with 4 bags, each weighing between 50-51 pounds (that's cutting it close), 2 carry-ons, and 2 computer bags. They scanned my hands for traces of explosives.  Apparently they thought  I might be concealing something in the ace bandage on my ankle.  I requested wheelchair service, because I wasn't sure how my leg would be when I got to China.  They whisked me off the plane in Seattle and wheeled me through 2 concourses all the way to the end, right to my gate.  Slick!  Then I arrived in Shanghai.  This wheelchair was pushed by a tiny Chinese girl, but she said she was up to the task.  We had to retrieve all our bags and go through customs.  So Tim piled everything onto 2 carts.  He pushed one, and I pushed the other from the wheelchair, with the Chinese girls pushing me.  It was like 

When we tried to check-in to our flight to Xi'an, we got bogged down.  First we had to wait for changing of wheelchair attendants. Then we picked up a couple of other wheelchair gimps, and raced to security.  Tim had all 4 carry-ons and got separated to a different line.  So while I sailed right through, Tim had to practically undress and find the computers and 3-oz. liquids in everyone's bags. He was disheveled for sure!  Finally we raced up a back alley elevator, they dumped us and our bags on the plane, and it took off.

Our bags were the first ones off in Xi'an, since they were the last ones on in Shanghai.  But alas, only 3 of the 4 came off the runway.  After filling out forms, phone calls, and passport info, they sent us to find our driver.  I had little hope of ever seeing my bag again--with all my winter clothes.  Imagine my joy the next day when it was delivered to my apartment. Yeah!