Collins Ajibola (Wang Jian)
After weeks, day, hours, minutes and long seconds, I finally packed my bags for the trip of a lifetime, a multi-country journey across some of the world’s most iconic tourist destinations. Destination, the Asian Continent. My plan was simple: learn new things, gain knowledge, experience culture, breath nature, feel history, and gulp hospitality in its truest form. What I didn’t expect was how China would feel like home, thanks to the warmth and receptive nature of the people I met.
A long day started like a long day. At about 10:45am, I had arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, and during check in, a little friendly conversation between the Airline check-in staff and I ensued.
She: Good afternoon, sir, please can I have your Passport. Where are you traveling to?
Collins: I am off to China. Here is my passport.
(She does the checking and necessary computer keyboard punching)
She: Here is your passport and boarding pass sir, I wish you a safe flight.
Collins: Thanks, and do take care of the country while I am away.
(We both smiled and bade goodbyes)
Going through the other checks was in everyway easy, as I had in my possession all necessary documents and words to every question. On this route are the Immigration officers, officers from the Anti-Drugs agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), airport security checks amongst others.
Done. Checked in and waiting like every other traveller, but all heading different destinations.
Just then, the clock ticks and at about 12.10pm, the Flight ET950 from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia landed glamorously. This is our flight, I said to myself. Parked instructively. The passengers alighted, this was followed by the routine aircraft cleaning, refuelling and maintenance. All done.
Then we heard the bell and followed by the voice of who I supposed is an elegant beautiful leady with alluring captivating voice.
(Attention ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. This is your pre-boarding announcement for flight ET950 to Addis Ababa. We kindly request all passengers to proceed to the boarding gate number Zone 3 and prepare for departure.
The passengers as instructed all rose from their seats, marched towards the gate and as I approached, there is a long queue, perfectly I joined as we take steps towards the door of the aircraft via a movable tunnel. I was leaving the shores of Nigeria, at least for sometime.
The ET950 with two pilots and other members of the cabin crew took off at exactly 1.45 Nigerian time for a four-hour flight cruising at an altitude of 33,000 feet above sea level.
At exactly 8.15pm local time in Addis Ababa, the beautiful scenery of the airport welcomes the flight ET950, as the aircraft wing lights flashes to communicate its arrival. It was going to be a stop over of 5 hours. Our next flight from Addis Ababa to Beijing is 1.15am local time in Addis Ababa.
I had used the large part of the five hours wait at the Addis Ababa Airport to walk around, make friends, call families and friends at home. At about at 00.30am, the announcement was made, checking and boarding commenced. This time, Flight ET604, had taken possession of our luggage as transfers have been made. We all boarded and sat accordingly. The pilot and the cabin crew were set. The in-flight announcement was done. We are embarking on an 11.30 minutes flight from the Addis Ababa airport in Ethiopia to Beijing, the capital megacity of the People Republic of China. Dehna mebrer (translates to “safe flight”) in Amharic (the official language of Ethiopia).
It was a smooth flight. Near perfect in-flight service delivery from the elegant, beautiful, every smiling and courteous cabin crew. There was minimal turbulence and minimal ‘humanlence’ (the type my good Nigerian brother and friend, Chinenye, experienced while flying out of China after a successful stay. (I will give more on this later in this article.)
Having flew past several countries and zones, the Flight ET604, arrived at the Beijing International airport at about 5.20pm local time. The atmosphere was lit. Beijing is clean and filled with freshness of the atmosphere. At this time, the weather in China is hot.
From the moment our plane touched down at Beijing Capital International Airport, I knew I had stepped into a nation striding boldly into the future. My visit to China was more than just a trip. It was a glimpse into what the world of tomorrow might look like. I indeed saw the future.
On my arrival and clearance, I had lost communication as a new entry to China. No more networks I was used to back in Nigeria. The airport internet was up after following log in instructions. I walked out of the airport and here is a beautiful, amiable lady holding high an information about my visit to China, (Seminar on Integrated Development of Culture, Sports and Tourism for Developing Countries.) Our eyes met. I approached her and she smiled at me. I later got to know her as Sherry. She received me like a foetus from its mother’s womb with tender care, warm welcome and perfect reception. She offered to help me with my luggage, but the African in me, declined with a heart resounding appreciation. She took pictures for me on my request (what do you expect. I have never been to China, now my foot has touched the ground).
Sherry ordered a taxi, and through the orderly driving traffic of China’s road, we drove several minutes to the intimidating structure of the Huanghe Jingdu Hotel, venue for the seminar activities and other itinerary plannings. It was late evening. The day’s activities concluded. I was allocated my room and as humane as Sherry, she ordered me food and drink to feed for the night after taking me to my room. She bade me a good night and said:
“You had a long trip and very exhausting. Tomorrow’s activities kick off by 9am after breakfast which is scheduled for 6.30 to 8.am. I hope you can have enough rest to join.”
I replied with hope. I was indeed worn out from the long trip. My friend, Raphael Oni, a Diplomatic journalist who has frequented China several times, later came to my rescue by defying the time difference between Nigeria and China to wake me up to go for breakfast and prepare for the day’s activity. I was two days behind, having arrived late and missed the official opening ceremony of the auspicious event.
The next day, I had rushed down to the restaurant for breakfast. I luckily saw some Nigerian brothers, who gave me a warm welcome and insight to the day ahead. I left to my room after the short mealtime and refreshed for my first lecture series. Getting into the hall was easy. Sherry gave me a mental map the previous day I arrived.
I walked through the corridor and here I was, the hall filled with beautiful and handsome face from across the globe. China was our meeting point. A vantage one at that. I was again welcomed by Sherry standing by the door, highly expecting the ‘new comer”. Again, in her usual self, she smiled and welcomed me to the hall. That brightened my day. Sherry handed my file jacket and some notes of the Chinese RMB. She said, ‘here is your allowance. Please, make your self comfortable. Let me know if you need anything.’ What can be more? This, I later discovered is a culture. Systematically bequeathed to the younger generation. There is a culture of respect and decency in China. The orientation is from the cradle. Catch them young at its best. A model for many nations to imitate. I appreciated Sherry and head to find a seat.
I went straight to some participants having heard a language similar to Yoruba, one spoken famously in Nigeria. I later got to know his name as Tosin. I have seen my country brother. I later made so many brothers and sisters. The participants had earlier been classified into the two main thematic focus: Ethnic Sports and the other Tourism, where I was supposed to. I didn’t know. I later joined, and experienced one of the most educating, informing, and entertaining lectures on Tourism, titled: Development and Trends of China’s Adventure Tourism delivered by the renowned Professor Zhang Rui, from Peking University. She is one of the best in her field.
I immediately settled, having seen my Nigeria bother and others I later got to meet in the course of the class. I was happy. I was in a new environment. Another experience of global stage with great minds.
As I journey into the subject of my piece, CHINA, let me say that, they people of China are amazing. Near prefect hosts, detailed in activities and excellent in personality. I can say that, the person of the lead Coordinator, Mr. Peng Sen, embodies this trait. An excellent planner. A worthy leader with prowess personified. A Team Lead with a difference and a patriot extraordinary. He leads team of young vibrant youths, such as Lui Yanfeng, Dong Jingyi (Cynthia) and Duan Yiling (Sherry). Great set of people.
Upon completion of the lecture series, it was time for outdoor activities and visit to historical sites. The movement plan was communicated. Frist, after the last visit to Summer Palace, is the visit to the Temple of Heaven. There after, the following day, precisely Wednesday 9th, we shall be boarding a flight at the Daxing Airport to the famous Hunan Province. This will take us two hours by air aboard the flight CA8609 through the mountainous and hilly topography of Hunan, a place of beauty, history, rich cultural heritage, beautiful weather, luscious vegetation, flavourful dishes, alluring landscape and visually appealing scenery.
the next part and concluding part of this piece, you will read on historical and world heritage sites situated in Hunan Province, such as the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Oxygen Bar Square, Golden Whip Brook, and some hiking venues, and other places. I will also delve more like I said into the topic: CHINA: A COUNTRY OF TOMORROW.
To be continued…
My Trip To China: A Country of Tomorrow(Part 1)
