Winter travel across the world

Snowflakes dusted the front walk during the night but no significant accumulation. Our ride to the airport shows up in good time and we’re off, checked in, and through security in record time. At the gate we connect with the four others heading to the same conference.

Then we sit.

Snow in Chicago has delayed the plane coming to take us back to Chicago. Snow showers blast the outside windows, but by the time we take off, there still is a mere skim of sweeping snow on the runways.

Not so Chicago. Landing we see a thick layer on the ground and the runway is rather slippery. We’re in a little regional jet so we are secure, but we still skitter some slowing down. Our dock is still filled with a 747 headed somewhere, and we wait on the tarmac for another lengthy spell before we’re allowed to dock. The takeoff runway is lined with planes waiting their turn.

When the plane stops, we unload, but have to wait on the jetway for our carry-on bags that wouldn’t fit in the little overhead bins. Snow blows sideways onto us. Bags finally in hand we dash up into the terminal and down ten gates arriving just as our names are called as the last two passengers on the plane to Hong Kong. Doors secured, the plane still waits another hour plus for de-icing and clearance to depart. At about ten thousand feet we break into sunlight and the winter is left behind.

The flight is textbook: crowded, long, and wearisome, but totally normal. Arriving in Hong Kong, later than expected, we meet our ride and head outside to the parking lot and a waiting van. The familiar smell of Hong Kong overtakes us – a mixture of tropical vegetation, even in winter, sea air mixed with a hint of diesel fuel. Definitely Hong Kong,

Arriving at the downtown hotel, we check in quickly and head out onto the streets. No arrival in Hong Kong is complete without a nighttime walk up Nathan Road. This time we head for McDonalds and a quick snack. Who would have thought that McDonalds could sell noodle soup with a poached egg and cheese in it? Only in Hong Kong.

A brisk walk is what we need to settle down for the night. It’s chillier than our usual visits and ski jackets feel good. There’s a damp fog brewing and light rain. Snow is left behind and we settle into the bone chilling raw of south China winter.

Definitely Hong Kong.