I left for the airport on July 8. Traffic was bad! I wanted to get to the airport fast so I wouldn’t miss my flight, yet at the same time I didn’t want to say goodbye to my family. When I finally got to the airport, I was informed that my flight to Beijing was delayed by three hours. They were concerned about me missing my flight from Beijing to Mongolia. After a few phone calls, they told me they were moving me to a better seat on the plane so I could get off the plane faster, and that my luggage was being sent straight to Mongolia.
I spent the next few hours wandering around the terminal. I met some really nice people. Between talking to them and talking on the phone to my mom and boyfriend, the time passed quite quickly. I was excited and nervous at the same time. This was going to be my first time flying internationally, and I was going by myself.
The flight itself was good. Long, and uneventful. The food was good, and I watched three episodes of Poldark.
When I got off the plane in Beijing on the evening of July 9, I thought I was going to choke. The air outside was so thick! Hot and humid are the only words to describe the weather. Everyone on the plane had to cram onto a shuttle. In the long run it didn’t really matter if I got off the plane first or last. The Beijing Airport is like a giant maze. Trying to get through was so confusing, and the lines through security were very long. Eventually I reconnected with a girl I had talked to before my flight. She is super nice, and helped me find my way to the shuttle that would take me to Terminal 3. All I could think about on the ride over was I hope I make it in time.
I rushed off the bus and immediately started looking for the sign for Mongolian Airlines. I found it outside, but couldn’t find it inside. Eventually I found the customer service desk. Upon asking where to check in for my flight, she told me I was too late and missed the flight. Check in ended an hour before the flight. I missed the deadline by a few minutes. Without a certificate of delay there was no way I was flying to Mongolia that night. To say I was panicking would be an understatement.
I was sent back to Terminal 2 to get a certificate of delay and to see what could be done about a new ticket. The lady at the ticket counter was very helpful. She wrote up the certificate of delay for me. About 45 minutes and several phone calls later she handed me a new ticket, and sent me downstairs to get a free hotel room. My next flight was scheduled to leave at 1:40am on July 11.
Downstairs the guys at the ticket counter said I couldn’t get a free hotel for a weather delay. Some really helpful students helped translate for me. They explained that I could catch the bus with them to the hotel and I could pay for a room there. When we got there, they helped translate again. A room for myself was going to be very expensive, so one of the girls offered to share a room with me. I am so thankful for their kindness!
They left early in the morning to catch their flight. I was left alone with the room. Thank goodness for wifi! Being able to talk to friends and family made the whole situation easier. I met an American girl at breakfast. It was so nice to have someone to talk to! We had lunch together too. After lunch I was finally able to get some good sleep.
My shuttle back to the airport left at 9:15pm. This time around I was able to find the check in desk. There was a lot of waiting involved. The check in counter for Mongolian Airlines opened three hours before the plane was scheduled to leave. While waiting our turn in line, I met an American man from Iraq, and a woman from Chile. Both were super nice! Talking to them helped the time pass more smoothly. Eventually, we all made it through the check-in line, and the security lines! I was finally going to Mongolia.
Our plane was small, yet comfortable. I was pleasantly surprised to be served an actual meal. I’m so used to flying in America where you are lucky to get a small snack if you are on a short flight. The food and drink arrived just in time. I was so hungry!!
Our plane landed in Ulaanbaatar a little after 4am. I met up with my friends at the baggage claim. I asked about my luggage. A few guys looked for it, and couldn’t find it at the time. They filled out a missing luggage report and sent me on my way. I was so worried. My luggage was filled with all the spindles and fiber I needed to teach spinning.
Zola’s brother picked me up at the airport and drove me to where Zola was staying. The apartment is next to the National Stadium where the opening ceremony for Naadaam Festival would be starting later in the day. Naadaam is a huge even that only happens in Mongolia. I was able to get a few wonderful hours of sleep.
I sat down in the living room after waking up and Zola handed me a delicious cup of berry tea. As we were talking about our plans for the day, I looked over and saw my luggage. I was so happy I cried!! Zola’s brother had picked it up for me when he went back to the airport to pick up a friend of his.
I am so happy to be in Mongolia! I am grateful for all the people who helped me along the way. More about Naadaam Festival in my next post.
Great Steppe Fiber Project 