Best way to be late

I have crappy visa. I knew it will be crappy the moment I submitted my documents to the Chinese consulate, but it was crappy visa or no visa at all, so...

Anyway, I have to cross the border every 30 days and the easiest way to do it is go to Hong Kong. You can fly there from Ningbo for a ridiculous price or you can fly to Guangzhou and take the train from there, which would be much cheaper.

Now airplanes are immune to traffic jams, aren't they? Not in China, obviously. Not anymore. Every time I get to the airport I find out that my flight is delayed "due to the traffic congestion" whether it be in Ningbo or Guangzhou. Far as I know it's the same all over China. I witnessed one big ugly scandal break out after yet another delay announcement, and somebody was taking a video of it with their mobile, so we can expect another "Bus Uncle" clip on YouTube soon.

Oh, and just now they announced that flight to Beijing was canceled due to "aircraft relocation" whatever that means.

You know, I've been laughing at stupid Americans with their routinely overbooked flights.. but not anymore. Airlines really do hate us, it seems, and will do anything to keep us from flying. Next time I go to Hong Kong I 'm considering taking the train from Shanghai. It's 20 hours, but at least you can sleep there without fearing that it's suddenly canceled.

And now they announce that my flight will be delayed again due to aircraft relocation. 3 hours' delay, that is. Next time I'm taking the train!