Beijing or Bust
Well, the closest I got to China yesterday was the check-in counter at Continental Airlines.
Eve (my makeup artist), Deirdre (my hairstylist) and I arrived at the airport at 10:15 a.m., bags in hand, ready to take our 13-hour flight to Beijing.
Everything seemed fine until one of the women behind the counter said to me, “Is this your only passport?” When I assured her it was, she gave me one of those “you’re not going to like this” looks. “This visa is no good,” she said.
“No good?” I replied, “How could it be no good?” Turns out it was the visa I’d used for my travel to China last year. We thought it was still current but it had actually expired (which is about what I felt like doing at that point).
By then a whole group of Continental employees had gathered around the counter, all of them trying to be helpful. One person suggested I could still go to China, but I’d probably be deported when I arrived (that didn’t sound appealing, although it would have made for an even better blog). Another said I could get to Hong Kong or Tokyo since those cities don’t require visas, and then apply for one from there. No thanks.
I had NBC and Continental check with the Chinese consulate to see if there was any way it could intervene, but there was nothing that could be done until the next day.
Left to right: Eve, Meredith, Nadita, Janet, Deirdre
So what were three stranded gals to do? We headed to the lounge with our new best friends, Janet Castellaccio and Nadita Turkhud from Continental’s Customer Services. As we were walking in, Janet said, “There’s coffee to the right, and wine to the left.” I’m not sure it was the “right” decision, but we turned left.
Janet and Nadita couldn’t have been nicer, and while I’m thanking people at Continental, I have to mention Kim Mayden, Kathy Hart, and Carlos. I hope to see them tomorrow if my new visa comes through.
As we were leaving the airport at 12:30 hugging our new friends goodbye, Janet said to me, “Maybe this all happened for a reason.”
Well, Janet, I think you were right. When I got home, there was a dead chipmunk in the dining room. (I knew there was a funky smell downstairs when I left my house at 4:30 a.m. that morning, but it was dark and I just figured it was a pair of Gabe’s dirty socks. Wrong.) There was also a live chipmunk screeching behind the dining room hutch, where he or she was wedged in against the wall. Our two cats were positioned on either side, waiting to pounce on their next victim. I grabbed the felines and put them in the mudroom, behind closed doors. Then I emptied out the hutch to lighten the load, stuck a big box on each side and pulled it away from the wall. The frightened little critter dropped to the ground, and scurried into one of the boxes. I scooped up the box and released the chipmunk in the backyard.
‘Confucius Fortune Cookie’ say: “Chipmunk, this is your lucky day.” Hopefully, tomorrow will be mine.
Eve (my makeup artist), Deirdre (my hairstylist) and I arrived at the airport at 10:15 a.m., bags in hand, ready to take our 13-hour flight to Beijing.
Everything seemed fine until one of the women behind the counter said to me, “Is this your only passport?” When I assured her it was, she gave me one of those “you’re not going to like this” looks. “This visa is no good,” she said.
“No good?” I replied, “How could it be no good?” Turns out it was the visa I’d used for my travel to China last year. We thought it was still current but it had actually expired (which is about what I felt like doing at that point).
By then a whole group of Continental employees had gathered around the counter, all of them trying to be helpful. One person suggested I could still go to China, but I’d probably be deported when I arrived (that didn’t sound appealing, although it would have made for an even better blog). Another said I could get to Hong Kong or Tokyo since those cities don’t require visas, and then apply for one from there. No thanks.
I had NBC and Continental check with the Chinese consulate to see if there was any way it could intervene, but there was nothing that could be done until the next day.
So what were three stranded gals to do? We headed to the lounge with our new best friends, Janet Castellaccio and Nadita Turkhud from Continental’s Customer Services. As we were walking in, Janet said, “There’s coffee to the right, and wine to the left.” I’m not sure it was the “right” decision, but we turned left.
Janet and Nadita couldn’t have been nicer, and while I’m thanking people at Continental, I have to mention Kim Mayden, Kathy Hart, and Carlos. I hope to see them tomorrow if my new visa comes through.
As we were leaving the airport at 12:30 hugging our new friends goodbye, Janet said to me, “Maybe this all happened for a reason.”
Well, Janet, I think you were right. When I got home, there was a dead chipmunk in the dining room. (I knew there was a funky smell downstairs when I left my house at 4:30 a.m. that morning, but it was dark and I just figured it was a pair of Gabe’s dirty socks. Wrong.) There was also a live chipmunk screeching behind the dining room hutch, where he or she was wedged in against the wall. Our two cats were positioned on either side, waiting to pounce on their next victim. I grabbed the felines and put them in the mudroom, behind closed doors. Then I emptied out the hutch to lighten the load, stuck a big box on each side and pulled it away from the wall. The frightened little critter dropped to the ground, and scurried into one of the boxes. I scooped up the box and released the chipmunk in the backyard.
‘Confucius Fortune Cookie’ say: “Chipmunk, this is your lucky day.” Hopefully, tomorrow will be mine.
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I'm sorry you didn't make it back to China on your first try!
I'm also sorry you had to come home to a dead, and smelly chipmunk! One of my two cats is quite the hunter herself, and I keep having to shoo her outside when she brings me her "presents" of dead mice or birds. I don't appreciate the live ones she brings in, and then let go, so that I have to chase them around the house for the rest of the day! Maybe she's trying to teach me how fun it is to hunt?
Anyway, thank you for your great coverage so far on China,and the upcoming Olympics. I am anticipating more to come when you return soon!
Laura in Grass Valley, California
Meredith you have the best blog. Not only was I surprised to see you this morning, but you made my day with the details you were telling Matt. It is nice to hear some good news about the airlines for once. Glad your situation turned out okay and that you will be hopefully leaving Friday. Here's wishing you a good trip.
Oh yeah the chipmunk story was great. You made it sound hilarious. I know the chipmunk you saved was happy with you though I am sure your cats were not.
Will be waiting to hear your reporting from China.
Did Ann Curry take hair and makeup people with her to Africa and Antarctica?
Hello Meredith! This is my first time commenting on your blog. I hope you will be able to receive your Visa to travel to China and I'm ready for your coverage. You're a great journalist, I enjoy viewing the Today show from El Paso, Texas! Best of luck and hope you have a safe trip!
Meredith
I now know why you headed to China.
To Avoid the insanity of this Fridays concert LOL
Even lenny said he almost bailed it was so insane but he couldn't even figure a way to get out LOL There was definately overflow!
Do you ever plan to write a memoir about your life like your friend BW?
i love you meredith...you are always in trouble....i hope to meet a woman who looks similar to you....coming from a 22 year old.off course i mean to find a younger version of you..hehe...stay out of trouble!!!!!111
blessings.
Meredith,
Sooooo, I wonder if Continental would have been as accommodating for a non-celeb. I have never had an airline customer "service" representative join me for drinks after telling me "Sir, I am sorry there is nothing I can do for you sir". (yes, she said sir twice...ouch!) Ha! Anyway, sorry that you had to go through that...I got a sinking feeling just reading it. Awesome for the surviving chipmunk...condolences to his buddy.
Hi Meredith,
I haven't been able to get to read your blog for awhile but I tell you that I am never bored when I read about how your life is going. I think you looked great on the picture with the other girls and that's all that counts.
About the poor chipmunk, good thing you did get to come home or there would have been two dead bodies in your dining room, those darn cats.
I have a 16 year old cat, Ashes and she doesn't get to go outside, one of the reasons is just what happened at your house.
I hope you got off to China safe and sound and that you do enjoy your trip.
XXXOOO
Joan K.
Wisconsin
Hi meredith
i just found out we are related (your grandma-moms side and my grandma were first cousins) it was nice to find this blog and read about you. it is nice to see someone with a portuguese heritage to so well and be so admired. i hope you do some pieces on the azores. i hope you are able to go there some day. i hope to go next summer.
keep doing well
rose t.
Wow... sounds like things are as smooth as we seem to think they are. Why are you going to Beijing so early?
The Greatest Generation, which fought in WWII, deserved more than what The Today Show did for D Day.
Hi, Meredith,
I saw your story yesterday from China. You are so amazing the way you tell your stories. The talent and professionalism shows. I and so many people are thrilled with you at the Today show. They made the best choice when you joined the show.
Keep up the good work.