中国89 - bike all wrapped up and shipped! (Qingdao to Chizhou via train)

中国88 - MISSING GEAR ACQUIRED (Qingdao)

中国87 - one of my greatest fears followed by a ray of hope (Seoul to Qingdao)

한국84,85,86 - A Ferry Stressed Medal Recipient (Seoul to a Incheon Port)

한국83 - Operation Seoul by Christmas was a success! (Yeoju to Seoul)

There are few things that I am particularly scared of on this adventure:
1) Serious injury
2) Losing my passport, phone, or wallet
3) Something happening to my bike or gear

Fortunately my bike made it to Qingdao, no problem. And I made it through customs and across town. Unfortunately, I did it with very little gear because the box that held most of my bags, camping gear, clothes, tools, etc... did not. That box took the wrong ferry to Weihai instead. It's on its own adventure now, I will be able to pick it up at the ferry terminal tomorrow.

The hours between finding that the box was missing and getting a message on wechat that it was in Weihai were the most stressful, most difficult part of this trip yet. I felt helpless. But it seems like it will all work out :) 

Here is that story:

When I got off the ferry, well rested after being rocked gently to sleep, I first got onto a bus. Which drove about 100 ft from the ferry door to the terminal door. I guess you can't walk for some reason. 

Then I went through immigration. I was sent to the "Special Circumstances" line right away. In front of my someone was having an issue and things were getting heated. I adopted my border crossing mantra. "Cool as a cucumber". It would serve me well. 

After immigration I walked right past baggage claim, where my bike was. It was tucked into a corner. So I had to go back through customs to grab my bike. I was relieved to see my bike. Neatly resting against the wall. But as I looked around for my box, containing nearly everything that was on the bike, my heart plummeted. It was missing. 

I communicated that via translate and the baggage handler guy came to help. He was actually very helpful and spoke some English. First he checked in and around the baggage claim area, and called his coworkers (nobody picked up). I stood quietly in the center of customs. Cool as a cucumber. 

Next he took me to the baggage area downstairs, and into the back where the luggage shipping container was. We opened up the shipping container and it was empty. Cool as a cucumber. 

Then we went back upstairs, to customs, where he asked if they could check the cameras. Perhaps it had been taken on accident? While they checked, I stood and watched customs sort through the confiscated items. Eventually I was called into the security room where we reviewed the camera footage. No box. But everyone was very kind and sympathetic. I couldn't understand anything that they said, but body language tells a lot.

Finally, we thought it may have been left Korea. But nobody was working today. So I added the helpful baggage guy on Wechat. He said he would look for it and text me if they found it. They could the ship it to me wherever I was. I said, thank you for all of your help. Cool as a cucumber.

Then I rolled my bike outside, fighting off tears. I was only partially successful. What was I going to do? What would my trip look like with only my bike, half of my tent, and the clothes I was wearing? Would I need to go around Qingdao and buy new things? (that's when I called my loved ones, who assured me it would work out) 

I left and rode to my hotel. Feeling exposed in many ways. No helmet. No bags making the bike feel bigger than it is. No gear. What if it got colder?

Along the way I stopped at a convience store where my alipay and wechat were declined. I guess I needed to submit my passport again. Of course that required SMS for two factor authentication. I was able to get that working eventually. My first purchase was a miniature pack of skittles. They tasted just like home. 

Then I got the text. My box had been sent on the wrong ferry to Weihai, and I could pick it up tomorrow. What a relief!

Like usual, it seems that everything will work itself out. Well, maybe I can say that after I pick up my box tomorrow. 

Thanks for reading this far! 
Ian

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Ian Caragol

中国87 - one of my greatest fears followed by a ray of hope (Seoul to Qingdao)

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中国89 - bike all wrapped up and shipped! (Qingdao to Chizhou via train)

中国88 - MISSING GEAR ACQUIRED (Qingdao)

中国87 - one of my greatest fears followed by a ray of hope (Seoul to Qingdao)

한국84,85,86 - A Ferry Stressed Medal Recipient (Seoul to a Incheon Port)

한국83 - Operation Seoul by Christmas was a success! (Yeoju to Seoul)

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