While I was on the plane . . .

Beijing Time: 10:50 am, ETA 3:54 pm

Okay, so right now I'm on the final stretch of my journey to Beijing. I was definitely worried that I wouldn't be able to make the last connection (multiple delays in Vancouver), but fortunately I am still well on my way.

I nabbed the window seat, although not much of a view since just about everyone on the plane has their windows closed shut (mind you it's about 11:50 pm Eastern Time). But, I'm sitting next to a sweet old lady from Jinshi and a high school-aged girl from Beijing (who went to Edmonton this past year for school).

I have to say, even to minor exposure to Chinese makes me excited (and scared) for what is to come. When I was first sitting down, it took me a few seconds to realize that the woman from Jinshi didn't speak English. Interspersed with my naps on this plane ride, I've had my share of brief conversations with the woman next to me (I found out she was visiting her children in Canada and showed her how to watch a Chinese movie on the touch screens). However, it's a bit jarring when I realize that either because I couldn't keep up or I simply don't recognize the vocabulary, I find myself nodding and smiling along (and that, because she doesn't speak English, I cannot ask for an immediate translation).

What I find most interesting however, is that it actually feels weird speaking English on the plane (e.g. asking the high schooler for clarification on Chinese vocab, to explain that AirCanada went on "strike" [ba gong]). Although I've certainly been in settings where everyone (or almost everyone) is Chinese (i.e. Asian family parties), I've never felt this compelled to only speak Chinese.