My friend was leaving for Beijing, he could not speak English, so I accompanied him to the airport tonight, trying also my luck if I could get to the check-in counter, so I could help with the communication. Unluckily, when we reached the airport, outside of the shiny illuminated terminal, federal soldiers in full force were already standing in line against the crowd who came to see their family or friends leaving to all parts of the world. Nobody except the passenger is allowed to get into this restricted area. A lit bit worried, I wrote on his ticket “ sir, can I upgrade to business class, I am willing to pay the extra cost”, carefully rearranged his luggage, counted carefully the 3000US$, the maximum amount allowed to pass the custom, and making sure there are no any other forbidden items, such as ivory, animal furs, antiques or any other foreign currency. (so many Chinese have been caught with prison sentence due to negligence or purpose smuggling). Waving hand and approaching to the entrance, my friend left me and the driver behind, longing and in suspension. After about 20 minutes of waiting, got a call from him, saying excitingly: “everything goes smoothly, 350usd for the upgrade, custom was passed, exit of the country was passed also without disturbance”. Quite relieved, I got on the car and back to our residence.

Seeing off people in this country was conventional enough, but over it brooded always a heavy suspension and melancholy. My departure of this country will come in 12 days.