Trapped in China

By Jennifer Hess: I was in China on 9/11/01. China is 13 hours ahead of Iowa, so in actuality I was touring the Great Wall on Sept. 11. I was supposed to fly home on the 12th, so I was asleep when the attacks happened. I was awakened by the phone ringing, and I answered it to my brother telling me that I wasn't going to be going anywhere and to turn on an English-speaking news channel.

I woke up my mom and my sister-in-law (who were in China with me), and we turned on the news. I felt like I was watching a movie, it was all so surreal. When it finally sank in what had happened, all I could do was pray for everyone back in the states and worry about when I would be able to get back home to my children.

It was terrifying watching everything happen on television in a foreign country. I felt so helpless!

We finally were able to fly home three days later, and the security in the airports was crazy. Our bags were searched over and over again, and items we had when we left were confiscated from us. Things like lighters and my mother's cross-stitch needles and scissors were taken.

When we left the airport, we saw American flags hanging everywhere. It made me proud and sad at the same time.