Our trip started on Friday. It started off unexpectedly at 5 AM when I received a call from the taxi service informing me that they were waiting for us in front of the apartment. The same taxi service that I had called on Thursday to schedule a 5 PM pick up. Usually I wouldn't remember if I had said "PM" or not, and would chalk it up to human error on my part, but this was a little bit different, and that's because when speaking with the guy I distinctly remember him saying "Okay, that's 5:00 AM right?" after which I said "Oh no, PM, good thing you checked."
After getting back to sleep and waking up at nine, we had a bit of a scare. It seems that on Thursday, to make sure that I didn't forget my passport, I took it out of my drawer where I always know it is, next to some folders containing records and other envelopes. I guess I had the intention of setting the passport aside to be sure it was packed in either the computer bag or my backpack, however that plan didn't go so well. The following day, when it came time to put the finishing touches on preparing the two large checked bags, backpack, computer bag, and a black leather shoulderbag that was a gift from Yujing's mother, my passport was nowhere in sight. I turned the bedroom, living room, and even the kitchen upside down, but it still didn't turn up. I was utterly shocked when it wasn't in the freezer. Finally, after one hour of facing the possibility that I would miss the plane, I checked the laundry basket for the third time. I figured I'd check the shirt pocket of the long sleeve, button down shirt I had worn on Thursday in addition to checking the pockets of my pants in the hamper for the third time. And there it was. In a pocket that I use so rarely that I don't even check it when doing the wash. Needless to say, the crisis was averted which means that now I have to figure out how I'm going to fulfill a vow that I made in the desperation of the search to be a better person on earth in the event that I find it.
I ate the last Culinary Circle flatbread frozen pizza and green smoothie that I will see for a month, finished packing my bags and come 5:00 PM the service picked us up just as intended. Thus began the first of twenty seven hours of traveling. We got lucky, because we were able to check the two bags all the way through to China in one go: one a monster filled with all of our clothes, two boxes of Cliff Bars, and a ton of other stuff, and the other a medium sized too-big-for-carry on roller that was filled entirely with bags of chocolates that we bought as presents for relatives in China. The bags followed through the Alaska Air trip to L.A, and the Korean Air trips to Seoul and Guangzhou and we didn't have to see them again til they rolled off of baggage claim in China. We had to go through security again in L.A, I was a bit concerned about time in making the connecting flight, but we managed it with time to spare. The time spent in LAX was pretty uneventful, and by hour seven of the journey we were boarding a midnight flight to Seoul.
It's been a while since I've been on an international flight. I had forgotten how nice it is to have movies on your own personal screen that you could actually choose, I watched "Blue Valentine", and it was super sad. I had flown Korean Air back when I went to Taiwan to teach, and I remember that the flight staff had kind of retro uniforms, and they still do, but they've been updated. Not updated in the sense that they are no longer retro, but updated to a different variation of the theme. They wear these neck scarfs that are completely stiff, as if they have been sprayed with hair spray or starched. The end result is two long bits of scarf going in opposite directions like a bird taking flight. On their neck. I don't know what they did to deserve this punishment, but they seemed pretty happy regardless. I'll attach a photo just so you could see what I'm talking about:
I didn't sleep much on the twelve hour flight, or on the four hour layover once we got to Seoul. We landed in Seoul at 5:00 AM their time (hour twenty one of traveling in case you're counting) and I took the opportunity of the empty airport to change my shirt and undershirt, reapply deodorant, brush my teeth and shave in the spotless bathroom. In fact, the Incheon airport is so spotless that if you ever see something that needs to be cleaned in the bathroom, you can call the janitor. His photo and phone number is posted in the bathroom. I've attached a picture.
And here's one of me and Yujing during the layover:
Our flight to Guangzhou was delayed a bit, and I didn't sleep on that flight either. Even as I'm typing this, I'm fighting the urge to sleep as it is only 6:00 PM local time here. I'd tell you how long it's been since I slept, but if I counted the hours I just might fall asleep. Customs and entry to China were super easy, just a matter of waiting in line. I had to wait in a separate line than Yujing while being admitted, because she is a Chinese national, and I'm a foreigner, but the official I got was not the least bit curious, and didn't say a word to me. Yujing's Mom, sister, and cousins were able to meet us at the airport, and I was so happy when her mom ran up to me and gave me a big hug. We drove in Yujing's sister's car, and arrived at her parent's house.
After getting back to sleep and waking up at nine, we had a bit of a scare. It seems that on Thursday, to make sure that I didn't forget my passport, I took it out of my drawer where I always know it is, next to some folders containing records and other envelopes. I guess I had the intention of setting the passport aside to be sure it was packed in either the computer bag or my backpack, however that plan didn't go so well. The following day, when it came time to put the finishing touches on preparing the two large checked bags, backpack, computer bag, and a black leather shoulderbag that was a gift from Yujing's mother, my passport was nowhere in sight. I turned the bedroom, living room, and even the kitchen upside down, but it still didn't turn up. I was utterly shocked when it wasn't in the freezer. Finally, after one hour of facing the possibility that I would miss the plane, I checked the laundry basket for the third time. I figured I'd check the shirt pocket of the long sleeve, button down shirt I had worn on Thursday in addition to checking the pockets of my pants in the hamper for the third time. And there it was. In a pocket that I use so rarely that I don't even check it when doing the wash. Needless to say, the crisis was averted which means that now I have to figure out how I'm going to fulfill a vow that I made in the desperation of the search to be a better person on earth in the event that I find it.
I ate the last Culinary Circle flatbread frozen pizza and green smoothie that I will see for a month, finished packing my bags and come 5:00 PM the service picked us up just as intended. Thus began the first of twenty seven hours of traveling. We got lucky, because we were able to check the two bags all the way through to China in one go: one a monster filled with all of our clothes, two boxes of Cliff Bars, and a ton of other stuff, and the other a medium sized too-big-for-carry on roller that was filled entirely with bags of chocolates that we bought as presents for relatives in China. The bags followed through the Alaska Air trip to L.A, and the Korean Air trips to Seoul and Guangzhou and we didn't have to see them again til they rolled off of baggage claim in China. We had to go through security again in L.A, I was a bit concerned about time in making the connecting flight, but we managed it with time to spare. The time spent in LAX was pretty uneventful, and by hour seven of the journey we were boarding a midnight flight to Seoul.
It's been a while since I've been on an international flight. I had forgotten how nice it is to have movies on your own personal screen that you could actually choose, I watched "Blue Valentine", and it was super sad. I had flown Korean Air back when I went to Taiwan to teach, and I remember that the flight staff had kind of retro uniforms, and they still do, but they've been updated. Not updated in the sense that they are no longer retro, but updated to a different variation of the theme. They wear these neck scarfs that are completely stiff, as if they have been sprayed with hair spray or starched. The end result is two long bits of scarf going in opposite directions like a bird taking flight. On their neck. I don't know what they did to deserve this punishment, but they seemed pretty happy regardless. I'll attach a photo just so you could see what I'm talking about:
I didn't sleep much on the twelve hour flight, or on the four hour layover once we got to Seoul. We landed in Seoul at 5:00 AM their time (hour twenty one of traveling in case you're counting) and I took the opportunity of the empty airport to change my shirt and undershirt, reapply deodorant, brush my teeth and shave in the spotless bathroom. In fact, the Incheon airport is so spotless that if you ever see something that needs to be cleaned in the bathroom, you can call the janitor. His photo and phone number is posted in the bathroom. I've attached a picture.
And here's one of me and Yujing during the layover:
Our flight to Guangzhou was delayed a bit, and I didn't sleep on that flight either. Even as I'm typing this, I'm fighting the urge to sleep as it is only 6:00 PM local time here. I'd tell you how long it's been since I slept, but if I counted the hours I just might fall asleep. Customs and entry to China were super easy, just a matter of waiting in line. I had to wait in a separate line than Yujing while being admitted, because she is a Chinese national, and I'm a foreigner, but the official I got was not the least bit curious, and didn't say a word to me. Yujing's Mom, sister, and cousins were able to meet us at the airport, and I was so happy when her mom ran up to me and gave me a big hug. We drove in Yujing's sister's car, and arrived at her parent's house.
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