Friday, June 25, 2010

En route


It is currently 2:51AM in the states [specifically, PST] and I am on my way from Narita Intl Airport (in Tokyo, Japan) to Incheon Intl (in Seoul, South Korea- or more appropriately, Republic of South Korea).

I just ate a sandwich that was ham and egg (and took out the cheese) and, no kidding, there was a fishy and wasabi aroma about it. It was the weirdest thing. I half-expected wireless to be available, but I guess not.

Last night I was up packing and getting my stuff together. I definitely got stressed out for multiple reasons. My family was telling me to bring this and that, to do this and that, while I was finishing up stuff I could only do in the states (parking ticket, bill paying, making sure I made copies of everything and printed out all my forms, phone calls, money exchange, credit/debit card etc.) and I was/still am late on paying my UCSD bill because they charged me for summer session 3, and I have random charges, and my financial aid hasn't come in yet, and I certainly don't have enough money in my account to pay for it all. OH and the fact that I was leaving totally by myself to ASIA to a country where I don't speak the language (except for hello and thank you- I've been training myself) and am arriving there at night has really got my all stressed out.

Sleep at 3AM, wake up at 6:30am, wait impatiently in traffic and in line but finally make it to check-in. Get through it all, and 10:40am I am off from San Francisco to Seattle, napped on the plane and woke up for a coffee and to eat my sandwich, and in Seattle/Tacoma where I told myself I would buy a starbucks coffee because it's close enough to the original thing. But, realizing that it's still $3.50 for a 12oz coffee, I decide not to. Woot.

Quickly get through to the boarding, and I am b*tch-seat. STRAIGHT. UP. Note: Don't get that seat, aka middle of a 5-person row. The flight attendants always forget you and it's awkward handing down your trash, not to mention the inconvenience of going to the bathroom and really having 2 people have to wait for you (and you have to wait for them to wake up...). I nap- apparently you're not supposed to sleep on the plane so you won't get jet lag, but given the circumstances of 1. I am naturally a night owl, 2. I need to be functional to get to my school and 3. You can easily induce sleep with drugs, I nap for about 1.5 hour, wake up, snack, drink, nap again, repeat. I browse though the channels and Dear John was playing, but with scattered sound (sucks) so I watch It's Always Sunny in PA (which is HILARIOUS. omg.) and listen to music, looking at the map on the screen telling me how fast the plane is moving, what altitude, duration of flight, expected arrival. The trip from Seattle to NRT/tokyo is about 9+ hours. It was weird eating dinner, which I liked because it was all compartmentalized, at about 4pm PST,

then lunch at 10pmPST.

But there was hot green tea, and lunch was rushed as we were landng in Tokyo. Get to Tokyo, and it is HOT. so humid, even though it was maybe 73F.

I walk around the terminal, which has lots of shops and duty-frees, and a cartier/bvlgari store, use the bathroom (which had a bidet. haha.)

see a bunch of students in all their uniforms,

and exchange some money so I can use internet (note: 12AMPST is 4PM japan, and 100JPY is about 1USD, so I paid 1USD for 10min of internet use-- send quick emails and stuff) and buy a green tea just 'cause.

Now I am in possession of some Yen. blah.

Board for Korea. Woot! Idk, being at NRT got me really excited, I'm sure I looked haggard and little crazed.

trip total time:
SFO > SEA 2hr
SEA > NRT 9.5hr
NRT > ICN 2hr

I've been steadily hoarding food. I have 2 cookies, a snack-size kit-kat, a dinner roll, and half a sandwich. I think my new favorite thing is a sandwich and a cup of hot coffee/drink. So simple, filling, a good pick-me-up

What I'm most worried about: getting lost! I don't know ANY korean!!! losing cash, getting an allergic reaction, forgetting something essential.
What I'm most excited about: SHOPPING. I essentially have an empty suitcase for Korea/HK/China escapades. and STREET FOOD.

Now, if where my wisdom tooth is coming out would stop being sore/swollen...

1 comment:

  1. Minnie Low you are so brave. <3 and funny.

    Flying next to old mean man who farts is very much on par with bitch seat, so high-five for suffering on long international flights, I feel you.

    Can't wait for more :D

    ReplyDelete