Safely in my hotel in China. My hotel room over looks the Pearl River…tried to take a picture, but the sun is totally in my way and it’s very, very hazy. I will try again later.
The cab ride here was a little more than I could bear. I got a little car sick and started to second guess leaving the airport. Now that I’m here and showered I’m quite happy that I made the long nauseating drive out here. Unfortunately I can not get onto my blog site…I hope it’s just an error that will pass soon so I can upload all this stuff.
I’m about to head out to see what there is to see. I will see only what I can see on foot as there is no way in hell I’m getting back into another cab until I have to go back to the airport.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Part 2
I’m About 3/4s of the way to China. If my calculations are correct it is around 3:00 pm in Florida. It’s around 4:00 am on my watch and we are scheduled to land around 6:40 am. Here's a Google Earth tracking shot of my flight that Justin emailed me....
I had a bit of a panic attack half way between Orlando and LA. I was tired and wanted my bed and missed my kitties and Morgan. That has mostly passed, but I’m sure it won’t be the last.
The flight thus far has been pretty bearable. Getting to the flight was a bit of a trek, however, I had to walk outside to the other side of the airport to check in and go through security again. Then, at the gate they loaded us into these big ass busses like cattle. I was the only American on the bus. This was a strange feeling….can’t remember every being in the minority like that. I’m totally paranoid (guess it goes along with my OCD) so I felt like everyone was staring at and talking about me. I think I’m gonna have to get liquored up in China so I don’t totally lose it! The bus trip seemed like a long, long ride, but once at the plane we were quickly loaded.
My seat is at the front of the plane (Boeing 777) with no one sitting next to me. We were immediately served dinner (at 4:00 am my time….note, I have not slept yet). The food was unidentifiable, some sort of Chinese flare, but tasted quite good.
So far I’ve taken 2 halves and 1 whole Ambien, which has awarded me approximately 6 hours sleep total. I’m feeling pretty good, but am ready to get out of this tin can. I could use a shower and some sunshine.
I had a bit of a panic attack half way between Orlando and LA. I was tired and wanted my bed and missed my kitties and Morgan. That has mostly passed, but I’m sure it won’t be the last.
The flight thus far has been pretty bearable. Getting to the flight was a bit of a trek, however, I had to walk outside to the other side of the airport to check in and go through security again. Then, at the gate they loaded us into these big ass busses like cattle. I was the only American on the bus. This was a strange feeling….can’t remember every being in the minority like that. I’m totally paranoid (guess it goes along with my OCD) so I felt like everyone was staring at and talking about me. I think I’m gonna have to get liquored up in China so I don’t totally lose it! The bus trip seemed like a long, long ride, but once at the plane we were quickly loaded.
My seat is at the front of the plane (Boeing 777) with no one sitting next to me. We were immediately served dinner (at 4:00 am my time….note, I have not slept yet). The food was unidentifiable, some sort of Chinese flare, but tasted quite good.
So far I’ve taken 2 halves and 1 whole Ambien, which has awarded me approximately 6 hours sleep total. I’m feeling pretty good, but am ready to get out of this tin can. I could use a shower and some sunshine.
Trip to NZ, part 1
Here I sit on my first leg of my journey. I got to the airport early enough to enjoy one of my favorite treats, Carvel soft chocolate ice cream with chocolate sprinkles….mmmm yummy! I remember that when I first moved to DeLand we had a Carvel right down town (those were the days)…now the closest one is at the Millennia mall about an hour away.
When I checked in for my flight I was told that I was on standby for first class. I didn’t think that would be a problem because we forked over 150,000 miles to get my first class tickets. When I got to the gate I saw on the information screen that I had fallen to number 8 on the standby list (there were only 4 seats available). I talked to the counter agent and he basically told me that medallion members had priority of me, even though I technically paid for my seat. WTF?? And even though he wanted to help me, he couldn’t make any changes to what the computer was spitting out. It’s pretty amazing to see the class system work. Ian gets treated like a king whenever he flies because he’s a platinum medallion member and I get treated like scum because I’m a paying customer…go figure.
So, here I sit. The exit rows are always great to get…the seats in front of the exit rows, not so much. My seat won’t recline and the seat in front of me is totally reclined so I hve a very narrow space between my chest and the back of the seat in front of me a I can’t open my computer fully.
OK, enough bitching…I’m on my way to New Zealand! Luckily the middle seat between the window guy and me is empty so we have room for our stuff to over flow. Food and drinks should be flowing soon. This is not a dinner flight, but we were given a menu to order food from. They even have bar type drinks. I think I might enjoy a “Mile High” Mojito!
When I checked in for my flight I was told that I was on standby for first class. I didn’t think that would be a problem because we forked over 150,000 miles to get my first class tickets. When I got to the gate I saw on the information screen that I had fallen to number 8 on the standby list (there were only 4 seats available). I talked to the counter agent and he basically told me that medallion members had priority of me, even though I technically paid for my seat. WTF?? And even though he wanted to help me, he couldn’t make any changes to what the computer was spitting out. It’s pretty amazing to see the class system work. Ian gets treated like a king whenever he flies because he’s a platinum medallion member and I get treated like scum because I’m a paying customer…go figure.
So, here I sit. The exit rows are always great to get…the seats in front of the exit rows, not so much. My seat won’t recline and the seat in front of me is totally reclined so I hve a very narrow space between my chest and the back of the seat in front of me a I can’t open my computer fully.
OK, enough bitching…I’m on my way to New Zealand! Luckily the middle seat between the window guy and me is empty so we have room for our stuff to over flow. Food and drinks should be flowing soon. This is not a dinner flight, but we were given a menu to order food from. They even have bar type drinks. I think I might enjoy a “Mile High” Mojito!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Doggie Bling
So I just picked Morgan up from her new groomer. As with her old groomer she came home sporting a cute neck bandanna...this one, pink, is a tad girly...but hey, at least now everyone knows she's a girl.
After unloading her from the car I wanted to check her ears because they said they cleaned them really good. As I grabbed her ear flap I felt something rough, which made me immediately think that she had another injury that would probably require another expensive vet trip. But as I looked down I saw that it's wasn't a cut or even a band aid...it was sparkely flower bling! No freakin' way!
After unloading her from the car I wanted to check her ears because they said they cleaned them really good. As I grabbed her ear flap I felt something rough, which made me immediately think that she had another injury that would probably require another expensive vet trip. But as I looked down I saw that it's wasn't a cut or even a band aid...it was sparkely flower bling! No freakin' way!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Send warm thoughts
to China! This is where I will be spending 15 hours in a couple of weeks, "Worst Winter Weather in 5 Decades...".
Then again, I might not even make it to Guangzhou...China Southern Airlines has totally screwed my tickets by cancelling 2 of my legs (both legs out of Guangzhou). I think it's a conspiracy to keep the cold wussy Western woman hostage in a non-English speaking communist country!!
Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Then again, I might not even make it to Guangzhou...China Southern Airlines has totally screwed my tickets by cancelling 2 of my legs (both legs out of Guangzhou). I think it's a conspiracy to keep the cold wussy Western woman hostage in a non-English speaking communist country!!
Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
I know, I'm a "blog-loser"...
Haven't blogged for a while. It's not that nothing has been going on, it's just such an effort for me to write. And, once I start I feel like it's too boring to read. Anyway, I will try harder this year.
I'm heading off to New Zealand in February. Should be exciting. I'm going to have to put my big girl pants on for this one. I leave Orlando on February 19th and arrive in Australia to meet Ian on February 21st (or maybe the 22nd...with all the time changes and date line crossing I'm not really sure). I have a 15 hour layover in Guangzhou China...this is where the big girl pants come into play. I'm not the kind of person who does well alone. I can't remember ever eating out alone or going to the movies alone. Plus, the language barrier scares the shit out of me. I almost had a panic attack trying to maneuver through the Italian airport by myself. Against Ian's better judgment I've decided to make my way out of the airport and see some sights. I can't see myself sitting in the Crown Room (Ian got me business class tickets!! Thanks baby!) for 15 hours straight!! I can't even sit in my house for 15 hours straight!
Originally I planned to get a private tour guide, but the cost became too much when you factor in the Visa, ride to and from the airport, the actual tour, tip, lunch, etc. So I've decided to get a hotel room smack in the middle of town. This will give me the opportunity to get a shower and some food, then I can get out and walk around on my own. It's winter there and the temps are in the 30s and 40s now, so I'm not sure how much sight seeing I'll really do, but I'm gonna try!
I also have a full day in Sydney by myself after Ian heads home. I haven't decided what I'm going to do there, but that doesn't worry me as much. At least I speak the language!
I'm heading off to New Zealand in February. Should be exciting. I'm going to have to put my big girl pants on for this one. I leave Orlando on February 19th and arrive in Australia to meet Ian on February 21st (or maybe the 22nd...with all the time changes and date line crossing I'm not really sure). I have a 15 hour layover in Guangzhou China...this is where the big girl pants come into play. I'm not the kind of person who does well alone. I can't remember ever eating out alone or going to the movies alone. Plus, the language barrier scares the shit out of me. I almost had a panic attack trying to maneuver through the Italian airport by myself. Against Ian's better judgment I've decided to make my way out of the airport and see some sights. I can't see myself sitting in the Crown Room (Ian got me business class tickets!! Thanks baby!) for 15 hours straight!! I can't even sit in my house for 15 hours straight!
Originally I planned to get a private tour guide, but the cost became too much when you factor in the Visa, ride to and from the airport, the actual tour, tip, lunch, etc. So I've decided to get a hotel room smack in the middle of town. This will give me the opportunity to get a shower and some food, then I can get out and walk around on my own. It's winter there and the temps are in the 30s and 40s now, so I'm not sure how much sight seeing I'll really do, but I'm gonna try!
I also have a full day in Sydney by myself after Ian heads home. I haven't decided what I'm going to do there, but that doesn't worry me as much. At least I speak the language!
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