I'm currently writing from my home at the Hilton Garden Inn (this hotel is crazy nice by the way, I am very lucky to be staying here). This is my third full day in Hanoi and I am happy to say I am doing alright with the jet lag, though it's been a process.
Getting here was quite the event. I brought with me 3 full sized suitcases (each exactly 50 pounds, yes you may applaud my insane packing skills), one carry on suitcase, and a large tote bag. For the most part this is all I intend to have in Vietnam. The only other things I need are my winter clothes and a box of teaching supplies.
Flying to Vietnam was a small miracle- I was on the edge of everything going wrong- but somehow it all came together.
1. San Diego to Los Angeles: I saw Jamie Lee Curtis in the airport. I'd post the creepy picture I took, but I'll pretend to have some dignity here.
Getting here was quite the event. I brought with me 3 full sized suitcases (each exactly 50 pounds, yes you may applaud my insane packing skills), one carry on suitcase, and a large tote bag. For the most part this is all I intend to have in Vietnam. The only other things I need are my winter clothes and a box of teaching supplies.
Flying to Vietnam was a small miracle- I was on the edge of everything going wrong- but somehow it all came together.
1. San Diego to Los Angeles: I saw Jamie Lee Curtis in the airport. I'd post the creepy picture I took, but I'll pretend to have some dignity here.
2. Los Angeles to Seoul, Korea (13 hours): I flew Korean Airlines very nice! They have me slippers, pillow blanket, and a toothbrush for the flight. Very good food! The airbus is a really nice airplane.
3. Seoul to Hanoi: I only had an hour to get through security and catch my connection. But, it takes forever to exit an airbus when you're seated in the back. Then I went through security and apparently my laptop was a security threat. After a lot of me waving my boarding pass around, squealing, and pointing at my watch frantically they let me through. A Korean airlines employee took pity on me and called my gate to hold the plane. Then he took hold of my passport and ticket (ack! a nightmare NO ONE touches my passport!!!) and started running...
...In that moment, I witnessed true beauty. His soft hair fluttered in the wind as he glided through the airport. His pressed black suit moved gently against his skin, and his shoes made no noise as he swiftly lead me on a 5k across the airport. As he lead me people moved out of the way instantly.
...In that moment, I experienced whatever the opposite of true beauty is. Between my tote and carry on I was lugging 50 pounds. The airport could not have been more humid and with every step more sweat drenched my clothing. I was in clomping flip flops and an extra long maxi skirt, begging for me at any moment to trip and pull down my skirt. I could feel my face getting more and more red. I was always at least 10 paces behind him, so as he spread the sea of people with ease I was stumbling over passengers and their children which seemed to literally throw their bodies in front of me. I was huffing and puffing and one the verge of panicked tears.
and then finally, we arrived at the gate!
-just as they locked it. "So sorry, you cannot get on the plane"
After swallowing down some very bad words I made my way back across the terminal to the Korean Airlines help desk. Then the miracles started happening.
1. There is a hotel in the airport.
2. I got the first flight (with a very nice seat) to Hanoi the next morning with no extra cost.
3. ALL of my luggage arrived and undamaged.
4. No one questioned my laptop and I made it through the visa station and immigration with no problems.
A teacher from the school picked me up and took me to my temporary home at the hotel.
All is well in the world :)
3. Seoul to Hanoi: I only had an hour to get through security and catch my connection. But, it takes forever to exit an airbus when you're seated in the back. Then I went through security and apparently my laptop was a security threat. After a lot of me waving my boarding pass around, squealing, and pointing at my watch frantically they let me through. A Korean airlines employee took pity on me and called my gate to hold the plane. Then he took hold of my passport and ticket (ack! a nightmare NO ONE touches my passport!!!) and started running...
...In that moment, I witnessed true beauty. His soft hair fluttered in the wind as he glided through the airport. His pressed black suit moved gently against his skin, and his shoes made no noise as he swiftly lead me on a 5k across the airport. As he lead me people moved out of the way instantly.
...In that moment, I experienced whatever the opposite of true beauty is. Between my tote and carry on I was lugging 50 pounds. The airport could not have been more humid and with every step more sweat drenched my clothing. I was in clomping flip flops and an extra long maxi skirt, begging for me at any moment to trip and pull down my skirt. I could feel my face getting more and more red. I was always at least 10 paces behind him, so as he spread the sea of people with ease I was stumbling over passengers and their children which seemed to literally throw their bodies in front of me. I was huffing and puffing and one the verge of panicked tears.
and then finally, we arrived at the gate!
-just as they locked it. "So sorry, you cannot get on the plane"
After swallowing down some very bad words I made my way back across the terminal to the Korean Airlines help desk. Then the miracles started happening.
1. There is a hotel in the airport.
2. I got the first flight (with a very nice seat) to Hanoi the next morning with no extra cost.
3. ALL of my luggage arrived and undamaged.
4. No one questioned my laptop and I made it through the visa station and immigration with no problems.
A teacher from the school picked me up and took me to my temporary home at the hotel.
All is well in the world :)