I awoke early on Friday, having spoken to Leanne all day Thursday as she staved off sleep before her morning departure. It was pretty funny to see her huddled in her bathroom as Mark slept, doing her best to stay awake, as we both painted our toenails in entirely different continents. Our excitement was growing :) Before we parted Skype ways, I asked, in what turned out to be an entirely ominous manner, "What happens if our flights are delayed? How long do we wait at the airport for each other?" To quote Larry David when he asked the man in the wheelchair was he was supposed to do if all the non-handicapped stalls were taken, "You WAIT!" We agreed on a time after which we would leave and go to the hostel where we were staying, against what seemed to be Leanne's better judgment. Argh...I hate foreboding lead-ups.
Before leaving, I had a scary thought (the same thought we all have before we leave home): "Do I have everything?" This was different though...it's odd when all the things you'll need for the next two weeks are strapped to your back. I began my adventure prepared with an entirely Korean snack: hard boiled eggs and a sweet potato. Hilarious.
I caught a cab outside my apartment to Beomgye, where an amazingly convenient coach bus took me to the airport for a whopping $12. You know, Korea really does do things well at times. My flight was on time (well, checking in was delayed, but the plane left on time), the airport was bright and sunny, and the Air China staff was pretty friendly. Leaving Korea was pretty rewarding all in its own...it reminded me that I get to go home soon.
Upon arriving in Beijing, I nearly had a heart attack from the cold. The airport seemed entirely open to the outside (note, it was colder in China than in Korea) and sleeping, even for this seasoned veteran who slept standing up in the Paris airport, was impossible. How entirely strange. Oh, not quite as strange as this tote found in the Beijing bathroom. Yes oh yes, this trip is getting off to a GREAT start ;)
Despite the grotesque cold I had to suffer, I must say it was rather beautiful in this airport. Here, the sunset is reflected in the gleaming floor.
So after the inexcusable 5-hour layover in China (Lesson #1 Learned: a five-hour layover is NOT acceptable. Pay more to avoid this.), we were shuffled onto a bus (imagine my dismay), where we were shuttled to a tarmac to this waiting plane. I couldn't help my sarcastic self. I said quite loudly, "They know it's winter, right?" Argh. Even more infamous was my later quote, "If Thailand is not hotter than balls, I'm going to be so pissed." Nice. Now that's how a lady talks.
After a longer-than-expected wait on the runway, we finally took off and somehow landed in Bangkok an hour earlier than scheduled. Phew. I must say, traveling is one of the most efficient things the Korean people do. They disembark planes as quickly as they pile out of subway cars. If you don't get your stuff and get the heck out of their way, they will trample you to get to the exit. Note: I was traveling Air China, so these humans could have been Chinese, but I'm pretty certain they were Korean. And I'm loving them.
The plan was I would meet Leanne at the information desk and we'd be off to The Big Thai. First stop: Suk 11 Hostel. When she wasn't waiting for me at the prearranged spot, I was a little worried, being that I was early. Though this airport isn't quite as large as I had previously thought ("it's the size of JFK there! What am I going to do? Hold my backpack straps and walk around calling, "Leanne? Leanne?"), it was still a bit difficult to navigate. After a confusing conversation with the gal at the info desk, I was off to check the Air Canada website to confirm that yes in fact, Leanne had missed her connecting flight in Tokyo, Japan and was stuck there for the night. If she was lucky, she could catch the 10 am flight to Bangkok, bringing her to me (at long last!) by about 3 or 4. So I left. Her. I left her at the airport. She was in an entirely different airport, but I felt so bad leaving.
I found myself in a cab with a man who spoke excellent English but who tried to Indiana me out of 300 baht (just under ten bucks). Nice try, man. I guess this was my first test as an Official Backpacker. Argh. After an arduous hour and a half ride to the hostel (that in reverse, only took about 20 minutes), I finally rolled out of my front seat, exhausted and annoyed. I wanted a concierge to welcome me, but no way: this was a hostel, I was a backpacker, and you really can't always get what you want. I was shocked at the efficiency and ability of the security guard. The conversation went a little like this:
Me: "Hi?" (completely skeptical, looking around for someone who obviously spoke English as opposed to this man who was not only too old to speak English [could I get anymore ageist?], but looked far too Thai to direct me with clarity to my already-paid-for room)
Him: "Hi, hi. You, you? (holds up three cards inscribed with three names. I was to choose myself from the trio. I did so.) Okay, okay. Key, key (he handed me the key to my room). Now you go rest, rest." (Kindest smile EVER appears on his face. I'm not only going to survive, but this is a good, good place to be.)
Please note that this is one of the best Konglish conversations I have had in my life to date. I was so highly impressed. And I had concerns. Scoffing now at previous ageist comments.
He then pointed to a huge staircase and I was supposed to go up to the fourth floor to sleep. I desperately wanted to go back out to the street for a shwarma I'd seen about a half hour before, but I figured that Bangkok at 2 am could wait until tomorrow. I was off to sleep.
When I got into the room after the long climb from the man who should win Security Guard of the Year 2010, I felt like crying. It reminded me of my first lone night in Korea: no friends, no family, no one. I was all alone in a city for the second time in my life...only this time I was sure Leanne would be there soon after I woke up. She had to be, right?
The plan was I would meet Leanne at the information desk and we'd be off to The Big Thai. First stop: Suk 11 Hostel. When she wasn't waiting for me at the prearranged spot, I was a little worried, being that I was early. Though this airport isn't quite as large as I had previously thought ("it's the size of JFK there! What am I going to do? Hold my backpack straps and walk around calling, "Leanne? Leanne?"), it was still a bit difficult to navigate. After a confusing conversation with the gal at the info desk, I was off to check the Air Canada website to confirm that yes in fact, Leanne had missed her connecting flight in Tokyo, Japan and was stuck there for the night. If she was lucky, she could catch the 10 am flight to Bangkok, bringing her to me (at long last!) by about 3 or 4. So I left. Her. I left her at the airport. She was in an entirely different airport, but I felt so bad leaving.
I found myself in a cab with a man who spoke excellent English but who tried to Indiana me out of 300 baht (just under ten bucks). Nice try, man. I guess this was my first test as an Official Backpacker. Argh. After an arduous hour and a half ride to the hostel (that in reverse, only took about 20 minutes), I finally rolled out of my front seat, exhausted and annoyed. I wanted a concierge to welcome me, but no way: this was a hostel, I was a backpacker, and you really can't always get what you want. I was shocked at the efficiency and ability of the security guard. The conversation went a little like this:
Me: "Hi?" (completely skeptical, looking around for someone who obviously spoke English as opposed to this man who was not only too old to speak English [could I get anymore ageist?], but looked far too Thai to direct me with clarity to my already-paid-for room)
Him: "Hi, hi. You, you? (holds up three cards inscribed with three names. I was to choose myself from the trio. I did so.) Okay, okay. Key, key (he handed me the key to my room). Now you go rest, rest." (Kindest smile EVER appears on his face. I'm not only going to survive, but this is a good, good place to be.)
Please note that this is one of the best Konglish conversations I have had in my life to date. I was so highly impressed. And I had concerns. Scoffing now at previous ageist comments.
He then pointed to a huge staircase and I was supposed to go up to the fourth floor to sleep. I desperately wanted to go back out to the street for a shwarma I'd seen about a half hour before, but I figured that Bangkok at 2 am could wait until tomorrow. I was off to sleep.
When I got into the room after the long climb from the man who should win Security Guard of the Year 2010, I felt like crying. It reminded me of my first lone night in Korea: no friends, no family, no one. I was all alone in a city for the second time in my life...only this time I was sure Leanne would be there soon after I woke up. She had to be, right?
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