In the Air... [Entry 2: June 16 2011]

[Above: A sample picture of traffic on the roads of Bangkok]

Entry 2: June 16 2011

  More then likely the hardest part of my journey is already over, I just completed my 15 hour flight from LA to Gangzhou China via South China airways. I have to admit the service was reminiscent of air travel many years ago in that several actually cooked meals were served instead of offering the customers a tray of bagged and dry goods to purchase. I was a little disappointed with the seating size as I am rather tall and could not even put my feet under the chair in front of me because of some technical equipment right in the way. However the travel was rather pleasant considering the number of hours spent in the air I did manage to get some rest. I have one more flight with south China airways to see if their service or room in flight improves at all, but I would rate the airline equivalent to any American airline in that the amenities may counterbalance the small amount of room. What was rather surprising is how uncomfortable the arrangements were yet being able to sleep, typically I have severe difficulty in sleeping on any flight, however I was able to manage several hours but it seems a pillow or some other accessory might be necessary if I will attempt another long flight such as this. Had I given it some further forethought I would have taken a cruise perhaps instead of a flight, the cost difference would have probably been negligible and the amenities and ability to slowly acclimate would have been better.

It was with a shock that the first toilet I attempted to use here in China happened to be a squatting style, however my cooler head prevailed and I searched the rest of the bathroom to find the other stalls were all equipped with western style toilets, although I know this is something I will more then likely have to deal with and grow accustomed too, after a 15 hour flight I did not want to be testing my new WC skills with another flight still to follow. The weather here in China is simply hot and humid, it is raining outside the terminal and the terminals feel as though they are not air conditioned, thus I have already began to sweat and hopefully will have enough water on the trip, the last thing I want is to begin my trip being dehydrated which seems all the more likely as since I left the army my diet has consisted of nearly all soda (pop for you from the west/south). Internet connections are tantalizingly available, however the prompted pages are all in Chinese and my Chinese is far worse then my Thai. But the coffee shop had some interesting combinations for food, I ended up with a kiwi bubble drink, and a ham and cheese sandwich with pickles perhaps? Actually none of it was bad, but I ordered off the menu not knowing the price I am paying because I am not familiar with the currency difference between the dollar and really anything other then the Baht. (Note to self, in the future research currency variation before traveling through foreign lands. I do not believe it was terribly expensive but I will find out soon enough.) There is one more note that I would like to add about this airport which I find significant, at least within the international terminal there are areas set aside for smoking rooms or lounges. This is important for the reason that at least within O'hare airport someone who wants to have a smoke is required to go outside, which means going back through the security lines as well, which is stressful enough. Although I do not smoke, I fervantly believe that if you chose to, the oppurtunity should be afforded to you.