I had my first transpacific travel experience alone during the last October break. Needless to say, I was pretty worried. If you know me, I consider planes a necessary evil to do something I love – travel. I don’t exactly look forward to being locked in a steel coffin for 12+ hours…but thanks to Cameron and experience, I’ve gotten better.
Cameron left for Indonesia the day before me, so I must ensure I had my shit together and made it through. I packed the night before, ensured everything was in place, and called a driver ahead of time. Mr. Wang is the husband of one of the former teachers’ nanny. I like to take him on my airport rides because he charges the same as taxis (sometimes less) and is always half an hour early.
My flight over was Shanghai-Seoul-Seattle. It can be bumpy, but the first leg is only 2 hours, and the second is only 10 hours. Not a bad way to do it, especially considering what a pleasant airport Seoul-Incheon (ICN) is. My wonderful father-in-law drove from Cheney to pick me up and drop me off in Dryden. I am very, very loved and very, very spoiled.
My two days in Dryden were spent taking care of schoolwork before the wedding, fighting jet lag, and being lovingly attacked by dogs. Not bad.
My friend Kayla’s wedding festivities began on a Wednesday – the wedding was on a Saturday. Her family throws lavish parties and are just incredibly caring people. I also had the chance to come over and help with decor and prep and see some of Kay’s friends, that are now my friends whom I hadn’t seen in a long time. I’m very grateful I was able to go…my body, however needed a few days to recover after the reception 🙂
Here are some of the pictures of the festivities:
Since I do most of my sub teaching in the secondary school, and they would not be in session the week after October break due to class trips around China, I took the chance to stay in the US longer and hang out with my Dallas-based friends. The fabulous newlyweds allowed me to stay in their excellent apartment (blocks away from my friends), so I had some beautiful days of alone time during the day and girl time at night.
It wasn’t until the middle of the week I realized where I was: DALLAS! You know, as in where JFK was killed??!! So as any decent history buff would, I spent my last day in Dallas checking out the Dealy Plaza area, including the building from where President Kennedy was killed. It was truly moving to be where such an event happened.
My flight back was 14 and a half hours. On a window seat – the flight was chock full. Toronto to Shanghai. Not the most pleasant flight ever but certainly not the worst. I made it back happy but tired, grateful, and best of all, to my Cameron in one piece and with all my documents. Hurray!
XO
An (signing off like this today in honor of Kay, only she calls me that!)