After a good bye to Jason which was hard for me. I went to my gate at the Albany airport to start my trip half way around the world. It was delayed 3 hours. Crazy since I got up at 5am to get there, I could have slept for more! I had plenty of time in Newark to get on my plane. I bought some duty free and miccy’s. I hopped on my 12.10pm flight to Beijing. It took about 12 and half hours to get there. I had a window seat, I did try to get me and my fellow Chinese guys sitting in my row upgraded to business class, but that didn’t fly. I tried! Arriving in Beijing felt surreal, I was really in Asia. Almost 8,000 miles from home. The city that host the 2008 Olympics. The symbols everywhere. I had about 4 hours till my next flight. I make my way outside to the shutter bus to take me to terminal 3. Sitting on the bus I saw other people getting on with their luggage. I thought about that, and remembered that guy at Albany said I wouldn’t have to recheck my luggage once arriving in China. I panicked a little and left the bus and started to find answers about that. First it was the customer serivce desk, they didn’t understand me, so I said I’ll go to the airline office. I go to the airline office and they tell me I have to claim and yes, recheck my luggage. So I go down through the guarded area to get my luggage, turned out at the luggage office, I did not have too. Since Beijing was not my final place. Traveling to the states from another country, you have to claim your luggage and recheck if you have another flight, why do you have too? It’s completely stupid, all lugged has been screened. Why does America have to be extra special? If it isn’t just a rule for America then why at all!! If you are connection that is. So anyways, I get my China Air ticket and board my last flight that took 6 hours. It was a small plane and the american/chinese man next to me wasn’t huge but for some reason he took up a lot of room. I slept for 4 hours on that flight. Skipped the meal because I was to tired. And I have no idea what the food was on that man’s tray anyways. The flight to me felt like some WWII flight, the seats the airplane noise I dunno, just felt like I was back in time on that flight. Could have been the serious lack of sleep I was getting so far. The sleep I did get on that flight, I had a dream, that an engine was out. So I thought, ok I’ll die then. I didn’t even feel phased, hey it’s out of my control now isn’t it! Death is going to come to all of us. Better realize that soon or you’ll be one scared little mouse inside. Anyways, I finally get to the KL airport. Filled out some forms, got stamped and wohla, taxi ride to fancy hotel. My taxi driver looked like Yul Brynner from the king and i .. so the king and I arrived at the hotel, I tipped and began to check in. I am told my name can not be found. I thought great, I really have no where to go nor anyone to call. So the man’s says he’ll give me a room for two nites. I explain to me the company I am working for and others who are already checked in. Turned out the communication between company and agent are needs of repair. I have received about 5 calls to my room asking me when I am checking out. gees. The agent lady is out on holiday till the 6th. Great. I have spoke to the project manager and everything should be taken care of by Friday, there is a back up person to work with.
Next post will include photos!