June 1, 2010
Up, Up and Away!!
The day has finally arrived and we are winging our way to China. I’m sitting in the American Airlines Admiral Club waiting for Garry and Rich to arrive from Philly about 11:30. Our flight to Tokyo starts boarding at 12:10pm where we change planes to Beijing.
After realizing we were flying on a Triple 7 airplane with a 2-3-2 seat configuration in Business Class, I changed my seat assignment from a window seat with another passenger next to me to an aisle seat in bulkhead! Let’s see how good a move that was. At least, I don’t have to crawl over the passenger to go to the bathroom during the 12 hour flight.(check out flight time). With all the wine I plan to drink this is IMPORTANT! I saved up my caloric intake to accommodate my future wish to drink wine on the flight.
I had texted Garry inquiring about their mission of getting different seats other than the second row from the back in the middle. YES, they did – Garry left a message stating they are now in an exit row aisle and window seats.
The flight from Washington DC was uneventful. My dear friend Violette dropped me off at the airport this morning before heading to work. We visited last night and headed to the Circle Bistro at One Washington Circle for a drink and a bite to eat. My assignment was to pick up Violette at work and I got lost – Violette is up in her office watching me drive around and even warned me that the police were behind me, drop the cell phone. Unbeknown to me, there is no talking on a cell phone while driving in Washington DC. The cell immediately dropped on my lap and the police car passed me. Whew, that was close – perhaps NC license plates helped avoid a ticket or warning.
We finally got to the restaurant and there were my friends Brian and Joshua having a drink. They couldn’t wait for us – heck, I couldn’t blame them, I’d do it too. Great conversation about No Rules Theatre Co, the Fringe Festival, Wooly Mammoth and the upcoming fund raiser for NRTC in the DC area. Violette and I said goodbye as we flagged down a taxi to take us to the Kennedy Center for Hamlet (the opera). Disappointed in the performance, we both decided to leave at intermission and get to bed at a reasonable hour for an early alarm the following morning.
Now, here’s to the flight to Beijing and beginning of our adventure. I’m just waiting for Garry and Rich to arrive. The boys have arrived heading to the Admiral’s Club to join me. Gosh, it was great to see them! It's as if I had just seen them yesterday.
Note: The suitcase weighed 54 pounds. Business class does have its perks!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Sitting on the Suitcase
May 31, 2010
Sitting on the Suitcase
Not quite, but close. I have totally ignored all the usual advice to pack less when traveling. Taking lots of old pants, shoes, jackets, underwear, socks with the intent of leaving them as I go filled the suitcase. Although throwing caution to the wind with packing, I followed the rest of the axiom, “Bring twice as much money.” Well, that’s not entirely true either. It’s still in my bank account, but ATMs in China can fulfill the adage. It’s so much easier to use the ATM to obtain local currency except on this trip we will definitely need to withdraw enough since the small towns in the Himalayas won’t have any.
Richard, the owner of VisitTibet.com, replied to an email I sent asking about where to drop off old clothes along our travels in Tibet. He suggested keeping the clothes until around EBC area where the people are exceptionally poor and really need the clothes, shoes, etc. I plan on taking the little soaps, shampoos, lotion from any hotels and give it to the poor people as well. Garry and Rich will do this too. On my last trip to Guatemala, our group gathered these items and gave to women at a local clothes washing area who thoroughly enjoyed the products. These women usually use soap to wash their hair and when they received the shampoo, excitement showed on their faces. The little joys of life are so precious.
That’s the reason my suitcase is so over packed. The zippers could barely be pulled together to lock them. Now, the next concern will be loading it up on the train in Beijing. I hope I see a porter nearby or Garry or Rich will need to help me. I can hear it now, “Oh, you’re such a girl!”
Sitting on the Suitcase
Not quite, but close. I have totally ignored all the usual advice to pack less when traveling. Taking lots of old pants, shoes, jackets, underwear, socks with the intent of leaving them as I go filled the suitcase. Although throwing caution to the wind with packing, I followed the rest of the axiom, “Bring twice as much money.” Well, that’s not entirely true either. It’s still in my bank account, but ATMs in China can fulfill the adage. It’s so much easier to use the ATM to obtain local currency except on this trip we will definitely need to withdraw enough since the small towns in the Himalayas won’t have any.
Richard, the owner of VisitTibet.com, replied to an email I sent asking about where to drop off old clothes along our travels in Tibet. He suggested keeping the clothes until around EBC area where the people are exceptionally poor and really need the clothes, shoes, etc. I plan on taking the little soaps, shampoos, lotion from any hotels and give it to the poor people as well. Garry and Rich will do this too. On my last trip to Guatemala, our group gathered these items and gave to women at a local clothes washing area who thoroughly enjoyed the products. These women usually use soap to wash their hair and when they received the shampoo, excitement showed on their faces. The little joys of life are so precious.
That’s the reason my suitcase is so over packed. The zippers could barely be pulled together to lock them. Now, the next concern will be loading it up on the train in Beijing. I hope I see a porter nearby or Garry or Rich will need to help me. I can hear it now, “Oh, you’re such a girl!”
Sunday, May 30, 2010
We've not on the plane yet!
After banned from entering Tibet two years ago due the rioting monks in Lhasa, Tibet prior to the Olympic torch relay, we plan on reaching Lhasa on June 6. Our 10th anniversary of meeting one another in 1998 and celebrating at Mt Everest Base Camp was delayed. Our dream is happening with another adventure crossed off on our bucket list! Again, all our plans haven't been smooth - the air flights had us basically pulling our hair out.
Back in November, I, along with Garry and Rich, used our miles on a new American Airline flight, a direct from Chicago to Beijing landing at 1:55pm, in plenty of time for our 9:30pm train to Lhasa. Purchasing extra miles to upgrade to business class, I left the guys to slug it out back in coach.
With all our flights planned, we waited to pay for our trip, obtain our Chinese visa and send information to VisitTibet.com, our Chinese tour operator, who organizes fabulous trips in China. All almost came to a crashing halt on Mother's Day. A frantic phone call from Garry telling me American Airlines had changed our flight now arriving at 11:59pm meaning we miss our train to Lhasa. Garry contacted the airline, explained our dilemma and changed his and Rich's flights. In the course of the conversation with the agent, he discovered that American Airlines had sold tickets on a flight that had not yet been approved by the Chinese government. Can you believe it?
I quickly called and changed my flight to mirror Garry and Rich's. Fortunately, a seat in Business class remained; however, the guys weren't as lucky. Start crying now for Garry and Rich! They have center seats all the way to Beijing. BUMMER!!!
But, no gloating just yet - I'm not on the plane. Anything can happen!
Last minute errands, packing the suitcase, one more day of hiking and swimming will fill tomorrow's schedule before heading to Washington DC on Tuesday to visit my friend Violette, catch Hamlet at the Kennedy Center and meet our friend Joshua Morgan for drinks before catching my flight early on June 2.
Back in November, I, along with Garry and Rich, used our miles on a new American Airline flight, a direct from Chicago to Beijing landing at 1:55pm, in plenty of time for our 9:30pm train to Lhasa. Purchasing extra miles to upgrade to business class, I left the guys to slug it out back in coach.
With all our flights planned, we waited to pay for our trip, obtain our Chinese visa and send information to VisitTibet.com, our Chinese tour operator, who organizes fabulous trips in China. All almost came to a crashing halt on Mother's Day. A frantic phone call from Garry telling me American Airlines had changed our flight now arriving at 11:59pm meaning we miss our train to Lhasa. Garry contacted the airline, explained our dilemma and changed his and Rich's flights. In the course of the conversation with the agent, he discovered that American Airlines had sold tickets on a flight that had not yet been approved by the Chinese government. Can you believe it?
I quickly called and changed my flight to mirror Garry and Rich's. Fortunately, a seat in Business class remained; however, the guys weren't as lucky. Start crying now for Garry and Rich! They have center seats all the way to Beijing. BUMMER!!!
But, no gloating just yet - I'm not on the plane. Anything can happen!
Last minute errands, packing the suitcase, one more day of hiking and swimming will fill tomorrow's schedule before heading to Washington DC on Tuesday to visit my friend Violette, catch Hamlet at the Kennedy Center and meet our friend Joshua Morgan for drinks before catching my flight early on June 2.
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