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The lurgy recedes
Aug. 18th, 2017 06:10 pmI'm still feeling wonky, with a chest full of gunk, but have begun to suspect I might live. Not good to get sick, but at least I made it back before I began to feel really bad. In Changi Airport I was aware of *really* wanting some icecream - couldn't find, but got some iced coffee - but still thought/hoped it was travel fatigue.
About international travel these days:
I was glad to find that the dire warnings about extra travel time were not exactly accurate, well, not if you were travelling around midnight, which is the first time that's actually been an advantage. Customs is more automated than when last I travelled in 2013 and provided one did not screw up - there are a surprising number of ways you can present your passport to a scanner - it was very quick.
I set off alarms on my outward journey going through the scanning doorway, and had to go back, remove my belt and then hold my pants up with one hand while I waited for my belt to rejoin me. Also new; while lining up for the luggage scan, a drug dog with its handler ran along the line, sniffing at speed. It didn't find anyone interesting. [Reminder to self; don't pat the drug dog.] They also had somebody checking passports - basically that you actually had one, and a boarding pass - before you even got into the room with the scanning equipment.
The admonition over the loudspeaker to report "peculiar behaviour" was constant; I must have heard it 20 or 30 times, but I'm still here, so I must've been normal enough. The first flight, Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, was absolutely chockers and while the staff aboard did their best, it was just too crammed for comfort. They don't seem to do the hot towels thing anymore, which I used to appreciate. I spent the trip hating on my seatmate, because he was able to go to sleep.
The Finnair flight from Hong Kong had more room and I'd booked a seat with more leg room which I appreciated, but note to the wise; may not be worth it next time because you are in direct line of sight to the loo so get bright light flashed in your eyes whenever someone opens the door. Which was constantly, on outward and return flights. I was barely conscious at landing, and appreciated a monosyllabic taxi driver on the way to the hotel.
About international travel these days:
I was glad to find that the dire warnings about extra travel time were not exactly accurate, well, not if you were travelling around midnight, which is the first time that's actually been an advantage. Customs is more automated than when last I travelled in 2013 and provided one did not screw up - there are a surprising number of ways you can present your passport to a scanner - it was very quick.
I set off alarms on my outward journey going through the scanning doorway, and had to go back, remove my belt and then hold my pants up with one hand while I waited for my belt to rejoin me. Also new; while lining up for the luggage scan, a drug dog with its handler ran along the line, sniffing at speed. It didn't find anyone interesting. [Reminder to self; don't pat the drug dog.] They also had somebody checking passports - basically that you actually had one, and a boarding pass - before you even got into the room with the scanning equipment.
The admonition over the loudspeaker to report "peculiar behaviour" was constant; I must have heard it 20 or 30 times, but I'm still here, so I must've been normal enough. The first flight, Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, was absolutely chockers and while the staff aboard did their best, it was just too crammed for comfort. They don't seem to do the hot towels thing anymore, which I used to appreciate. I spent the trip hating on my seatmate, because he was able to go to sleep.
The Finnair flight from Hong Kong had more room and I'd booked a seat with more leg room which I appreciated, but note to the wise; may not be worth it next time because you are in direct line of sight to the loo so get bright light flashed in your eyes whenever someone opens the door. Which was constantly, on outward and return flights. I was barely conscious at landing, and appreciated a monosyllabic taxi driver on the way to the hotel.