Advertisement
Published: February 22nd 2007
Edit Blog Post
Bumped Into GM
I left my job in Manila where I got involved with a project for GM (General Motors). Now, here I am, just a few steps into Detroit (for a new job), yet again with GM. Haha! .
We left home at 5pm to get to the NAIA Airport. It was Valentine's Day - shall I expect a romantic flight? Hehe. Corny. (Hey I'm trying to cheer myself up! This trip is going to be longer than usual. I will be away from home longer than usual. And my lifestyle, well, a lot different than usual.) 😱
This picture you see was taken at DTW - Detroit Airport, Michigan. That's me, still smiling after 30 gruelling hours of travelling via 4 change planes. (Please don't ask me why we chose to fly this way. Don't get me started. Hehe!)
Curious about how we managed to enjoy this 30-hour trip? Read on...
Plane #1: Manila to Guam
We boarded Continental at 11:10am. In 3 hours we landed at Agana, Guam. It reminded me of my first trip to Guam 5 years ago. Actually, I also saw my old boss at the airport but didn't get the chance to approach him.
In the Guam airport, we were scrutinized by the Immigration. Good for me it took me less than 4 minutes. My friends spent more time in the interview and showed more
At Guam Airport - Ladies Room
I took this picture because the translation to Chamorro reminded me of my trip to Guam 5 years ago. documents than I did. Furthermore, all passengers in transit had to undergo more federally mandated procedures: took off our shoes, submit ourselves to body search, etc. We got that chance to chat with a friendly pinay working at the airport. She told us about her views in living in the US Mainland versus here in Guam. We had an interesting conversation.
Plane #2: Guam to Hawaii
In our plane ticket, it says "GUAM to HOUSTON. 15 hours duration". For some reason, Ayeen told me that there would be a hidden stopover at Honolulu. She was right. But why a
hidden stopover? I don't know. Noone knows. But here's the fun part: I get to see a bird's eyeview of the island of Kauai. Roads were we'll planned on that small island.
So after 7 hours, we landed in Honolulu Airport. We were required to go to the Carousel and pick up our luggage. Hmm... that did not sound right! When I checked in my luggage at Manila Airport, they told me I would never have to check out then check in my luggage in-between trips! All I need is to check out my luggage at
At Honolulu Airport - Hawaiian Sky
Aloha! I took this on the way to the boarding lounge. I wasn't sure anymore if it was dusk or dawn. I've been travelling for 13 hours already. Detroit. But no! This isn't happening! Oh well...
Honolulu Airport was not that much impressive to me, compared to the other airports I have been to. There was no airconditioning. Probably on-purpose... because it's the US only tropical state.
Again, since we are passengers in transit, we had to undergo the same federally mandated procedures: took off our shoes, submit ourselves to body search, etc. On the boarding lounge, we chatted with an old white couple. We exchanged stories about this long trip. What fascinated me was the old man's story of him serving in the US military and having to travel to Thailand on a cargo plane. That was in the 50s. Whoah! No water. No seats. Whoah!!
To kill time, I turned on my roaming phone and sent a message home... "Aloha! I'm in Hawaii!". In less than 2 hours we boarded our third plane.
Plane #3: Hawaii to Houston
I guess this was the plane ride I had the most sleep. 3 hours of sleep. Estimate. Not bad! Hehe.
This airport, George Bush International Airport, in Houston, Texas is the one I enjoyed the most in this trip. It's
so huge and we had 3 hours to kill. We spent it walking around, going in the souvenir shops, and watching CNN on a flat screen TV at the boarding lounge.
They had a train within the airport. Truly another big airport in the biggest state of the US. Six years ago, I landed on Dallas Fort Worth Airport. I was impressed by its size. Now, after seeing this other airport in Texas, I came to conclude --
That's how it is in Texas! Everything MUST be big! Haha!
Randolf and I are more relaxed now. We are waiting for our LAST change plane.
Plane #4: Houston to Detroit
We took our plane for Detroit at 10:18am. It was a pleasant ride and we were served snacks. At around 3pm we landed in Detroit. Ahhh! Finally!!! 30 hours of seeming endless travel STOPS HERE. Yahuuu!
Just a few steps from the plane, I bumped into something that reminded me of GM (General Motors). You see, I left my job in Manila where I got involved with a project for GM. Now, here I am, just a few steps into Detroit (for my new
job), yet again with GM. Haha! It was a souvenir shop with GM memorabilia. It has clothes, keychains, bags, etc. Just from within the airport I can feel how this city exudes the world title it is known for. Truly, I am at the Motor Capital of the World!
Note:
The news say otherwise. The car industry here in Detroit is plummeting. Headlines say GM is trying to buy out Chrysler. True? I dont know. Just a rumor. But the fact is, Japanese automotive companies are taking over. Side Note:
I am back to the US after 5 years. These are the states I have been to so far (in red) plus Guam, which is a US territory.
Visited US States Map
Advertisement
Tot: 0.248s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 16; qc: 74; dbt: 0.1153s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb