travelling is fun.

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So, here is my first entry into this blog...I thought I'd start by reviewing the highlights of my trek here, which began at approx. 3am on Friday 11-AUG in Boston, MA, and ends at approx. 7:30am on Sunday 13-AUG in Hong Kong (total time: roughly 39 hours).

Friday 11-AUG (Boston time)
3am- awake for final packing and preparations for leaving. (3hrs sleep)
4:15am- Sean picks me up for ride to Logan. If this isn't friendship defined, I don't know what is. I figure I am on the hook for at least 3 apt/house moves for this one.
4:30-6:00- Logan is a madhouse due to recent media frenzy about London terrorism plot. Lines are clogged with people checking in for flights at 9am, 10am, noon, 1pm and beyond! Thankfully, American Airlines staffed for the occasion by only opening two security chutes. I make my flight, but it takes off late..
6:15- flight to Chicago takes off.
8:15(Chicago time)- Land, but not in time to make connection to LAX. I rebook, but the next flight I can get on, doesn't get me into LAX in time to make my 1:20 flight to Hong Kong, next flight from LAX to HK isn't until 11:55pm that night!
11:15(Chicago)- Take off for LA. I end up in a soaking wet seat (someone had spilled something on the flight before it seems) and get awoken by the flight attendant cranked my outstreched leg with the drink cart!
1:20 (LA time)- Land in LAX. I leave the domestic terminal and go scope out the Int'l terminal. It seems as if my flight to HK is still loading, but the Cathay ticketing counter is empty. I fly through security, and literally sprint the near quarter-mile it is to the gate. OF course, my flight is loading from the gate furthest away and as I approach I see 7-8 Cathay Pacific agents and no passengers around the gate. They yell out "are you Evan Ouellette?? (albeit in an interesting accent), and I yell back, still running and waving my boarding pass.."Yes!!". One of the agents takes my ticket and scurries down the jetway. Only to return a minute saying, "I'm sorry..they will not let you on."
1:45- The Cathay Pac. agent takes my useless boarding pass and passport and tells me to "wait here. I'll be right back." About 20 minutes later another agent returns with my documents and says, "You're all set for the 11:55. Show up about 8:00 tonight to check-in." I'm told my bag is currently being held by Cathay Pacific and will be transferred accordingly.
2:00- I now have about 10 hours to kill so I grab a bite and then head out of the airport to hopefully find a hotel where I can grab some shuteye for a couple hours. I end up at the La Quinta Inn, where a 4.5 hours stay costs $105!! A steal, since the Westin across the street wanted $150!!

From there...the remainder of the trip isn't nearly as eventful...I made my flight at 11:55, and I must give a fine thanks to the people of Sony. Their PSP is quite a fine way to kill a several hours on a plane. I also had the lucky fortune of getting seated in an emergency row...which allowed me to get a solid 4-5 hours of plane sleep.

So finally, on our approach into HK...we are told by the Cappy that we severely damaged a tire on take off (we all thought something sounded a bit harsh when we took off), and that while it wouldn't affect the landing, we might have to be towed into the gate. Luckily, I was so drowsy from the events of the pass day that this news didn't really affect me all that much, but it probably should have. We landed safely and were then told that we were unable to taxi due to the damaged wheel. So we had to spend an extra hour on the runway waiting for them to figure out how we would get to the gate.

When we finally made it, I was then called to the desk and told that they did not have my bag because 11 extra hours of me sitting in LA wasn't enough time for them to move the bag five feet and put it on the plane. Oh well, I made it...was jet-lag free...and am having a great time in Hong Kong.

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Comments

[Janet]

Is this a Seinfeld Episode
Hi Evan, Glad you made it safe and sound, but I have to admit you had me roaring at your comments. I know, air travel is just a delight. I really think this was an episode of Seinfeld, or it could be a comedy flick. HA HA Hey it could have been worse. Like the movie that is opening on Friday, there could have been Snakes on a Plane. HA HA The pictures are wonderful and I look forward to seeing more from both you and Lisa. Happy Flying, Janet

[TLOVER]

Sean is a pimp.
The best part of this whole thing is the "wet seat" detail.