The Longest Day(s) of My Life

Today started off excellently, with my favorite breakfast of a bagel with two eggs, bacon and cheese. Said goodbye to my dogs, and drove to the lovely Newark International Airport.  Of course, I arrived 3+ hours before my flight due to my height.  Trying to get bulkhead or exit row seats is no picnic. After checking in, I was told that the Continental people were wrong, and that they could not change my seat, but I should try for the agents at the gate.  So it goes.  After picking the slower line at security, which, I might add was probably more lax and speedy than usual, I arrived at my gate.  Time 1pm. Flight 3:30pm. (Note that I found out later about the guy who tried to skip through security at Newark causing a 6+ hour delay for all international flights!).

(My lovely plane.  I was right by that exit door on the wing)

Almost immediately, I went up to the gate agent and put my name on their “special list”, which apparently not everyone gets on.  I’m pretty sure she saw my legs and had pity, thankfully.  I sat down, and soon after, there was a group of about five of us exchange students at the Hong Kong gate.  Its funny how the 20-year old group congregates so quickly.  One of them was going to my university, CUHK, while the others were at a different university in Hong Kong. (Flash forward – Mike (from Notre Dame) and I turned out to be flatmates mnay hours later).

About 10 minutes before boarding I got called up to the gate and got pushed up one row to the exit row.  My prayers had been answered. Unlimited legroom plus a window to lean on – my day just got a thousand times better.

On the plane, the reality started setting in as they began reading the seat-belt instructions in Mandarin.  Holy crap I’m going to China! Nope, I’m not going back to WashU in a couple of weeks.  I’m going to be in Hong Kong for five months! How did this happen?! How did I become a second semester junior already? Wasn’t I just moving into Ruby 1 on a blisteringly hot and humid St. Louis day? God, how time flies.

As for the rest of the plane, I’m sitting next to one of the other exchange students, so I have a travel companion.  However, under other circumstances, I would be pretty upset with the surroundings.  Behind me are two ~10-year olds traveling together alone.  Of course, they have figured out that their feet DO in fact reach the back of my seat, and are letting me know that every few minutes.  And we’re only in Hour 2.  The other worst thing is that in the middle row next to me, there is an infant, who is also defiant in letting everyone else on the plane know that she is an infant.  I hope the mother brought sedatives.

Up next: many hours of 30 Rock, Dexter, The Lost Symbol, and some Lunesta to put me out.  See you when I touch down!

At 8:30pm HK time we arrived, got through customs rather easily, and met up with the CUHK students who were bringing us back to campus.  

(Getting to customs at HK Airport) 

(This was the first ad I saw, and it was just too ironic to pass up.  Apparently, HK hasn't heard yet)

(Arrival area at HK Airport)

We waited around for a bit for other exchange students to arrive, and left soon after.  I arrived at my dorm (hostel), called the International House (I-House) around 11 and got to sleep around 1am.

Longest day of my life officially over.