This post has nothing to do with creative writing nor artwork. My sole purpose is to let you know that I arrived in Bangkok last night. I have to admit that I found the flight here tedious to say the least. After rising at 4 AM in Portland, catching a 2 hour flight to Los Angeles, then boarding an 11 hour flight to Tokyo,and then finally, after sitting at the gate for an hour because of a sick passenger, a 6 1/2 hour flight to Bangkok followed then by a 45 minute taxi ride to my hotel, I arrived at 1 AM the following day and, of course, feel like crap. Actually, I am quite happy mentally and eager to see the sights, but have decided to rest this morning and acclimate to the incredibly humid air and the squalor.
The experience of flying with Japan Airlines was rewarding. I was one of the few non-Japanese on the plane and was fascinated by the interactions of the people. I saw much bowing and gentle smiles. People showed me great courtesy. I was playfully teased and urged by a flight attendant and old man who was sitting next to me to try a number of Japanese foods available to business class passengers. I accepted if they both agreed to let me to do sketches of them.The review of the final products generated much amusement.
As I sit here thousands of miles away from home, my nephew Mark's insight comes to mind. He asked rhetorically how a person can have any complaints with flying. He made me remember that riding on the plane's cushioned seat, which retracts into a bed, is like sitting on a magic carpet flying at pell mell speed. It wasn't that long ago that sailors spent months in unknown seas or explorers crossed strange lands in the face of countless peril from hostile people, threatened by dangerous weather or rampant disease. In a moment of frustration or despair, at least one such adventurer looked at the sky and saw a comet whizzing by and must have thought how wonderful it would be to travel distance at that speed. Today that shooting star is just one of dozens of jet trails littering the night sky. Yesterday I was in Oregon, today Thailand. I had to sit a long time. Foolish me to whine about my exhausting journey!
It's good to keep perspective about now vs. then. I hate being cramped in small plane seats with no leg-room, but many flights have been very pleasant - especially before they began turning passengers into sardines. I have lots to say about how airlines could make travelling better. I'm sure I'd like to try First or Business Class!
ReplyDeleteAnd so begins the journey! I don't enjoy flying any more, but I am so excited for you and this latest adventure! Make the most of every moment!!
ReplyDeleteAh, heck! Whine away. That's a long flight anyway you look at it and you're entitled. I was wondering about your "soul purpose," though. So what is your "soul purpose"? Heh, heh.
ReplyDeleteNice that the Japanese passengers interacted with you. But I'm not sure I would have eaten the food. I have a delightful Japanese neighbor but don't appreciate the cuisine!
And now that you're in Bangkok, what is your plan? How much freedom will you have to explore? Are there secret police watching you?
It is pretty wild to be in one world one day and another world the next.
Have fun, whatever you do!
Personally, I think you went off to Asia just to avoid the political TV advertisements!
Ah, heck! Whine away. That's a long flight anyway you look at it and you're entitled. I was wondering about your "soul purpose," though. So what is your "soul purpose"? Heh, heh.
ReplyDeleteNice that the Japanese passengers interacted with you. But I'm not sure I would have eaten the food. I have a delightful Japanese neighbor but don't appreciate the cuisine!
And now that you're in Bangkok, what is your plan? How much freedom will you have to explore? Are there secret police watching you?
It is pretty wild to be in one world one day and another world the next.
Have fun, whatever you do!
Personally, I think you went off to Asia just to avoid the political TV advertisements!
@tapirgal:
ReplyDeleteBefore I say anything else, I have to thank you for adding a new expression to contemporary English: Sardine Class. That was how I flew from Ontario Airport to Oakland and back on Southwest Airlines recently. What used to be called Coach is now Sardine Class. Fortunately, in that instance it was only a one-hour flight.
@Lee,
You must be getting old. This is the first time I've ever known you to complain about any plane trip no matter how long it was, even if you did remind yourself to count your blessings. I think it must have been getting up at 4:00 a.m. in Portland that did it. If you hadn't started out tired, you would have been in better frame of mind to enjoy the surrealistic strangeness of being one of the very few Americans on a plane full of Japanese businessmen flying home. I know you enjoyed it anyway, but I mean even more than you did.
You already sound happier and more focused than in your last few posts. I'm looking forward to reading your impressions of Bangkok after you've overcome the exhaustion and jet lag.
The Japanese psyche is gentle and beautiful, hardworking and temperate. Americans can learn a lot from the Japanese. How fortunate that you can interact with them.
ReplyDeleteMark is right. Look at what you're doing. Look at what you get to experience and where! I envy you this opportunity and look forward to seeing it through your eyes.