I'm in Seoul right now, about 10 hours in to a 24-hour layover before my flight to Phnom Penh. A few observations and notes from my travels so far:
-Out of 3 total flights to get from Pittsburgh to Phnom Penh, all 3 were changed from the time I originally booked the tickets. 2 of them were changed at the airport when I arrived. Air travel is frustrating.
-I've never travelled internationally by myself before, and I'll admit, I was/am a little nervous about it. A few minor hiccups so far, but overall not too bad. So while I'd rather have a travel buddy, if it's between going alone or not going, I'll go alone.
-On my flight from Pittsburgh to San Francisco, beverage service was only available for purchase! I know airlines have been getting stingy with meals lately, but I was disappointed to see I had to pay $2 for water on a 5 hour flight. Tsk tsk, US Air.
-There were a surprising number of people at the airport bar at 8am.
-Those little blow-up travel pillows that are shaped like toilet seats? Priceless. So I look totally dorky- it saves me from hunching over and drooling on my seatmate when I fall asleep. Which I'm sure he appreciates as much as I do.
-When I arrived in Seoul and got my checked bag, the pull-out handle on my rolling suitcase was busted. Crap.
-I have a 24 hour layover in Seoul, which is the result of changes and delays with my flights. Because of that, I had a voucher from the airline for a hotel and meals during the layover. Very nice of them and very much appreciated. All I needed to do was find the Asiana information desk in the Seoul airport to pick it up. Easier said then done. After a little wandering (dragging my busted suitcase) and a few wrong directions, I ended up at an Asiana ticketing counter. A very nice employee notified me that I was at the wrong counter, on the wrong floor, but instead of just pointing me in the right direction, she walked with me to the correct place. I could have kissed her. Kudos to you, Asiana Airlines, for your exceptional customer service.
-It took me- literally- 10 minutes of fumbling around in the dark trying to figure out how to turn the light on in my hotel room. No switches anywhere when you first walk in. No floor lamps. Two switches by the bathroom that aren't working. It turns out there's a magnetic pad inside the door that you need to insert your room keychain into which activates a master light. From there, the light switches work, and some are activated by the tv remote. No signs anywhere stating that, no one mentioned it to me when I was checking in. I came very close to giving up and embracing the darkness.
-This lack of sleep/ time change/ multiple long flights thing is kicking my butt. Overall though- holy crap, I'm really doing this. Living a dream. As crazyexcitingscaryexhilarating as it is.
my poor busted suitcase (don't judge me for the picture quality, this was taken from the webcam on my laptop):
-Out of 3 total flights to get from Pittsburgh to Phnom Penh, all 3 were changed from the time I originally booked the tickets. 2 of them were changed at the airport when I arrived. Air travel is frustrating.
-I've never travelled internationally by myself before, and I'll admit, I was/am a little nervous about it. A few minor hiccups so far, but overall not too bad. So while I'd rather have a travel buddy, if it's between going alone or not going, I'll go alone.
-On my flight from Pittsburgh to San Francisco, beverage service was only available for purchase! I know airlines have been getting stingy with meals lately, but I was disappointed to see I had to pay $2 for water on a 5 hour flight. Tsk tsk, US Air.
-There were a surprising number of people at the airport bar at 8am.
-Those little blow-up travel pillows that are shaped like toilet seats? Priceless. So I look totally dorky- it saves me from hunching over and drooling on my seatmate when I fall asleep. Which I'm sure he appreciates as much as I do.
-When I arrived in Seoul and got my checked bag, the pull-out handle on my rolling suitcase was busted. Crap.
-I have a 24 hour layover in Seoul, which is the result of changes and delays with my flights. Because of that, I had a voucher from the airline for a hotel and meals during the layover. Very nice of them and very much appreciated. All I needed to do was find the Asiana information desk in the Seoul airport to pick it up. Easier said then done. After a little wandering (dragging my busted suitcase) and a few wrong directions, I ended up at an Asiana ticketing counter. A very nice employee notified me that I was at the wrong counter, on the wrong floor, but instead of just pointing me in the right direction, she walked with me to the correct place. I could have kissed her. Kudos to you, Asiana Airlines, for your exceptional customer service.
-It took me- literally- 10 minutes of fumbling around in the dark trying to figure out how to turn the light on in my hotel room. No switches anywhere when you first walk in. No floor lamps. Two switches by the bathroom that aren't working. It turns out there's a magnetic pad inside the door that you need to insert your room keychain into which activates a master light. From there, the light switches work, and some are activated by the tv remote. No signs anywhere stating that, no one mentioned it to me when I was checking in. I came very close to giving up and embracing the darkness.
-This lack of sleep/ time change/ multiple long flights thing is kicking my butt. Overall though- holy crap, I'm really doing this. Living a dream. As crazyexcitingscaryexhilarating as it is.
my poor busted suitcase (don't judge me for the picture quality, this was taken from the webcam on my laptop):
{December 6, 2008 10:05 AM} Eileen said: First off...WOW Kim! You are awesome, courageous, incredibly loving for doing what you are doing. We'll be praying for your safe travels and overall trip. Secondly, I'm glad someone else finds the $2 drinks on US AIR frustrating, as well as the long layovers, and key-activated light switches. AHHHHH! (Mike and I just came back from travelling) This sounds like such an exciting life-changing opportunity. I wish you a wonderful, safe trip! You go girl!
{December 6, 2008 1:11 PM} lyndsay said: i love the "i'm pretty sure this isn't your bag" tag. I can actually hear you saying that to someone. I'm so happy for you!
{December 6, 2008 8:25 PM} Kimberly said: Hi Eileen! Thank you so much! I love to travel, but the actual act of getting to places can get pretty frustrating. Where did you and Mike travel to?
{December 6, 2008 8:25 PM} Kimberly said: yep, i thought that tag was a pretty good fit. :)