Monday, August 2nd
Yes, I am aware that there is no Sunday post. This is because I have been travelling across many time zones for the past two days so I was never quite sure what day it was. And seeing the sun set and then rise again from the same aircraft (twice) really screws with your mind.
LAX-ing It Up
After saying goodbye to Ruth and Wayne Glass and grabbing a few snacks to stuff into random pockets of free space, my fam and I were off to airport! Seeing the giant LAX letters as we entered the Los Angeles airport unfortunately prompted Miley Cyrus’s Party in the USA. Which was stuck in my head for hours. I cannot excuse it. I can only apologize.
After saying farewell to the fam and wishing them good luck on the rest of their journey, I entered the American Airlines terminal and was immediately greeted by a large, sweaty conglomerate. Yay. Competitively maneuvering my way to nearest kiosk (elbows may have been used) and chasing down an airline staffer to check my travel documents, I finally manage to obtain a boarding pass. Thank the gods I didn’t have to check in any luggage. Thumbing my nose at the long lines of jealous bag-checkers, I arrived at my gate only a mere twenty minutes later.
So the goal I set for myself for my journey across the world was to not buy any airplane food. That was the plan. Besides who wants to pay $9 for a slice of pizza? So prior to leaving, mi madre got me several granola bars to ease the hunger pains between airplane meals. However, not five minutes after I got to my gate (still in Los Angeles, mind you), I got so hungry that I immediately devoured two granola bars. Hunger discipline, fail. And I devour two more on my next flight. Hmmm….my plan might not work out as well as I planned.
Los Angeles to Chicago
The only thing of interest about this four and a half hour flight was that American Airlines didn’t feed me any. Nada. Zilch. Noodles. I mean, come on people! Not even a tiny bag with 3 peanuts like they used to?! Pshh, lame.
Chicago Airport
Now I have only ever heard horror stories about the O’Hare airport. Apparently it’s a nightmare trying to make connecting flights, as it is huge, weather often disrupts flights, and transportation and security are a bear. So you can understand my apprehension as I deboarded my plane, ready to make a dash to get to my connecting flight in time. Yet, despite me readying my running shoes, I was fairly disappointed to discover that my departing gate was close by. And by close by I mean literally the gate right next to mine. That was lame. Now I don’t have an exciting story to tell about me stealing one of those handicapped transport cars and running over old ladies in my rush to make my connecting flight.
I will say also, that once again, my mental discipline down, and I broke my inner promise not to buy airport food. Great job, Ellen. You made it 4 hours into your 34 hour travel time.
I also got Chinese food which was another slap in the face to my ability to keep mental promises. EVERY time I am hungry in an airport or a mall, I ALWAYS get Chinese food. And I always eat about 3 bites, get tired of it, and regret getting it. Without fail, every time. Yet, I never learn. I’m pathetic.
Chicago to London
This six or seven hour flight wasn’t too bad, mainly because I not only got a window seat (score!) but there was no one sitting next to me! I thus curled up across the two seats slept most of the way. After I watched Shrek: Forever After, of course. Which I must say, was not as horrible as it could have been. It was just annoying that every time the PA came on, the movie turned off and didn’t pause. Starting off as minorly annoyed, I soon became bitter and started the cursing the pilot when he turned on the PA to give SkyMall advertisements. Really?? Jerks. That was a crucial scene.
London Airport
Now, let me just say that I pride myself in my airport navigation ability. If you haven’t read it already, check the rules of my airport navigeer-ing here. But something about the Heathrow airport turned me back into a bumbling idiot. I got lost, I was slow through security, I kept dropping things, I looked like a newb. Needless to say, I was relieved to finally make it to my gate.
Unfortunately no one seemed to be there yet (I was meeting up with about 15 other GLIMPSE people), so I just chilled by myself in a seemingly empty terminal. Luckily, not too long after, I spotted some people who looked young, American, and wearing Carolina gear. Well, that was handy with the ID-ing. Not many Londoners wear Tarheel baseball caps on a daily basis. Call it a hunch.
London to Bangalore
Now, every flight, something must go wrong. This is Ellen’s Law regarding airplane travel. Something, be it flights randomly being cancelled, wings falling off, people having panic attacks and planes turning around, something can and will go wrong. Every time. This trip it was mechanical difficulties causing us to sit on the track for an hour and a half. Annoying, but definitely not the worst that’s happened.
Luckily, this flight I ALSO got a window seat. Three for three, baby! It was a packed flight though so no laying down for me. Damn. The guy next to me was nice, though. Sophomore engineer from D.C. heading home to visit his parents. Normally I despise airplane small talk, since you can’t escape after you exchange the basic pleasantries and factoids (Hi! Where are you going? What do you do? What was your favorite stuffed animal as a baby? The usual.), but once it wasn’t too bad. Besides, this poor guy had to put up with me crawling over him, me dropping things on him, me curling up awkwardly in his space, and the whole ordeal of Ellen Finding Space for Her Luggage.
I also saw the Milky Way. That was cool. I’m not normally in the right place or with clear enough skies for me to see it clearly. However, the flight did give me my first encounter with Indian food. And it was everything I expected it to be. A fiery, mushy dish of tongue-dissolving tendencies. And only one small water to stop all of my taste buds from dying completely. Sadness. Ah well. I shall just have to build up my tolerance. I should’ve eaten whole chilies in preparation for this trip.
Arrival
We finally arrive in Bangalore, India at the ripe old time of 5 am. We waited for everyone’s luggage forever (so glad I only brought a carryon), but finally, bedraggled and smelly, we step out of the airport and into India, our home for the next two weeks.
Well, that’s all I’m going to post right now. I’ll give you more details about my first impression in the next post. It’s dinnertime now. Cross your fingers that I don’t die! (I would be the first casualty from spicy food…)
Until later, mis amigos.