Sunday, February 5, 2012

Getting There - No Small Feat

If this had been a trip to Florida, this post wouldn't exist. Traveling twelve time zones really feels different. The first leg took me from DTW in Michigan direct to Tokyo (NRT). I sat in seat 1A on a Boeing 747 -- what a trip that was just in itself. I was served three excellent meals, and a glass of port whenever I felt like having one, which was about five times, give or take.

After watching Beth and her melatonin supplements endure about ten days of jet-lag when she came home after her 'look-see' trip in December, I decided to begin implementation of my own strategy for avoiding this. The strategy is simple in concept: stay awake when it's light - sleep when it's dark. Generally. 

The flight from Detroit to Tokyo was 13 hours. It was light outside the entire time (noon take-off in the US, traveling west, landing at 4pm local Japan time) I stayed awake the entire time. I also watched three movies with noise-blocking headphones, which kept me from hearing the snoring fat guy next to me.

Narita Airport was nice, quiet, and very comfortable. I was only there for about two hours, but my sister asked me to take some random photos for her Pokemon-crazed sons. So....
I'm pretty sure this is good news about my connecting flight

No delay - good news indeed
I'm glad I didn't need to do this


Two useful places
Crowded - good ramen


OK!
After about two hours at NRT airport in Tokyo, I boarded another plane and sat in seat 1A again. This was a seven hour 'hop' to Bangkok. At some point after dinner, my body took over and forced me to sleep about 2-3 hours. That was ok, because it was dark outside. By the time I landed in Bangkok, it was about midnight. My cab got me to our apt by about 1am, and there was *Beth* waiting in the lobby! We giggled like teenagers -- it was so great!! She looked just as I remembered! (Ok, it was only a month, but still...)

I slept through the night like the dead. Good thing, because Beth had her own plans of forcing me to immediately stick to the local clock...



3 comments:

  1. Mr.Simon,
    We were so glad to hear from you. My 4th and 5th grade social studies class has enjoyed reading about your adventures in Thailand so far. We are all trying to post comments and well wishes to you. Take Care, Miss Wrob

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    Replies
    1. Congratulations, Miss Wrob -- You are my very first commenter! I think Mr. Godin has enabled connectivity between our gmail.com school accounts and this blogger.com account, so that viewing/commenting will be easier from school.

      What a place Bangkok is! I learn so much every day, and I see no slowing down. This weekend, I'm hoping to take a tour of the canals by boat. Before the car was invented, apparently, it was *the* way people got around this place beyond walking.

      And... if you or your students have any helpful hints that would make this blog better, I'd like to hear!

      Peace,
      GSimonMusic

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  2. Mr. Simon,
    My entire class typed individual comments on your blog, but they were denied posting access from the school gmail accounts. We will be in touch with Mr. Godin and try again soon. Until then just know that we are checking in and reading your blog as part of our Social Studies class! Miss Wrob:)

    ReplyDelete