The plane smells good. Boarding was like walking into a dream sequence. I’ve never felt more like I was dreaming. There was pleasant music flowing out into the under construction boarding gate way. The wide airy plane was filled with color – orange, lavender and fuchsia seats for a start, each bedecked with colorful throws, paper head rest covers emblazoned with small designs, blue T.V.s glowing from the back of every seat. Next, we saw that there were actually paintings on the plane. The flight assistants were stunning – the ladies dressed I what in my overwhelming ignorance I will call dresses or trip robes – canary, lime, tangerine, and burgundy.
It is a bit touristy, but also very nice. There are menus, and live video feeding from a camera in the cock-pit [we stream take off], there are little purple purses (with ear phones inside) that say “take me home” on the back. [they just brought by hot towels! Hot towels!]
The flight will be 16.5 hours long. We are crossing the pacific ocean by means of the kodiac islands. Erin and I are the first two players to log into “multi-player Tetris” and she promptly wins as I try to figure out the controls to realize- I was looking at the wrong screen. Xavier, I’m thinking of you!
Our good-byes wisk away with the pale smudge of California. Mom, as it’s night, the pacific is black. We chase the sun around the globe until it is chasing us.
Riding with Erin has been lovely. I’m so glad to have my flying buddy, who doesn’t complain when I bite her shoulder now and again in a fit of excitement. I think I packed the least of anyone here. Which means I have lots of room to buy things there! We met Ellen at the airport and by some freak chance she was right next to us on the first plane to O’hare.
I am walking into a culture I know almost nothing about. I am walking into a families arms and I speak quite honestly two words in the language ( which I will now attempt to spell) So Wa Ri Ka = hello and My Pet = Not spicy. Rather the most important two words if you ask me, followed closely by what ever thank you is. I am walking into so much that I am so utterly unprepared for an d its… liberating… I have nothing to hold me back. I have only possibly to learn more and to develop understanding. I have complete confidence that the program will teach me Thai at a pace, and in a way, that I will learn. I am confident I can smile my way into… well… I’m a bit nervous about meeting the family. But not much.
We just had dinner. Woot. The main dish was really good. Pork. Just a tiny tiny tiny bit spicy. Tea with dinner was a God-send. Its 3:56 AM Eastern Time.
I have been anticipating, and talking about, and planning for, this trip so long that there is this huge build-up of action just waiting to happen. I feel like I am watching a very long preview before the show.
I wore my hair in a French braid, it’s like all parts of me want to try something new.
[Erin agrees it feels really good to drink something warm]
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