Chapter 3: Bangkok, Thailand

The Blue Mile

Airports do not always support multiple jetway entries into an aircraft.  Typically, budget-minded individuals (or those who would prefer not to drop $8,000 on a seat) are coerced into walking through the First and/or Business class cabin arrangements to reach the sardine cans of Coach.  In lieu of the blue seats and carpet of the airplane’s interior, and the Death Row-like feeling of the back of the plane, I often refer to this trek as the Blue Mile.  Now, I rarely travel with concern over the luxury of my circumstances.  I am often more content in less pretentious, more modest environments, so long as there are no dead rodents or stained sheets.  However, when one steps into pressurized metal tubes with recycled air and upright seats providing little more than 12” recline and leg extension, for 13 hours, comfort quickly becomes a concern. 

This is where proactively requesting Emergency Exit rows becomes a saving grace.   On my first time flying Air China, I was adequately satisfied with the 6+ feet of leg room; even more so that the blanket and pillow ($7 on domestic US Airways flights to rent) were waiting on my seat.  It has been many years since my last overseas flight, thus would not have surprised me if such commodities required payment. 

Sleep deprivation from nearly 30 hours of being awake was overshadowed by the anxiety induced adrenaline from an overbooked, and thus significantly delayed Southwest flight into LA.  After a hasty transition from baggage claim to International check-in and security, I rolled up to the gate as boarding to Beijing commenced.  The intent was to sleep for the majority of the flight.  I did not.  I was far too immersed by the touch screen entertainment system.  At my finger’s disposal contained 30+ movies (some in Chinese – very entertaining), TV Shows (including Glee…), Games (Tennis and Ping Pong!), Chinese Pop (Song Zu Ying?), and even an interactive 3D map.  When that got old, my seat charger sustained my cell phone and laptop long enough to prolong sleep until almost halfway through the flight.  Besides, who can sleep through free Chinese beer and wine?

Up next:  A $12 one hour Thai massage, 2-for-1 beers at the hotel bar, and a photo walk through the streets of Bangkok.

By the numbers:  28 hours of commute (19 hours flying time).  On the planes:  5 beers.  3 glasses of wine.  3 meals.  2 emails, 1 phone number, and 2 business cards obtained. 7 accents overheard (Chinese, Korean, Dutch, Australian, England, Thai, and… New York).