Taipei, Taiwan
It is Thursday March 31st at 6:41 a.m. and I am sitting in the Taipei China Airlines Dynasty Club. I made it! Well, at least this far anyway which is pretty darn far. The flight was amazing. The upgrade to business class on China Airlines thanks to all those Hong Kong miles was incredible. I've never had service like that anywhere let alone an airplane.
I had my own row in the upper deck of a 747 and I truly felt out of place. Who gets used to service like that? There was a large crowd of people, 99.9% Asian, at the gate but I was let on first with the rest of business and first class. I was escorted to the stairway where I was greeted by classical music floating down from above. At the top of the stairs I was greeted by two BEAUTIFUL flight attendants who pointed me towards the forward seats There are only 24 seats up here of which only half would be used. I casually strolled towards my seat as if I had "been there, done that" only to discover 5 minutes later that I was in the wrong seat. And row. It wasn't confusing, I was just out of it. They pointed to my correct seat and I immediately sat in the wrong one again. I simply pointed out that I wanted to try all the seats on for size. Yes, we all had a good laugh at me. I think.
My seat was 2nd row right side. Two seat to a side and I had both for lounging. Foot stools, reclining seatbacks, the works. The flight attendants couldn't have been more kind or gracious. Slippers for the feet, hot towels for the face, GLASSES of juice, private 6" screen in the arm-rest with my choice of about 5 movies, 10 Nintendo games, or an animated airplane screen that showed our exact position on the globe with all the in-flight stats a geek like me would enjoy. At one point I noticed we were over Japan's coastline at 540 mph, 35,000 feet, and -70 degrees F but, with the wind I'm guessing it felt like -700 F. I felt just a bit out of place in my tattered cargo pants and a smelly shirt. I wasn't planning on living out of a carry-on that long! Think, peace-corps volunteer wins the lotto and immediately books one of the nicest flights possible.
An hour after takeoff I was served my pre-takeoff ordered prosciutto wrapped sea bass with lobster ravioli. That was after the salad and sushi appetizers. A fruit plate and tiramisu followed everything. I'm sure I just lost all my sympathy votes so I may as well tell you after my 4-5 hour nap swaddled in pillows and blankets and watching Friday Night Lights and Ladder 49, I was served breakfast at around 3:00 a.m. of wild mushroom and Swiss cheese omelette. Preceded, of course, by a fruit plate and croissant. After my coffee I went to the bathroom which is fairly private since there are only a few of us using it. Everytime someone exited, an attendant went in to straighten things for the next person. James Bond never had it so good.
All the passengers kept to themselves and no one said a word to anyone else. I tried to catch an eye or two to no avail. The attendants were very nice and engaging though. I'm sure I fell in love a time or two somewhere over the Pacific.
It is slightly disturbing to my better sensibilities of the service I just received. I'm not used to being waited on hand and foot especially with where I am going. But, I don't make the rules I just follow them, sometimes happily. The juxtaposition of that flight and what is to come in the next 20 hours will be extraordinary. I will completely go from one end of the comfort spectrum to the other quicker than you can say tiramisu. Perhaps this will be a good lesson in truly understanding the differences between the have-alls and the have-nothings.
Oh, yes. I must also mention when I left the S.F. airport Hyatt my bill was somewhat different than I had expected. Due to my staggering around the S.F. airport at 4:00 a.m. 2 1/2 days prior, I forgot to get a "distressed passenger voucher" for a discount at the Hyatt. Add to that 2 room service meals and 3 nights instead of 2 because I need the extra time in the room before my midnight flight Tuesday, I was expecting a rather large bill. When I checked out I didn't need to sign anything so they just handed me my receipt, smiled and said "Thank you for your stay." My hotel bill was about 1/3 what it should have been. I don't know if Jasmit had a hand in this but since he helped me so much at the business center I have to suspect as much. Thank you Jasmit and the entire Hyatt staff! My stay couldn't have gone any better and you were an oasis for this weary traveler.
Combining this unexpected courtesy with the wonderful emails I am receiving it's all a bit overwhelming. Thank you all so much for the well wishes and prayers. Keep them coming! Your support means so much to me and the mental journey to come, I suspect, will be the hardest road to walk.
My flight for Bangkok leaves at 9:10 a.m. in just a few hours and lasts 3 hours 40 minutes. It won't be a 747 but I think I'll survive. Then a 9 hour layover in Bangkok and finally a 3.5 hour flight to Colombo which will arrive there 11:30 p.m. tonight. Just in time for me to ask, "Huh?"
I'm not sure when I'll be able to check in next. Maybe hours, maybe days, but as soon as I can I will. Until then...
-Chris
I had my own row in the upper deck of a 747 and I truly felt out of place. Who gets used to service like that? There was a large crowd of people, 99.9% Asian, at the gate but I was let on first with the rest of business and first class. I was escorted to the stairway where I was greeted by classical music floating down from above. At the top of the stairs I was greeted by two BEAUTIFUL flight attendants who pointed me towards the forward seats There are only 24 seats up here of which only half would be used. I casually strolled towards my seat as if I had "been there, done that" only to discover 5 minutes later that I was in the wrong seat. And row. It wasn't confusing, I was just out of it. They pointed to my correct seat and I immediately sat in the wrong one again. I simply pointed out that I wanted to try all the seats on for size. Yes, we all had a good laugh at me. I think.
My seat was 2nd row right side. Two seat to a side and I had both for lounging. Foot stools, reclining seatbacks, the works. The flight attendants couldn't have been more kind or gracious. Slippers for the feet, hot towels for the face, GLASSES of juice, private 6" screen in the arm-rest with my choice of about 5 movies, 10 Nintendo games, or an animated airplane screen that showed our exact position on the globe with all the in-flight stats a geek like me would enjoy. At one point I noticed we were over Japan's coastline at 540 mph, 35,000 feet, and -70 degrees F but, with the wind I'm guessing it felt like -700 F. I felt just a bit out of place in my tattered cargo pants and a smelly shirt. I wasn't planning on living out of a carry-on that long! Think, peace-corps volunteer wins the lotto and immediately books one of the nicest flights possible.
An hour after takeoff I was served my pre-takeoff ordered prosciutto wrapped sea bass with lobster ravioli. That was after the salad and sushi appetizers. A fruit plate and tiramisu followed everything. I'm sure I just lost all my sympathy votes so I may as well tell you after my 4-5 hour nap swaddled in pillows and blankets and watching Friday Night Lights and Ladder 49, I was served breakfast at around 3:00 a.m. of wild mushroom and Swiss cheese omelette. Preceded, of course, by a fruit plate and croissant. After my coffee I went to the bathroom which is fairly private since there are only a few of us using it. Everytime someone exited, an attendant went in to straighten things for the next person. James Bond never had it so good.
All the passengers kept to themselves and no one said a word to anyone else. I tried to catch an eye or two to no avail. The attendants were very nice and engaging though. I'm sure I fell in love a time or two somewhere over the Pacific.
It is slightly disturbing to my better sensibilities of the service I just received. I'm not used to being waited on hand and foot especially with where I am going. But, I don't make the rules I just follow them, sometimes happily. The juxtaposition of that flight and what is to come in the next 20 hours will be extraordinary. I will completely go from one end of the comfort spectrum to the other quicker than you can say tiramisu. Perhaps this will be a good lesson in truly understanding the differences between the have-alls and the have-nothings.
Oh, yes. I must also mention when I left the S.F. airport Hyatt my bill was somewhat different than I had expected. Due to my staggering around the S.F. airport at 4:00 a.m. 2 1/2 days prior, I forgot to get a "distressed passenger voucher" for a discount at the Hyatt. Add to that 2 room service meals and 3 nights instead of 2 because I need the extra time in the room before my midnight flight Tuesday, I was expecting a rather large bill. When I checked out I didn't need to sign anything so they just handed me my receipt, smiled and said "Thank you for your stay." My hotel bill was about 1/3 what it should have been. I don't know if Jasmit had a hand in this but since he helped me so much at the business center I have to suspect as much. Thank you Jasmit and the entire Hyatt staff! My stay couldn't have gone any better and you were an oasis for this weary traveler.
Combining this unexpected courtesy with the wonderful emails I am receiving it's all a bit overwhelming. Thank you all so much for the well wishes and prayers. Keep them coming! Your support means so much to me and the mental journey to come, I suspect, will be the hardest road to walk.
My flight for Bangkok leaves at 9:10 a.m. in just a few hours and lasts 3 hours 40 minutes. It won't be a 747 but I think I'll survive. Then a 9 hour layover in Bangkok and finally a 3.5 hour flight to Colombo which will arrive there 11:30 p.m. tonight. Just in time for me to ask, "Huh?"
I'm not sure when I'll be able to check in next. Maybe hours, maybe days, but as soon as I can I will. Until then...
-Chris
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