Happy to be home after our 50-day trip in the US in
August-September to visit the family but major lakwatsa withdrawals now
wildly kicking in.
It seems just yesterday when we were bundling up for the
cold and getting scared once the weather forecast reaches the low 50s and now
we’re back home complaining how hot it is here ha ha. Time flies by so fast!
Especially when you are having fun!
Our first 2 weeks in the US was packed and we couldn’t be
any more pleased. The trip was even more special because we were with this side
of the family to break the sourdough bread (I ate my weight in sourdough bread
and Angus rib eyes!) and be tourists with. The last time we were all together
like this, was back in 2010 on a trip to Cebu and Bohol.
We have about a billion photos, give or take, so I’m diving
into the constantly wanderlusting corners of my mind to try to document the
trip in a series for posterity. I don’t want to forget anything as everyday
held some fascinating detail.
HOW WE SURVIVED OUR FIRST LONG HAUL FLIGHT:
August 4, 2015. We landed at the San Francisco International
Airport (IATA Code: SFO) after a 16-hour flight from Manila via Cathay Pacific
with a connecting flight in Hong Kong International Airport (IATA Code: HKG).
Our short 4 hours in HK was spent browsing the impressive array of duty free
shops. There was no shopping to be had in the transit at least so
self-restraint was aided with a generous dose of extremely good Hainanese
Chicken Rice.
It was our first long haul flight and first trip outside of
Asia. I was prepared for it dressed in relaxed but still presentable travel
clothes - garments that doesn’t wrinkle and comfortable enough to sleep in and
ballet flats for easy slip on and off. I
am always cold so I dress in layers. I am one of those persons with neck
pillows, socks pulled up and with dark glasses stuck to their faces.
My carry on that goes under the seat in front of me has more
than enough snacks for Kimbee (takot magutom!), books and ipad and toiletries
with lots of wet wipes and a moisturizing spray.
Kimbee swears by noise canceling headphones and crossword
puzzles.
I can sleep
anywhere, even upright so I slept some easily on the flight, ate, watched a
movie, played some games, read and landed. Easy. But not typical for long hauls
I understand. More often than not, it is a test of endurance. Attend to your
hygiene so you don’t feel disgusting and would still feel and look fresh when
you land. Stay hydrated, go for a few walks and stretch.
Being
confined in a flying tube for extended period of time is not most people’s idea
of fun so I guess, a positive state of mind and attitude helped a good
deal. I remember feeling very
excited because flying long haul was still a novelty to me so the trip went by
in a jiffy.
Jetlag though was a bitch but an
excellent excuse to eat at odd hours.