I drove to my friend's house and left the car- she lives close to Dulles. A taxi was waiting for me when I got there; perfect timing. The driver was interested in my trip and asked me a couple questions. I don't think he quite understood what I was saying (there was a slight language barrier) but the funny part was that he assumed I was 18 or 19 years old. He kept wondering if I had "permission" from my parents to go on this trip- I think he was surprised when I told him I had two kids of my own, and another on the way. I'm the one giving permission these days!
By the time I got to the airport, I was starving. I should have eaten breakfast at home but I was too busy getting ready to go and feeding the boys to manage more than half a piece of toast. So I figured I'd pay homage to America and have one last bon voyage burger from Fuddrucker's. I pretty much immediately regretted that decision.
My biggest worry about the flight has been that I'd be sat next to someone smelly (or sick), which is kind of ridiculous, but my nose is super sensitive right now and I didn't know if I could handle it. A few people have mentioned to me that it's worth it to try and ask for an upgrade when you get to the gate, so I figured I'd give it a try. Well, I had this whole practiced speech about how I haven't been feeling well, am pregnant and nervous about traveling alone, and I thought it was kind of well received. They had me sit and wait while they spoke to their manager. You know how when you buy a lottery ticket, you start dreaming about how you're going to be a millionaire and how you're going to buy all these things and have a great life? That's how I started to feel- I could just envision my first class seat and my extra leg room and special treatment. Well, I felt like a pretty big idiot when they came back and said they could move me to the first row (economy) but I'd be sitting next to an infant. Now, I love babies more than the next person, but I just signed up to go away from mine for 12 days and the last thing I want to do is sit next to a crying, poopy kid on the airplane for 14 hours. No, thanks. If I wanted to sit next to an infant, I would have brought Everett. So I tried one more time to ask if anything in First was available, and they practically laughed at me and did the little money gesture with their fingers. Got it. Thanks.
I went to sit down and wait to board when I realized my phone was almost dead. Not sure how that happened, but I guess it wasn't plugged in on the way up here. So I sat and charged it as long as I could. I waited til almost everyone boarded before I got up, and stood at the back of the line. A flight attendant motioned for me to come down the Preferred lane, so I followed her orders and then I had all these Koreans talking to me in Korean and wanting to escort me to my seat- til they saw my ticket again and said, "oh, economy." Hey, I wasn't the one who told me to go down the Preferred lane! They had almost given me false hope again, thinking I might have been upgraded while I was sulking and charging my phone. No such luck. But guess what, there was a USB plug at my seat so I could at least charge my phone.
I think someone was on my side. I was only 5 rows back from that horrid infant (ok, so she was actually pretty cute) and I think I'm the only one on this plane who has an entire row to myself. No first class, but this might be just as good. Three pillows, three blankets, three TVs, three bottled waters, and no smelly people! Woohoo! I have even been able to lay down across the seats and attempt a nap. I underestimated the length of this flight and the difficult time difference so I'm in this constant state of wondering if I should be sleeping but knowing it's like 4pm in my head. So far I've watched one movie (The Internship), played Tetris (was kind of disappointed there wasn't an in flight poker game going on), and watched a special on Korea.
Lunch was decent, except that I was stuffed from my stupid burger (here come my regrets) so I couldn't fully enjoy the bi bim bap I've heard so much about on this flight. There was also seaweed soup, oranges, and pickled vegetables. I forced myself to eat it but I'm just mad about the burger. I've had guava nectar and pineapple juice, and honey roasted peanuts and a brownie, too. Probably not what those freaking First classers are getting, but hey, I have three seats to lay on.
I think something that's going to be difficult on this trip is that everyone just assumes I speak Korean and starts talking to me in Korean. Then, when I have to give them the regretful, guilty look and say something in English about how I have no clue what they're saying, I know I've let them down. I can feel the disappointment come out of their eyes. After that, it's all English and abruptness with me. Whatever. I'm wearing your little foam slippers, isn't that enough?
Well, that's it for now...see you on the other side. 8 hours to go, 6 hours down.
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