Day 1 - To Asia!

Our ride!

Sometimes it can be easy to forget how big the planet is.  Last month, Bill flew from the Middle East to DFW and it was about 16 hours.  Today, we flew DFW to Korea, and it was about 14.6 hours.  At the same time, it is amazing to think how “in reach” the whole world is (well, where there are non-stop flights!).

We boarded our flight, got situated in our seats, and the Purser (head flight attendant) came by to introduce herself, and ask our names.  Of course they have a manifest that tells them our formal names, but asking what to call me was a little nice.  I noticed later she had a post it note on the wall in the galley with everyone’s name in her aisle.  She proceeded to call me “Bill” the rest of the flight (which was a mix of nice and also weird).  Theresa pointed out to her that it was my birthday.  So, when she brought my dessert (ice cream*), she and Theresa sang Happy Birthday to me (which was a mix of nice and also weird)! 

Dinner time!

Grilled Beef!

*There is something about having Ice Cream on an airplane that just seems like the ultimate luxury.  By that, I mean the way AA does it, not the way some other airlines do.  We’ve had ice cream on other airlines where it is a little ball of ice cream maybe 7/8 inch diameter on the side of something.  AA puts a 2.5-3 inch ball in a glass, and then freezes it so cold the glass often has frost on it when they serve it you!  (Especially amazing given how dry the air is on airplanes!).  So, it is so good and not gone in one bite!

Anyway, we watched a movie (Barbie-OK and definitely some funny parts), and had dinner served during the movie.  Bill got the grilled beef which was VERY good, and Theresa got the Bibimbap, which was OK.  We then watched another (Haunted Mansion-supposedly a comedy but while moderately entertaining, not particularly funny), then we both got a couple of hours of sleep, waking in time for the mid-flight snack.  After another movie (A Haunting in Venice), we had our “light meal” and then it was about the end of the flight.  So, Asia is three movies, three meals, and a nap away.

Ideal route

Actual route (avoiding Russia!)

Since we technically started eating on the 7th, and
our last meal is on the 8th, it isn't "really" four
meals in one day, but two days.  Right?

When we finally cleared Immigration, we caught a one hour + bus ride to downtown where our hotel was.  After checking in, we hit the lounge on the 22^nd floor, and had a little snack and beer, and they offered us “soju” a local drink which tasted about like sweet, thick gin.  The beer was from a “self-serve” tap, and the views of downtown were interesting.  Theresa saw some sort of motorcade with police escorts.  It’s been a long day, so we’re ready to check out the bed!

Our Room.  Why the glass between the shower and bed?

One view from our corner room!

We received a "gift" bag on check in...
With a can of sweat???