Surreal

This is the word I keep coming back to when someone asks me about this experience.  Even now, as I’m high above the Pacific Ocean on our way to Tokyo, it doesn’t actually seem like I’ve emptied my apartment and packed my entire life in a few suitcases to go start anew somewhere around the world.  And even though I’ve said one hundred goodbyes and shed a thousand tears, and even though I don’t have a return ticket and my final destination is Singapore, I still feel like I’m just going on vacation.  Perhaps I shouldn’t be so eager for reality to set it, because I have a feeling that once it does, I’m going to be rather homesick.  So for now, I’m going to try to relish in my obliviousness. 

The Dreamliner is pretty cool.  My first opportunity to fly on it was two years ago on my MBA trip to China, but they were in the middle of the exploding battery issue, so I decided not to take it.  Man, am I glad I upgraded to Economy Plus.  First, our section is probably half empty – makes it quieter (minus the two babies) and even more roomy.  The windows don’t have shades, so you can’t close them, but you tint them with a button.  At first I was annoyed that I couldn’t get it dark, but now it’s cool to be able to lookout without getting blinded (and I have a sleep mask, so it doesn’t really matter).  The windows are also huge!  Probably almost 2ft tall.  Each seat has its own touchscreen TV with on-demand entertainment.  Normally I plan my sleep schedule around the 3 movies they show, but here you can pick anything at anytime – I was almost tempted to just stay up the whole time – almost.  Most importantly, there are USB ports and outlets at each seat.  Now I can be fully charged when I land in Tokyo and can worry about sushi instead of power outlets – yay!!

Huge widow.  Bye, CO!

I watched Wild on the flight.  It was sub-par, but it still made me feel like an adventurer. 

Clouds!

Okay, I'm far away.  

My ½ of Ambien that I typically take on long haul flights, didn’t really do the trick.  I slept for about 3 hours and then fitfully rested for the next 3.  

Anthony Bourdain raves about this sushi restaurant at Narita.  It was delicious and so fun to experience.  I sat next to two MN girls on their way home from Thailand and a lady on her way to SG to visit her husband.  I forgot how fun it was to chat with strangers and how eager all travelers are to connect with others. 

The flight to SG was bumpy as all get out, but thankfully I slept pretty much the whole way even though I really wanted to stay awake...oops.  SG immigration was a real treat when they told me my Employment Pass had been rejected and if I didn't get it sorted out I would need to leave the country in 90 days...oops.  I finally made it through, got my 6 bags and grabbed a taxi.  I must have been a *sight*.  After arguing with the taxi driver that he could indeed fit all my bags, I finally made it to my new home!