Cuz I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again...

October 12, 13

WARNING: no time for editing from here on out, deal with it. J

Hey Everyone!

I am almost to my destination of Bangkok, Thailand for a weeklong orientation with CIEE! CIEE is a non-profit organization that is top of the line when it comes to foreign exchange. They are not only setting up teachers from America to teach around the world, they are also send people from all over the world to America.

If the journey to get to Bangkok alone is any indication of what type of experience I am going to have in Thailand then I don’t even know what to do with myself…in a crazy good way!

To start things off I had a TERRIBLE day before I left the ground Thursday at 11pm. I will spare you the details on that, though.

After arriving to the airport 3.5 hours early for my first international flight (also my first time to Dulles) I checked in with Qatar Airways. The people at the desk were more than helpful and upon looking at my Thai visa the agent said “Oh, you’re going to Bangkok, too” I replied “yes, did someone else just check in?” he nodded with a smile and I enlightened him that we were going to teach.

I made my way to gate 43 when I noticed the CHIPOTLE a few gates up. I hadn’t eaten much that day because the nerves were too much for my stomach as it was. I got some Chipotle while I waited for my travel buddy.

Jimmy told me that one of his coworkers was going to teach in Thailand too…we later found out that we are on the same flights!

Jess and I got ready to board the plane when I gave my ticket to a Qatar Airlines worker. He looks at me, looks at my ticket then at my passport and continues to inform me, “Megan, you cannot take food on the plane.” Attempting to hide my Chipotle burrito I frantically ask where the closest trashcan is and confirm that I am going to throw it away as soon as physically possible. He laughs hysterically and says “ Megan, Megan I am joking; have a great flight.” I must have been wearing my experience (or lack thereof) on my sleeve.

After wondering why I didn’t go through customs and being fooled that I couldn’t bring food on the plane, you would have thought this was not only my first international fight…you would have thought I never set foot in an airport.

I board the plane handing my ticket to an extremely friendly face telling me “Megan, you will go straight, take a right and your seat will be on your left.” His smile and charm were much more appreciated than he probably would have thought.

Upon finding my tiny seat (I don’t know how Kyle will fit) I find the following:

-       Pillow and super comfy blanket

-       Tooth brush and paste

-       Eye cover and ear plugs

-       An extremely comfy pair if socks

all contained in a small Qatar airways bag.

Are you kidding me?! This plane even had MOOD LIGHTING. I thought to myself, every cent I paid for this flight was totally worth it.

BUT that wasn’t it! There were about a hundred movies to choose from, album after album of music that you could make your own play list to, a remote that you could type on, speak into like a phone, use as a game controller, control your movie or even SWIPE YOUR CREDIT CARD THROUGH. Um, WHAT!? Every cent.

Next I start to smell a great cooked meal but I couldn’t see anyone eating or a flight attendant in sight. About 10 minutes later my movie pauses and a menu appears on my screen. This is what I ended up getting:

-       Leg of lamb with rice, perfectly seasoned

-       Cheese and crackers

-       Little thing of water

-       A wonderful bean, corn, veggie salad with cilantro

-       Coffee cake

-       More cheese

Once again, what?

Also, ALCOHOL IS FREE? How in the WORLD (pun intended) is this my first international flight in 25 years of living?!

Side note, I watched:

-       Monsters Inc

-       Hangover part III

-       Modern Family

-       Heart of Dixie

-       A Bug’s Lift (for two seconds before I realized that was two cartoon movies in a row, what would the lady next to me think?)

-       The English Teacher (terrible)

I also listened to music, watched a virtual map of our plane and where we were, watched the sun set over Saudi Arabia and caught a 3-hour night’s worth of sleep.

Eventually we arrive to Doha, Qatar. The airport is not yet able to accept planes as large as the one I was on so we had to walk down a staircase and catch a bus. You know when they show the president come off of Air Force 1? That’s kind of how I felt at this point. This was economy class, folks.

While on the bus Jess and I found another friend traveling to Bangkok to teach! Mary Kate is from Annapolis, MD and is just as excited and enthusiastic as Jess and I. We explored the airport; it didn’t seem too interesting…except the male and female mosques! Cool! *no sleeping in prayer rooms.

Sitting by the gate updating our Facebook status, we are also able to FaceTime our family at home and let them know how our flight went…it was weird; I didn’t feel like I was in a different part of …the WORLD! Technology these days, I’m tellin’ ya!

Now I am sitting on the plane headed to Bangkok. I capitalized on a mistake I made in the first flight, I got a cup full of white wine with my dinner to calm myself down. I am happy as a clam, full and ready to start my adventure in Thailand!

More later!

P.S. Mark Lenz, one of my staffers in Magoffin County, KY, is also in Thailand with the same organization – crazy, huh? He got to Bangkok before me and told me to wake him up when I get to the hotel. We are going to go exploring! Absolutely CAN. NOT. WAIT. This has proven to be an opportunity of a lifetime and I have only been on the plane getting to Thailand. I am one lucky girl. That, I know for sure.

P.PS. Did I mention that I am listening to The Avett Brothers' Carpenter album as I type this? Yep, through the seat in front of me; this plane has EVERYTHING.