2014年8月24日
Three Countries in one day.
I made sure to pack all my things nicely the night before, as my friend said he and his mother were to come around 6:40 am to pick me up and bring me to Kansai International Airport.
And I wasn’t about to wait until the last minute to pack (not like last time ahha) so I woke up pretty nicely. I thanked seven-days-ago-Jensen for thinking of purchasing space bags while purchasing an outlet adapter because they saved my life (as I purchased a new suit jacket and leather bag for only 5000 yen—I know). I scrambled, however, to leave my welcoming host a message, and seeing no guestbook or anything to leave a note, I decided to write "謝謝 – Jensen c:” on the big poster on the wall where past guests had written their thank yous. I also gave my host a really good review on airbnb (the website I have been using to book all of my hostels—super helpful) so hopefully it makes up for me not leaving him an actual gift.
Anyways, my friend and his mother were a little late picking me up but I was absolutely not worried. I asked them to come that early to pick me up in case things like this were to occur. I had a 9:30 flight at Kansai International (a maybe 40 to 50 minute drive from Namba) and I like to have at least two hours to allot for accidental mishaps (like the one that happened in Korea… *shudders*) but my friend kept reassuring me that if you’re late, they’ll call your name over the intercom and help expedite the process.
I just don’t have that kind of trust in a system I only really started using a couple of weeks ago (I know, I know, I’m very new to air travel) so I told them my flight was at 9.
They picked me up sometime after 7, and after saying many sorrys, we were on our way. I also didn’t tell them until they picked me up that I had business class seats, which would make check-in much, much faster.
And I was right. When my friend saw me out by taking me to the check-in counter, there was a super long line for the check-in in economy class but no line for business (there’s only twelve business class seats on the plane anyway) so we hugged and said goodbye for the last time (as we wouldn’t be seeing each other until our spring semester starts in February. #studyabroadproblems).
Thankfully, since I asked to arrive so early, I got through immigration around 8:15, giving me plenty of time to check out these business class lounges I’ve been hearing so much about.
Yo.
Three Countries in one day.
I made sure to pack all my things nicely the night before, as my friend said he and his mother were to come around 6:40 am to pick me up and bring me to Kansai International Airport.
And I wasn’t about to wait until the last minute to pack (not like last time ahha) so I woke up pretty nicely. I thanked seven-days-ago-Jensen for thinking of purchasing space bags while purchasing an outlet adapter because they saved my life (as I purchased a new suit jacket and leather bag for only 5000 yen—I know). I scrambled, however, to leave my welcoming host a message, and seeing no guestbook or anything to leave a note, I decided to write "謝謝 – Jensen c:” on the big poster on the wall where past guests had written their thank yous. I also gave my host a really good review on airbnb (the website I have been using to book all of my hostels—super helpful) so hopefully it makes up for me not leaving him an actual gift.
Anyways, my friend and his mother were a little late picking me up but I was absolutely not worried. I asked them to come that early to pick me up in case things like this were to occur. I had a 9:30 flight at Kansai International (a maybe 40 to 50 minute drive from Namba) and I like to have at least two hours to allot for accidental mishaps (like the one that happened in Korea… *shudders*) but my friend kept reassuring me that if you’re late, they’ll call your name over the intercom and help expedite the process.
I just don’t have that kind of trust in a system I only really started using a couple of weeks ago (I know, I know, I’m very new to air travel) so I told them my flight was at 9.
They picked me up sometime after 7, and after saying many sorrys, we were on our way. I also didn’t tell them until they picked me up that I had business class seats, which would make check-in much, much faster.
And I was right. When my friend saw me out by taking me to the check-in counter, there was a super long line for the check-in in economy class but no line for business (there’s only twelve business class seats on the plane anyway) so we hugged and said goodbye for the last time (as we wouldn’t be seeing each other until our spring semester starts in February. #studyabroadproblems).
Thankfully, since I asked to arrive so early, I got through immigration around 8:15, giving me plenty of time to check out these business class lounges I’ve been hearing so much about.
Yo.
Yoooooooooooo.
Like, I had an idea from films and stuff, but I didn’t know for sure for sure.
Free food and any kind of drink imaginable really (juices, sodas, coffee, espresso drinks, beer, wine, spirits, etc.)
I was just overwhelmed b/c everyone looked like classy Japanese business men waiting for their flight to Incheon like me, and here I am, wearing a kitty t-shirt and some mc hammer pants with adidas lookin’ like a washed up extra for a macklemore video.
Like, I had an idea from films and stuff, but I didn’t know for sure for sure.
Free food and any kind of drink imaginable really (juices, sodas, coffee, espresso drinks, beer, wine, spirits, etc.)
I was just overwhelmed b/c everyone looked like classy Japanese business men waiting for their flight to Incheon like me, and here I am, wearing a kitty t-shirt and some mc hammer pants with adidas lookin’ like a washed up extra for a macklemore video.
Anyways, I think I kinda abused the business lounge amenities a bit. I didn’t plan on spending any money on food that day, so I was going to take advantage of everything that I could.
Pastries, sushi, onigiri, yakisoba. A couple café lattes.
Pastries, sushi, onigiri, yakisoba. A couple café lattes.
Uh.
I also may or may not have had some ginger ale with a lil’ sake in it (okay a lot of sake in it).
I also may or may not have had some ginger ale with a lil’ sake in it (okay a lot of sake in it).
To be honest it took all of my wherewithal not to get all flagrant in front of these Japanese businessmen. I took selfies, bruh.
Like. I needed to chill.
But it was my first time in business class! I wanted to enjoy it while I could because I doubt I would ever get the chance to do it again.
I then got on my plane to Incheon. It was a short flight of an hour an twenty minutes so I didn’t plan on too much sleeping. The seats were a glorious treat for someone of my size. I can fit in economy seats pretty fine, it’s just that there’s no leg room and my butt can’t really breathe.
But in business class, I have a lot more leg room and wiggle space for the donk.
Like. I needed to chill.
But it was my first time in business class! I wanted to enjoy it while I could because I doubt I would ever get the chance to do it again.
I then got on my plane to Incheon. It was a short flight of an hour an twenty minutes so I didn’t plan on too much sleeping. The seats were a glorious treat for someone of my size. I can fit in economy seats pretty fine, it’s just that there’s no leg room and my butt can’t really breathe.
But in business class, I have a lot more leg room and wiggle space for the donk.
And the donk thanks me.
Also, I didn’t really know from experience that the service is much better in business. Before you sit they pretty much ask you what you’d like to drink, and get it to you in a few seconds. Then, comes the meal.
They straight brought out little white table cloths for your pull-out lap desk thingy like
They need to chill just as much as I do.
It was a lil extra but I’m not even mad tbh.
They handed me the menu (because that’s a thing apparently) and I opted for a beef roll with some kind of sukiyaki sauce on it? And it came with hot pot veggies and grilled eggplant, fresh fruit, a roll and butter, drink of your choice, etc. I wanted another café latte as I only really had six hours of sleep the previous night, but their espresso machine wasn’t working, so I opted for brewed coffee.
Also, I didn’t really know from experience that the service is much better in business. Before you sit they pretty much ask you what you’d like to drink, and get it to you in a few seconds. Then, comes the meal.
They straight brought out little white table cloths for your pull-out lap desk thingy like
They need to chill just as much as I do.
It was a lil extra but I’m not even mad tbh.
They handed me the menu (because that’s a thing apparently) and I opted for a beef roll with some kind of sukiyaki sauce on it? And it came with hot pot veggies and grilled eggplant, fresh fruit, a roll and butter, drink of your choice, etc. I wanted another café latte as I only really had six hours of sleep the previous night, but their espresso machine wasn’t working, so I opted for brewed coffee.
They had a cute little tube of gochujang (that I didn’t know where they wanted me to put it like in my eggplant? My beef roll?) so I just stole it. It’ll come in handy one day.
Then, for the rest of the flight I just listened to my ipod really getting all #turnt listening to Nicki Minaj and stuff like that. I’m pretty sure the other guests hated me. Especially since there were so many extra seats but I still decided to sit in my assigned one next to some dude b/c I was the last one in and I didn’t really care? He probably did but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And then I used the bathroom, took one of those toothbrush kits, used some of their lotion and cologne, then went back to my seat.
My flight to Incheon landed around 11:20 and my transfer to Taipei wasn’t until 2:20, so I had about three hours to kill.
I (as per usual) didn’t really make good use of my time as I didn’t really know that Incheon is world renowned for being the best international airport? Like, I spent most of my time at an internet café because I left my Korea adapter in my checked bag, when I could have been making cute paper crafts at their traditional culture center or watching their parade.
I eventually found the business class lounge and oh my god yo.
Like, I thought the one at Kansai was nice.
Then, for the rest of the flight I just listened to my ipod really getting all #turnt listening to Nicki Minaj and stuff like that. I’m pretty sure the other guests hated me. Especially since there were so many extra seats but I still decided to sit in my assigned one next to some dude b/c I was the last one in and I didn’t really care? He probably did but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And then I used the bathroom, took one of those toothbrush kits, used some of their lotion and cologne, then went back to my seat.
My flight to Incheon landed around 11:20 and my transfer to Taipei wasn’t until 2:20, so I had about three hours to kill.
I (as per usual) didn’t really make good use of my time as I didn’t really know that Incheon is world renowned for being the best international airport? Like, I spent most of my time at an internet café because I left my Korea adapter in my checked bag, when I could have been making cute paper crafts at their traditional culture center or watching their parade.
I eventually found the business class lounge and oh my god yo.
Like, I thought the one at Kansai was nice.
This one tho.
This one.
Yoooooooooooooooo.
It was heeeeeeella nice. Their food selection was bangin’ and I decided that my last meal in Korea, of course, had to be…
Yoooooooooooooooo.
It was heeeeeeella nice. Their food selection was bangin’ and I decided that my last meal in Korea, of course, had to be…
Ahh 치맥 . Does a soul happy.
They also had beer on tap but i wasn't paying attention lol so i just got canned ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I used the bathroom again, grabbed a water bottle for the road, and used some of the free-to-use laptops in the lounge (why was I at an internet café this whole time? Paying 4800 won for Iced Coffee when I could have gotten it for free at business? Whatever) to contact my friends in Taipei about my flight schedule and things like that.
Then I got to my business class flight to Taipei.
I began to notice that I was getting hella dehydrated (from, uh, like, four caffeinated beverages and two alcoholic ones lol) so I just drank water on my flight. For this flight’s meal, I had a kimchi beef roll (Asiana loves their beef rolls apparently) with some veggies and rice, curry chicken salad with raisins, roll and butter, and a Mandarin Sponge Cake thing? It was good. No cute little gochujang tube tho.
I got some Jasmine tea, too, to help hydrate and calm me down a little from the caffeine ehheh.
When I landed in Taipei, I noticed that all that caffeine really made me need to go use the restroom, like, very frequently. Not fun when you’re waiting in line at immigration when you could be using the expedited lane for multi-entry visa holders but no, apparently I can’t do that even if I have a multi-entry visa (??? like what’s the point then if you’re gonna make me go in line with the rest of the non-visa holders???) so I used the restroom again. I didn’t have to wait long for my luggage since business got priority (heh) and then I used wi-fi to contact my friend.
I got a taxi to go back to my friend’s house in Yonghe, but I think the dude gave me a lil reach-around because when I spoke to him he said "不好意思,我不說普通話" (sorry, I don’t speak Mandarin) and proceeded to go a bit of a long way. I know this for a fact because I took a taxi to get from Yonghe to Taoyuan International and it only cost me 1000 NT$ (about 33 US$) but he got me paying 1260 NT$ (over 40 US$).
Like I know that’s still hella cheap considering the distance but he didn’t even drop me off on the right end of the street where I needed to go.
I didn’t care though, it was hot, I was wearing long pants, and I just wanted to be indoors.
My friend said he would be home to let me in, but as I rang the callbox, there was no answer but the door opened anyway. I walked up the three floors and was greeted by his mom. We later had dinner together, Japanese Curry and a Seafood Boil with Shrimps, Clams, etc.
From the dehydration and slight time change of an hour, I konked out at like 9pm. They graciously let me stay in the room I stayed previous, whereas my friend stayed in my other friend’s room with him.
I was just happy to have ac to use, tbh.
A very tiring day filled with ups and downs.
But another day awaits! Where will I be staying? Will I try to use my Mandarin skills again? Or is it any use when Taiwanese cashiers can already tell I’m foreign and respond to me in English?
All these existential questions and more with the next PKC post.
They also had beer on tap but i wasn't paying attention lol so i just got canned ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I used the bathroom again, grabbed a water bottle for the road, and used some of the free-to-use laptops in the lounge (why was I at an internet café this whole time? Paying 4800 won for Iced Coffee when I could have gotten it for free at business? Whatever) to contact my friends in Taipei about my flight schedule and things like that.
Then I got to my business class flight to Taipei.
I began to notice that I was getting hella dehydrated (from, uh, like, four caffeinated beverages and two alcoholic ones lol) so I just drank water on my flight. For this flight’s meal, I had a kimchi beef roll (Asiana loves their beef rolls apparently) with some veggies and rice, curry chicken salad with raisins, roll and butter, and a Mandarin Sponge Cake thing? It was good. No cute little gochujang tube tho.
I got some Jasmine tea, too, to help hydrate and calm me down a little from the caffeine ehheh.
When I landed in Taipei, I noticed that all that caffeine really made me need to go use the restroom, like, very frequently. Not fun when you’re waiting in line at immigration when you could be using the expedited lane for multi-entry visa holders but no, apparently I can’t do that even if I have a multi-entry visa (??? like what’s the point then if you’re gonna make me go in line with the rest of the non-visa holders???) so I used the restroom again. I didn’t have to wait long for my luggage since business got priority (heh) and then I used wi-fi to contact my friend.
I got a taxi to go back to my friend’s house in Yonghe, but I think the dude gave me a lil reach-around because when I spoke to him he said "不好意思,我不說普通話" (sorry, I don’t speak Mandarin) and proceeded to go a bit of a long way. I know this for a fact because I took a taxi to get from Yonghe to Taoyuan International and it only cost me 1000 NT$ (about 33 US$) but he got me paying 1260 NT$ (over 40 US$).
Like I know that’s still hella cheap considering the distance but he didn’t even drop me off on the right end of the street where I needed to go.
I didn’t care though, it was hot, I was wearing long pants, and I just wanted to be indoors.
My friend said he would be home to let me in, but as I rang the callbox, there was no answer but the door opened anyway. I walked up the three floors and was greeted by his mom. We later had dinner together, Japanese Curry and a Seafood Boil with Shrimps, Clams, etc.
From the dehydration and slight time change of an hour, I konked out at like 9pm. They graciously let me stay in the room I stayed previous, whereas my friend stayed in my other friend’s room with him.
I was just happy to have ac to use, tbh.
A very tiring day filled with ups and downs.
But another day awaits! Where will I be staying? Will I try to use my Mandarin skills again? Or is it any use when Taiwanese cashiers can already tell I’m foreign and respond to me in English?
All these existential questions and more with the next PKC post.