I made it to Bangkok

I made it to Bangkok! Although there were a few stress heightened moments along the way, I was quiet surprised how easily I made it through all the checkpoints and to my Guest House.
I thought through packing all my liquids in 3 ounce bottles, had my electronics all arranged to easily put them in their own crate at check-out, had triple weighed my bags to make sure I was not slapped large fees, but the one thing I DID NOT think through was the travel agent only gave my 18 minutes to land in Chicago and make my boarding time to Tokyo. To make this process even more emotionally heightened I had just said good-bye to my family and Fred for possibly are year, so it is very easy to say my nerves were very fragile. Thankfully the pilot of my Louisville-Chicago flight noticed my wrecked nerves and requested that my carry-on not be stored under the plane (since they were only allowing backpacks and purses to be stored on the plane) in order to save me fifteen minutes, and then very sternly suggested that I run to catch my Tokyo flight since the Chicago airport was so big.
My Chicago flight landed at 11:06 and I was off the plane by 11:10- 8 minutes before boarding time. Thankfully on International flights they start boarding roughly an hour before the flight departs. Slightly sweaty at about 11:30 I arrived in terminal B, for those who know the Chicago airport, just in time to use the restroom and be one of the last passengers to board the flight! The high of making the flight was neutralized by the low of knowing my bags would not make the same record speed time I had just achieved.
After a twelve hour flight with no individual TVs (what international flight these days does not have individual TVs?), two Japanese airplane dinners, a few 30 minutes naps, and 1 stretch break, I arrived in Tokyo- Well actually Narita which was a big let down since I didn’t get to see any of Tokyo’s skyline. Now the Tokyo’s airport does not arrange the airport by terminal just numbers- so having to find gate 36 was a little challenging, but those lovely Japanese sign-holders that float through the airport made the process slightly smoother. I must say Japanese women in general made me smile because here I am very proud that I look half-way clean in sweatpants and keens, and they look freshly showered in high heels and a blouse. I wish I could travel in such style.
After a three hour layover in the Tokyo airport which I saw nothing of because my adventurous self met and lost to my Jetlag self, I was seated in an aisle seat next to a navy geologist studying malaria patterns for the last 6 hours of the flight.
Speaking of people I encountered while traveling, I must report that it was so interesting observing travelers embarking on Asian travel. I met an elderly couple going to a wedding in Taiwan, an MBA student at Georgia Tech finishing his final project in Asia, a world hitchhiker visiting friends (who was an exact replica of Crocodile Dundee in his full Khaki outdoor wear slightly tanned face and sun-bleached hair), and a volunteer who was spending a month in Thailand, Nepal, and India respectively. I was actually quite surprised by the heavy presence of westerners both in Tokyo (well actually Narita I admit bitterly) and Bangkok. Besides the difference in the written language on signs I have not felt like a complete outsider. – I also credit this ease of culture shock to my India and China travels.
The process of arriving in Bangkok -passport check-baggage pick up-customs- then to meeting point 3 was something I had been dreading since I first stepped on my Louisville flight. I was completely terrified of getting lost in the Bangkok airport, but the process was surprisingly easy minus the slightly intimidating passport check crew who stare up and down at you while reading through your reasons of entering the beloved Kingdom of Thailand. My extremely optimistic Crocodile Dundee clone assured me that it was very easy to get around which calmed my anxiety greatly(he also told me he had a wonderful job in the United states if I would trade places with him for the year.)
Now at the final check point- Baggage claim. I waited behind all the chaos assured my new, shiny red four coaster suitcase set (best purchase ever) were not arriving tonight. I barely glanced at the baggage rotating from afar, but when the glimmer of light reflected off my bag turning the corner I unknowing jumped in surprise and very ungracefully pulled my bags off the turning strip!! Thank-you anyone who prayed for these to arrive with me!
With my bags in my possession, I made my to the meeting point with no trouble and my Fulbright director sent the first three arrivals including me off to the International Guest House to rest up for the night.
Looking back I am very proud of my first time traveling completely solo. I didn’t realize until Fred left the airport in Louisville that I had never traveled alone before, but this was a great way to start.