I REALLY Hate DFW!!!

12 August 2007, 2015hours
The latest in the saga of my journey to Baltimore... So the guy at gate A39, where I am currently waiting, comes over the PA and says, "People waiting for flight 2200 to BWI, the plane isn't going to be in until 9:18 pm. We probably won't BEGIN boarding until 10:00 pm! Oh, and by the way, the gate has been changed to C16, that is CHARLIE 1-6." Meanwhile, I finally have a good outlet, my computer is charging, but I am now at the wrong terminal.. WTF! Pack everything back up, get on the tram, yadda yadda yadda.... Get over to the gate, no working plug! Have I mentioned I hate DFW. I change my mind. I want to go through Atlanta afterall.

I Hate DFW

12 August 2007, 1950hours
I should have known when I got to Misawa City Airport, and the plane wasn't there, that this was going to be a baaad travel day. The plane was late coming in from Tokyo (which never happens in Japan). We took off 30 minutes late, but managed to make it into Tokyo only 10 minutes ahead of schedule (the Japanese fly like they drive, they floor it!). I got my bags, made it to the shuttle bus counter, got my ticket for the 11:55 shuttle to Narita from Haneda (it was then 11:45) and waited in line for my shuttle. And waited, and waited, and waited... That is right folks, even the shuttles were running behind. A situation so unheard of in Japan, the epitome of efficiency, that the shuttle attendants were panic-calling anyone they could get ahold of to find out what the hang up was after the shuttle had been late only 30 seconds...

So, I finally get on my bus, make it to Narita, make it through to the ticket counter, make it through security and immigration... make it to my gate, make it on the plane for the 10.5 hour flight to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Now, that is where it hits the snag that makes me think I should have seen the signs. You see, the genius at ticketing decided it would be ok to give me a layover of 90 minutes ate DFW to get to the gate (slight problem), off the plane (ok), clear immigration (U.S. citizen, no problem), get my bags (problem), get through customs (big problem), recheck my bags (bigger problem), go back through security (ok, this is just ridiculous), get on the tram (which, surprise, was running behind schedule) to make it to the literal opposite side of the airport for my flight for a take off time of 5:05 pm. Guess what folks, I made it... That is right, I made it .... to the gate just in time to see my plane taxi for take-off. I rebooked for the 9:30 pm flight, putting me into BWI at 1:30 am. At least they gave me a $10 food voucher. Good thing I have friends there who are willing to come pick me up, drop me at my hotel, pick me up from the hotel, and take me to the car rental place. Cause otherwise I would be S.O.L. Thanks Mei-mei!

I love the USA

12 August 2007, 1930hours
You know what I love about the U.S.??? Going into the ladies room and not having to look for the western-style toilet symbol and finding that there are only the Japanese squatter-style toilets left... Then having to decide whether I have to go bad enough to consider using one of them....

Transformers!

Although it IS a Michael Bay movie (Stealth was a total bust), it is AWESOME!!! None-stop action, almost from the word "GO!" Shia La Beouf was ingenious in his role as Sam Witwiki. The only things that put some stops to my utter stupification was the usual Bay-isms that popped up throughout the movie. Such as stationing a fleet of ships in the Yellow Sea to keep an eye on Qatar, or the fact that people did flee when the final fight started... They were still flitting around OUTSIDE, riding bikes, pushing baby carriages, etc. So, I suggest seeing this movie. You won't be disappointed.

Stupidity

OK, yes, my usually anal tendencies failed me for once. And in the most inopportune of situations. After traveling an hour to the Seoul/Incheon International Airport from the base, finding our ticket counter, standing in line and finally having our turn to check in, I realize ... my orders aren't in my bag with my travel itinerary! OH SHIT! They won't check me in without my orders due to the fact that, even though I asked for a stamp in my passport, I didn't receive one. So, it was either leave the Korean Peninsula with my orders or with having a stamp in my passport. And as I had neither, I was in a sticky situation. Luckily I had my receipt with the Lodge's phone number on it. And after two attempts at sending a bellboy up to the room I had occupied, my orders were finally located right where I remember putting them after I checked into the hotel (on the bureau next to the TV which was then covered with the unread newspapers) and faxed to the airport. We made it to our gate as the final call for boarding was being called.

Now usually I double and triple check to ensure that I have my orders, passport, itinerary... Not this time... but let me tell you, I will now make multiple copies and a softcopy at home.

Some Seoul Searching...

I've been in Seoul, South Korea for a few days now. I did some eating and shopping last night. Myself and two fellow travelers took a taxi to the Itaewon shopping district of Seoul. We spent the first hour or so looking through the shops. Two of us were looking for blankets; nice, heavy blankets you can only find in Korea or Japan.



Nice, eh? Quite warm, too.

Curiosity led us down some back alleys, which led us to some nice surprises. We found a couple of streets with more upscale shops. Shops not containing the usual crap that you found in the more touristy areas, but shops with some really nice antiques. I mean, let me tell you, Seoul could be the antique capital of the world. All those "Antiquers" should grab their passports and book a trip to Seoul!

We also went to a tiny Korean restaurant in the heart of "Little Albania."

We had Kimchee...



Bulgogi, which we cooked ourself at the table...



and some other pickled-fish dish that was also pretty good...



I also took in some sights...

a nice little view from in between two buildings...


The "Welcome to Korea" archway.


Korean McDonald's


Now, I was watching the news, and Fox was reporting on the South Korean hostage situation in Afghanistan, and how it was the ONLY thing on all the stations here. However, walking around town, even though everyone had a TV set up on the street, everyone was glued to the set, it wasn't the news they were watching. It was the Asian Games Soccer Match between Iraq and the South Korean teams. That was the real thing people couldn't stop talking about.

Ooops! She did it again...

DAMN! Not even a week out of rehab, and Lindsay Lohan is once again arrested for Driving Under the Influence and Driving While Intoxicated. Heeped onto this, one FELONY charge of Cocaine Possession, and one FELONY charge of Trafficking of an Illegal Substance. And again, she seeks the refuge of rehab. This time, she also sought medical help...

"LOS ANGELES - Lindsay Lohan was busted for drunk driving and drug possession on Tuesday, just days after completing an alcohol treatment programme following her arrest in May for similar charges, police said. "

You know, I was watching the news as I typed up my report, and I first thought it was discussion on Ms Lohan because she was now out of rehab, had turned herself in for her last offense, etc., etc. Then I realize, HOLY SH!T, AGAIN!!!