San Fran USA Airport
After an extremely bumping landing I stumbled off the Boeing 747 and made the long way to Immigration. The young quite good looking guy of Eastern European origin was obviously having a great day. He scanned my biometrics first my right hand then my left and the with a great poker face requested “your left foot please miss”. In my groggy motion-sick state had to ask if he was serious even though a small part of me knew better. Needless to say my blonde origin was showing through. He then grinned a chesher smile and ammitted he enjoyed getting a reaction out of people. I guess I would do the same too.
The chirpy natured continued when I a arrived to check into my Alaskan airways flight which had been delayed meaning I would miss my connecting flight to Vancouver. Lee from Alaskan airlines was so sweet he got on the phone and found me a seat on a United flight which would get into Vancouver before the other flight and was a direct route, free of charge. Even though this means I get to sit in San Fran airport for 8 hrs it also means I get to watch the interesting mix of people wandering by.
Being my first time to the States I must admit even though I know some lovely Americans I did get sucked into the stereotyped mentality that Americans are loud, arrogant and over the top. I have kicked myself for ever thinking that as I got off the plane as I know very well that there is a great mix of personalities in every nation. It has however been refreshing to find that genuine kindness isn’t dead in the world.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
27.04.2010
27.04.2010 2330 AEST
United Airlines flight from Sydney AUS to San Fransisco USA. 13hrs duration.
After an emotional send off from Sydney Airport I had my first ever run in with Sydney airport security because of a misconnection between their procedures and their basic communicational skills. It’s the first time ever I have had an issue with them but I guess that’s not too bad. I then got a great pat down from a lady who seemed so enthusiastic that she had been assigned that job as the only words that came out of her mouth were “arms up”, “turn” and “ok”.
In truth my expectations of flying United were pretty low based on experiences of people I know but I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised. The checkin agent was very friendly and patient and the flight crew were all very approachable.
Mid sleep I conciously realised that I’m on my way to Canada! Talk about a delayed response!
I also realised the reason why I find change so hard. Change happens everyday in small ways but when it’s a much more dramatic change you notice it more. However, I seem to want to hold onto things to make them remain the same but that’s physically impossible. Every second something changes, nothing remains still, everything is constantly moving. The idea is to move with it and move forward. It really gets to me when change is evident in having to say goodbye and to let go of what has been. “Good bye” seems to denote the end, when really what you want to say in the depature lounge is “seeing you in 12months”. The hardest part is missing out on the things that happen while you are gone. You can’t be in two places at once but you also cannot put your life experiences on hold to be present while other people live their lives. …
… with that thought in mind I look forward to arriving in San Fran to a new continent and a new adventure….
United Airlines flight from Sydney AUS to San Fransisco USA. 13hrs duration.
After an emotional send off from Sydney Airport I had my first ever run in with Sydney airport security because of a misconnection between their procedures and their basic communicational skills. It’s the first time ever I have had an issue with them but I guess that’s not too bad. I then got a great pat down from a lady who seemed so enthusiastic that she had been assigned that job as the only words that came out of her mouth were “arms up”, “turn” and “ok”.
In truth my expectations of flying United were pretty low based on experiences of people I know but I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised. The checkin agent was very friendly and patient and the flight crew were all very approachable.
Mid sleep I conciously realised that I’m on my way to Canada! Talk about a delayed response!
I also realised the reason why I find change so hard. Change happens everyday in small ways but when it’s a much more dramatic change you notice it more. However, I seem to want to hold onto things to make them remain the same but that’s physically impossible. Every second something changes, nothing remains still, everything is constantly moving. The idea is to move with it and move forward. It really gets to me when change is evident in having to say goodbye and to let go of what has been. “Good bye” seems to denote the end, when really what you want to say in the depature lounge is “seeing you in 12months”. The hardest part is missing out on the things that happen while you are gone. You can’t be in two places at once but you also cannot put your life experiences on hold to be present while other people live their lives. …
… with that thought in mind I look forward to arriving in San Fran to a new continent and a new adventure….
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