Tips for Major Airtime

SO here it is. I have now flown for two days straight, not even sure if I could consider my random airplane naps as actual hours of sleep. Might I add that I am by myself on these planes, exhausted because I have to carry around all the extra weight that wasn't allowed on my check in luggage, something I realized only hours before that Emirates would charge massive amounts of money for. Although I swore I looked up airline regulations for weight, somehow my dad and I missed out on the fact that you could only have 30 kilograms of luggage TOTAL. Translation for you americans: I can only bring 60 pound of luggage with me for the indefinite trip I am about to embark. For all you ladies, you can only imagine the panic that ensued thereafter. ANYways, I will let you know that the check in booth was around the corner from security, so I actually had my uncle hold all my extra weight until I could turn the corner and secretly smuggle 15 extra pounds on board. Cheers to you uncle Dan. My cousins gave me the biggest hugs and visually looked upset I was leaving which only added to the immensity of the situation. Holding back tears and holding in my overflowing anxiety, I turned around, and walked away from my very last loved ones for this life changing journey.

Several hours later, I find myself in Dubai, for a layover and culture shock almost immediately sets in, it is two am there and I am lugging my ridiculously heavy carryons with me through a HUGE airport to the furthest possible gate in the furthest possible terminal during an hour layover while I'm half asleep. But yes if you are at all worried I made my second flight and even had the chance to stop for some salt and vinegar chips which pretty much made me the happiest girl on the planet, if you know me well you know that I live for salt and vinegar chips. 8 hours later I find myself in a muggy, jam packed airport known as the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport trying to exchange my american money while dying of thirst and sweating through the three layers I couldn't fit into my luggage not to mentioned severely sleep deprived. Somehow in the blurred moments of baggage claim, and immigration I found myself spilled out into the main pick up terminal attempting to connect to wifi that doesn't seem to want to work correctly and no way to contact all the people I do not know as well as attempting find the shuttle that supposedly brings me to orientation. Also, I know Zero Thai. 

After what seemed like an eternity ( but was really 50 really long minutes), I locate a group of Americans that are just as sleep deprived, sweaty, and gross as me. I have never felt more relieved in my life. Nor have I ever fallen into such a deep sleep on a 40 minute van ride. The hotel was a blurred mess, everyone attempting to get keys for their room, find their roomates, buy a SIM card so their phone works and then get to our rooms so we can finally rest peacefully. These few moments where I have never been more exhausted or felt so gross were the moments that I found my first and best friends I have made on this trip so far. We bonded over sweat, lack of sleep, levels of grossness and travel mishaps, what better way to make new friends. This chaotic journey ended in the most heavenly nap I have taken in my  entire lifetime. Finally,  after a year of planning, I had made it to Thailand.  

Tips for Major Airtime:

• Take  Emergen-C before flights to diminish risk of catching a cold 
• Neck pillow, neck pillow, neck pillow. No one likes a stiff neck
• Plan your naps, even if you feel that you cannot sleep, rest your head and close your eyes. You will be very thankful when you land having laid your head down instead of watching 5 movies and frying your brain on a plane with too much screen time
• Eat the meals, if you don't your body will be very confused, airlines usually time them out so that you are maintaining structure with meals regardless of jetlag
• Get an aisle seat on long flights, mostly for the fact that if you pee you do not need to climb over everyone to get to the toilet. Use this method especially when you struggle with travel sickness
•  Bring a change of clothes for layover. Travel makes you smelly, its just going to happen.
• HYDRATE or your ankles and your knees will swell up (emily) and you will be very dehydrated. It is very hard to reverse this issue. 
• Talk to your neighbors before the flight begins so if you happen to fall asleep and or drool on their shoulder, they will be less likely to hate you. 
• Realize that you are in a plane going up to 400 miles an hour and this is a freaking miracle of life, so that you can be excited for your destination. Flights do not scare me anymore because I know that they are a privilege and when I land it will all be worth it! 
• If you are nervous take over the arm rests so that you utilize those and don't accidentally mom arm or clutch your neighbors wrists bearing your nails into their skin. Trust me it has happened before.

Pictures to come! So relieved to be in beautiful Thailand.

xx Samantha Jane

Suvarnabhumi International Airport