We were given the usual run around(why am I not surprised?), as no one could tell us which ticket counter we should check into, or when it would be open for checking in. Finally we had an answer. At
1:00 PM we'd get our tickets and be able to go to our gate. To get to our gate, we underwent four rounds of screening,
patdowns, and/or bag searches. Boarding for our flight was never called out, and so wehappened to find our way there at the right time by chance. Flying in Nepal is unlike flying anywhere else. There is no gate assignment displayed anywhere. Sometimes the flight numbers aren't the same. You watch others, and if you see rapid movement approximately when you should be boarding, you join that crowd. It works, but not for the unobservant traveler.Our flight went smoothly. Next was our 10 hour Delhi, India layover. Somehow, when you are between sleeping and consciousness, time can travel very quickly. We were kept in an International Traveler holding area. It was a little like day care for adults. A few recliners, but mostly normal seating, and a Indian food cart. Weary travelers moved from chair to floor, trying to sleep or remain relatively comfortable. This killed us because we knew that not far away, just up the escalator in our view, was a sea of magenta couches that made up the most perfect sleep spot. Instead of sleeping we talked with others. It was nice to hear what people were up to and get suggestions for future
trips.
At last, we were turned free. Tickets in hand, we marched up the escalator towards the couches. Sadly, each was already inhabited so we both claimed a bench of our own and slept for a while.
In China, we found our way through the transfer station and a security screening. Unlike last time, this went flawlessly. No angry workers, no holding up the line to harass the foreigners. We got to our gate quickly and sat in recliners overlooking the runway. A few hours passed and we got in line to board our flight.
"This is not your flight," the airline worker told us. "Your flight is CA0991, this isn't that flight."
"Ok," I said and realized nothing matched up between the screen and my ticket aside from the destination: Vancouver. "You looked at the wrong gate," I said to Kevin with a joking tone. Can't place the blame cause I didn't double check. Two flights to Vancouver that were boarding at the same time? Inconceivable!
Some instruction passed between the girls in Chinese and we were told to get to gate E26. Realizing the boarding time was a half hour earlier, I asked Kevin if he was ready to run as I took off. No way in hell I was staying in China for he night, I was going home!
It was a full out race. The distance wasn't too far but we had to dodge
people, carts, glitzy stores, and not fall off moving walkways. We briefly hopped into an airport car but the man pointed at a price per person*. "Um, no," I said. "I have no money! Let's go Kevin," I yelled while jumping from the moving vehicle. Kevin must have done the same cause he was right behind me. The driver of the cart was yelling something at us which I ignored. Despite all odds, we made it. We arrived after our plane should have been backing out, however lightning caused a fortunate delay. There we were, somehow still on track and about to board our final flight and the last official leg of our two month trip.
trips.At last, we were turned free. Tickets in hand, we marched up the escalator towards the couches. Sadly, each was already inhabited so we both claimed a bench of our own and slept for a while.
In China, we found our way through the transfer station and a security screening. Unlike last time, this went flawlessly. No angry workers, no holding up the line to harass the foreigners. We got to our gate quickly and sat in recliners overlooking the runway. A few hours passed and we got in line to board our flight.
"This is not your flight," the airline worker told us. "Your flight is CA0991, this isn't that flight."
"Ok," I said and realized nothing matched up between the screen and my ticket aside from the destination: Vancouver. "You looked at the wrong gate," I said to Kevin with a joking tone. Can't place the blame cause I didn't double check. Two flights to Vancouver that were boarding at the same time? Inconceivable!Some instruction passed between the girls in Chinese and we were told to get to gate E26. Realizing the boarding time was a half hour earlier, I asked Kevin if he was ready to run as I took off. No way in hell I was staying in China for he night, I was going home!
It was a full out race. The distance wasn't too far but we had to dodge
people, carts, glitzy stores, and not fall off moving walkways. We briefly hopped into an airport car but the man pointed at a price per person*. "Um, no," I said. "I have no money! Let's go Kevin," I yelled while jumping from the moving vehicle. Kevin must have done the same cause he was right behind me. The driver of the cart was yelling something at us which I ignored. Despite all odds, we made it. We arrived after our plane should have been backing out, however lightning caused a fortunate delay. There we were, somehow still on track and about to board our final flight and the last official leg of our two month trip.*the price he pointed to was 20 yen/person. Sounded like a lot to me so I jumped out. Turns out to be equivalent to about 25 cents. oops...
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