Getting There

I just spent the longest time on an airplane. I think next time I will question whether a double the time on a plane is worth saving $600 dollars. There may be spelling mistakes, but I wrote this fast while in NZ airport.

I was nervous about getting on this flight, because it has been raining crazy in Virginia. In fact, I think there were even mudslides in Alexandria, which is crazy! Luck for me though, the sun was shining as I headed to Baltimore airport (I couldn't get a flight out of the airport which is five minutes from my house). I had a big flight iteneary planned. I flew to New York City, Frankfurt Germany, Singapre, and finally into Auckland New Zealand. The complete flight time with layovers came out to be around 35 hours!! I am nuts. The man at customs in New Zealand thought I was crazy and even asked to see my ticket intenerary because he didn't believe me. I promise it was a lot cheaper, a lot longer, but cheaper.

I had a six and half hour layover in NYC so I took a trip into the city. I didn't want to sit in the airport so I got basic directions from a friend that used to live there. I wanted to see Ground Zero, the location of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I was on my mission during the attackes so I have not really seen a lot of footage about the destruction. I have never even seen a tv broadcast about it. So I thought it appropriate to learn more by making a visit to the site.

Since I don't grasp the enormity of the attack at first glance Ground Zero looked like a big construction hole. There are tall buildings all around, but it basically looked like a whole block of NYC was taken out and was going to be rebuilt. The only thing that set the area apart was the attitude of the people walking around. Most of them were tourists looking at information about the attacks. There was a bit of calmness there. I find it amazing when you can discover tranquil spots in the city. It is like finding a warm pocket in the middle of a large lake. I got a bit to eat and sat down across the street from Ground Zero. I heard the sounds of automobiles, but no horns. To my left older men where playing chess. I love that! I always feel part of a community when I see people playing chess, because you know they are locals. When I went to the hungarian spas I saw two overweight men in speedos soaking in the pool. They stood at the edge of the pool playing a game of chess.

Behind me kids ran in circles chasing each other. To my right I watched as people walked back and forth. Many of the tourists stepped in front of my to take a picture of Ground Zero. I took one too. It might just be a hole right now, but in 2009 there will be a memorial, museum, and another skyscaper. The new skyscaper has some really cool demensions too. It will be 1,776 feet hight (that's an important number in US History) with a sharp point that reaches to the height of the previous towers. It will start at the ground as a cube then halfway up be shaped into a perfect octagon, then back to a cube. I look forward to a return visit to see the completed memorial site in the future.

It was not easy for me to get to Ground Zero. My friend Brandon, gave me great directions, but I just didn't trust my insticts. He suggested four ways to get there and I picked option 3. I took the airtram to the subway then hopped on the E train. I was sweating in the underground because it was so humid, which would be disgusting later when I had to sit on a plane for hours. I accidently got off at Penn Station, becuase I thought that was my stop...no, I had about thirty more blocks to go! So I had to buy another one way ticket and get back on the train. Only I got on the wrong direction. Eventually I turned myself around and headed for the World Trade Center stop. It should have taken one hour and I was on the train for two hours! I didn't mind that much though, because I got out of the airport. I think I might have gone crazy sitting in the airport for six straight hours. I was smarter on the trip back to the airport, which only took one hour.

I flew out of NYC at 9:30pm on Singapore airlines. The flight took eight hours to Frankfurt, there was a breif stop and then another twelve hours to Singapore. I have read good things about Singapore airlines and I would have to say there were some good and bad from my experience. First I must say tht I love the flight attendants' uniforms. They were so cute and all of them were super skinny too. ll of the flight attendants were extremely friendly as well. Since it is the "long haul" flight they provide everyone in the economy class with socks, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. They also feed you a lot. I felt like I was being offered a meal or snacks every hour. In fact, I had to skip a few meals because it was too much. Before your take-off they also provide you with a hot towel.

The flight attendants are fast too. Since it was a large plane there were several of attendants. We were eating our first meal within an hour of take-off. On the down side, the food wasn't that good. I know most people don't like airline food, but usually I don't mind. On this trip I wasn't digging the meals too much. Also they didn't offer enough water. They always had a large supply of beer, wine, or juice, but I was craving water.

I watched a ton of movies too. What do you expect when I was on a plane for more then twenty four hours. Some of them were very good. I highly recommend Eight Below. I would like to write about the movie but I'm limited on time. Luckily for me I got to New Zealand safe and sound. It took a long time to get here, but I survived it. Even the man at customs thought I was crazy for taking such a long way to get here. Maybe I am crazy...but I love to travel. I have already been here a full day with my friend Torey. His baggage didn't get here yet, so we are hanging around Auckland for a while. I promise to take pictures of our Motorhome, which is so cute! I am very excited about this trip!