2014
Air China (China Air)–International and Domestic (2 flights ~ IAD to PEK and PEK to CGO).
My university paid for and arranged the flight tickets, so I have no idea how that process went down. We just got the e-ticket confirmation and got ready to go.
The best part of Air China though came on the transfer from United to Air China in Washington, DC. You can read all about the horror story with United here, but long story short I accidentally checked the carry-on bag that had my passport in it at the request of United. Upon realizing the issue, I spent 2.5 hours being given the run-around by United as to where my suitcases were and how to access my passport. Finally, I abandoned the idea of getting any help from them and went to the Air China desk. I was instantly directed to the manager (it took about 4 minutes from reaching the busy counter for them to get me through to someone who could help ~ great timing), to whom I explained the issue and asked if they could tell me when they received the suitcases from United so I could find my passport in them. The manager informed me that the plane would be leaving shortly, but that if I went ahead and checked in and went through security, she would personally bring the bags to my gate (since the bags had been through security I couldn’t touch them, but she would let me point to the pocket where it was).
I hurried on ahead and made it to the gates with no time to spare. They were actually holding the plane for us to run ahead, they had my passport in hand already when I got there, suitcases were on the plane, and I was escorted through all in about 10 minutes. The entire interactions with them (outside of security) only took about 25 minutes, so much more satisfying than the 2.5 hours with United where I hadn’t gotten anywhere. The flight attendants / employees were amazingly gracious about the whole situation, and everything was far less stressful than my experience with United had been.
Carry-On ~ 21″ x 15″ x “7 at less than 11 lbs.
Checked ~ 62″ linear (70 lbs for First/Business; 50 lbs for Economy)
On international flights, First/Business Class customers get 2 free carry on bags, and Economy gets 1. We were each carrying on us a carry-on bag, a full backpack, and random odds and ends (I was lugging a pillow in a suction bag, a book, my drink, etc.). Luckily, we did end up checking our carry-on bags clear through for free due to United’s original lack of space in their compartments. United wasn’t actually going to pay for that later (DC United didn’t want to pay for what Denver’s United had promised to cover), but after we spoke with Air China, they called up a manager who worked it out and got the carry-ons checked clear through—another area where Air China pulled through when United failed.
On international flights, First/Business Class customers get 2 free checked bags that can weigh as much as 70lbs each; Economy customers get 2 free check bags weighing 50lbs or less each.
Boarding was a little touch-and-go, perhaps through no fault of their own. I already described the whole thing about boarding in DC, the rest of which went pretty well. The poor flight attendant guy didn’t realize that I was packing a couple layers of clothes (trying to save on weight 😛 ) and attempted to give me one of the seat belt extenders. He really was very discreet about it all, and was attempting to be kind. When I showed that I didn’t need it though, it got him flustered, and our trip went a little downhill from there. It probably didn’t help that he later accidentally walked into the bathroom on me when the lock didn’t quite click correctly or that the bad turbulence made him and me crash and spill my drink on me. Honestly, I don’t think he could have handled it any more pleasantly than he tried to do and none of it was his fault. It really just wasn’t our flight 🙂
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Image of the square mainstreet square of Gwanghwamun leading up to Gyeongbokgung Palace
I so wish I could take my mom to do this, the tour sounds like a lot of fun!
Seoul Metropolitan Government has established the Seoul Storytelling Mission Tour, which runs from July 27 to October 2014. There is a new tour every week, and there will be English, Chinese, and Japanese variations.
Once every week, international tourists or foreign residents can participate in the tour as it slowly walks them through many of the city’s attractions. Stops include Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (beautiful area), Gwanghwamun Square (best palace in the city), Yeouido Hangang Park (picnic heaven), and others. As part of the event, each participant will be given various assignments such as photographing certain locations. So it’s kind of like a scavenger hunt!
Sign up quick! Only the first 100 people to register can participate!
DATE: July 27- October
COST: Free!!
WHERE TO REGISTER: http://www.seoulstory.org/article/notice/184?pageindex=1
MORE INFORMATION: Website
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Program |
Route |
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Seoul City Wall Course |
Marronnier Park → Ihwa Mural Village → Naksan Park → |
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Dongdaemun |
Dongdaemun Design Plaza → Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun Gate) → |
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Sejongdaero Hangeul Gaon-gil |
Gwanghwamum Square → Gyeongbokgung Palace → Sejongno Park → |
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Hanseong Baekje Cultural Heritage |
Olympic Park World Peace Gate → Gommaldali Birdge → |
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Hangang River |
[Yeouido] Yeouido Hangang Park → Nogeumsu Plaza → |
Kelly Dobkin, a writer on Zagat, recently posted an interesting article “Hooked on Acid – Has the American Palate Changed Forever?” While I found interesting her article on the American taste changing from the creamy French to spicier/more acidic flavors in their food, what caught my eye was the fact that she suggests these spicier flavors are predominantly Asian in nature.
As most of my readers know, I have traveled and eaten in several Asian countries ~ China, Korea, and Japan to be exact. The lack of cooking utensils (and a determination to thoroughly enjoy ourselves) led me and my fellow students to local restaurants most nights. Asia is awesome for many reasons, but the cheap food at restaurants is a real draw.
One of the things that I kept running into were warnings about the spiciness of their food. Having been raised on Mexican and South American food, I have always had a preference for the spicier side of cuisine; and I generally order hotter dishes when I eat out. Asia was no different, and I frequently was drawn towards dishes with the cute little jalapeno pepper symbol next to it. Repeatedly, the waiters/waitresses would stop and ask if I was quite sure I wanted something that hot. Over and over, they would warn “very hot. I think that in America you must not eat food this hot.” And just as often, I would reassure them that if they didn’t hand over the beef dish immediately, they were losing a hand to my fork. Continue reading
“She was free in her wildness. She was a wanderess, a drop of free water. She belonged to no man and to no city” ~ Roman Payne
Language Translation
Deceptively Blonde 