Flight to Hong Kong

I have now arrived in Hong Kong. Not quite as exciting as my visit one year ago, but a refreshing change to the seemingly stagnant environment of the Bay Area. I was flying stand-by, and did not make it on my first attempt to fly out on the 28th. This time of year is quite busy for traveling. It's not the greatest feeling to sit there waiting at the gate and not know you are about to fly 1,400 miles until about five minutes before the plane takes off. The second day, I did not think I would get on the plane. After the taking the BART and going through all the trouble, I didn't know if I could do this every day without it wearing on me and making the trip less exciting. Sitting there at the gate for the second time to get on the plane while everyone else had already boarded was unnerving. The waiting area was so empty and quite. About ten people were waiting with attentive silence hoping their name would be called. I prayed to have my name called, and if it wasn't, it would was sudden death, which could happen day after day after day. "PHILLIP SATTERFIELD, COME TO THE COUNTER." It was like music ringing out. Thinking that if I didn't get there in instantly they might pass on me, I floated quickly to the attendant at the counter as if not to look too desparate identifying myself with some urgency. And off I went down the tunnel to the airplane where I met another lucky contestant of "STAND-BY-FLYER." It was like winning the lottery, or better yet some reality TV show where I barely made the cut to stay on. And not only did I get to stay on the show, I got a bonus prize: Business Class! Ah yes, the luxury of large leather seats with personal monitors and flight attendants at your beckon call. Leg room that went for miles, yes, I am truly blessed. And now it seemed only fitting that I had a glass of Champagne waiting for me as well. After a few glasses of champagne, and some obligatory and non-obligatory phone calls for some last farewells, I was off and up out. The 14 hour flight was not difficult to cope with since I had done many times before in my previous travels, and in much less luxury. And before I knew it, I was in Hong Kong. Step 1 accomplished, now time for Step 2, figure out what the next step is going to be. Well tonight is New Year's Eve, and I will go out tonight and look for some celebration, but this is not a significant Holiday here, and pale's on comparison to the real New Year, Chinese New Year.

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