My Latest Airport adventure

So it was time again for my visit to see Kurt. With the economy still being bad on that side of the world, i couldn’t even afford flight tickets this time. It was all super hiked up. Kurt bought me the tickets, saying that we must see each other anyway. I am more than happy to agree with him. Being in a long distance we do our best to keep connected, despite time difference. 5 months was a long time being apart . It was high-time to meet.

So days ago i hopped on the plane from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) heading, though not directly, to Detroit. The first flight was from KL to Manila. At Manila I would have a 13 hour transit. Then from Manila i will get on another airline thats stops at Nagoya, finally continuing to Detroit. I wasn’t exactly all excited for leaving yet, as i know my journey is going to be a long one, as it has always been. I usually get all excited on the final flight in the last hour upon reaching Detroit.

At KLIA, after checking in my luggage. I headed to McDonald’s part of the usual airport rituals of mine to past the time. There i was hit on by some Italian or Spanish looking dude. He started with chatting me up at the counter. Then he took a seat facing me, tables away. Then finally moved to the table right in front of me, as if his previous gesture wasn’t obvious enough. Then he tried a sad pick-up line on me. I was chatting with Kurt of course, telling him all that was happening. And was smiling reading our chats. Then Italian dude tries to talk to me, i wasn’t even paying attention, until i realized he was trying to talk to me and repeating himself loudly. And he asked ” what are you eating?” I was baffled by the most stupid question, as what else do you eat in McD’s, that looks like a burger, but answered anyway “a burger” Then he added “i should get one of those since its making you laughed” Urgh bluargh (*gags*)… Finally it ended by me telling him no i dont want to add him on my msn. I was pretty hard. He didnt look my way again. LOL.

I got on to the flight from KL, But sadly left my favorite fedora at the security check. With having to take of my boots, and place the laptop and mobile phone on separate trays so many times, I left Feddy (my fedora)behind. I only realized this more than 30 minutes later, on the flight as it rose to cruising altitude. Too late to do anything.

The flight being only 3 and half hours to Manila, I was still trying to catch some sleep. To my ‘luck’, I had this Philippino insisting to chat my ear off. He was pleasant, and not too intrusive so we spoke the whole hour or 2.

At Manila Airport, i was so impressed that someone was waiting for me equip with “Dewwealth, Joann” printed on piece of paper. He told me since i had a long layover before my next flight, he was there to help me get my luggage and then help get into a day room to rest and cleanup while waiting for the next flight, if i was interested. The room cost me 18.80USD. I thought it wasn’t that bad, plus i badly needed a shower, as the previous flight was particularly hot. At the room my luggage was delivered to me and also the assurance that later 2 hours before my flight i could go to the transfer desk and get my bags checked in, that someone will be waiting for me. Next morning at 4am, i go to the transfer desk. The guard there told me that the airline personnel isn’t there yet to check me in, but should be there at least 2 hours before the flight. So i wait til 4.30am and no one shows up. I asked the security personnel to help me get the message across to the Airline personnel working at the departure desk, but they were insisting i just wait, that someone will be there soon. Right about a little over an hour to my flight I couldn’t stand waiting anymore. And asked them what’s the used if they are so called ‘working’ in the ‘transfer’ desk when they cant even contact the airline in charged for my transfer. They told me not to worry they would be there soon, they should be there and they will be able to check me in. I got so irritated with the the same answer i have been given for the passed 1 and half hour, and asked what happened if i miss my flight, do i not worry too? Finally my shifty and slightly ticked off mood got the transfer personnel moving to at least make some calls. Now, how hard was that??? Someone did come and get me checked on the flight, after she made the call. Passengers were already boarding by that time and there they were struggling to get my luggage checked in. Their reason for why they didnt get to the transfer desk?? They were not informed that i was there. Grrrrr!!!! Hmmm i guess they were more interested to make 18USD off me than fully service me so i got on to my next flight.

We reached Nagoya, Japan and had to get off the flight, since it was picking up more passengers. But it was relatively a short wait. I don’t mind transiting. Beats having to sit so long on a long flight. Finally i’m feeling a little excited as the plane leaves for Detroit, its final destination. This would take 10hours. I try to sleep on the flight, but ended up watching all the in-flight entertainment. 4 movies in total.

The plane touched down in Detroit rather roughly with the captain apologizing later. I was feeling nauseous from the bumpy descend and touch down. I just couldn’t wait to be out of the stuffy plane, to hopefully walk off my nauseousness.

Security at the US entrance is always strict. It is also a very long wait. I have since missed at at least one flight while having to wait in queue, on my previous visits here. It took me almost 30 minutes waiting in queue at the security check, which is standard requirement for them to ask you a series of questions on your intension of your visit.

My turn came and he asked the usual question, what is the purpose of my visit. So i answered my usual answer. “to visit my boyfriend”. Is this my first time, “No” How long have you been dating “2 years” What does he do? at this point i was wondering what other intrusive question would come my way ” he’s unemployed” I just cant be telling a lie as i have to make up more lies. So the questions gets more and more personal, such as where is he living, with family or on his own. What does he do for money. Are you planning to get married soon. If not why… bla bla bla.

I thought it was finally over , when another security guy comes to me to ascot me to a waiting room not explaining why I was brought there. It looked like there was a few smaller interrogation room beside the waiting area. More and more people were brought in. Mostly Indonesian or Philippinos. My passport was in their possession together with 20 others. With more and more coming in, I thought for sure i wont get out of here until 3pm (i reached at 12:15pm, and it was 1:15pm now) It looks like only one person could be interrogated at a time. I was truly freaking out. Thinking for some reason i could be on the next flight home. And poor Kurt would have wasted the money he spent.

By some grace of god the security guy calls my name. And i go through the same bunch of questions, for the second time. Asking me what i do and so on. So i asked if my current visit was too close to my last visit. And he said no. So after 10 minutes of questioning and typing a bunch of stuff into the computer i was allowed to go get my bags. By this time it was almost 2pm. I was feeling sore from being subjected to such questioning. I was wondering, would it be so bad for me to be visiting my boyfriend at least twice a year for just a few weeks. Or should i not visit him as frequent? Was what i did so bad? I was not overstaying. Just felt so hurt.

When i finally got out to the waiting area, searching the faces of the waiting crowd, which by that time wasn’t many, Kurt was no where to be found. At that time all my frustration turn into crazy anger. After taking almost 15 minutes to start my phone, (urgh i need a new phone that doesn’t act like its a rock) I called him sounding as angry and mad. Accusing him of being late. He was already waiting there for the last 2 hours but at a different exit.

When i finally meet Kurt after 5 months not seeing him, i took out my frustration out on him. He is truly a good person to stay calm as I’m semi shouting at him about my ordeal. Taking out my frustration on the American Security personnels on Kurt. The security personnel can be so rude, some even were shouting at us visitors,when someone were to ask some questions, just because they think they can. I find them to be so paranoid about everyone coming in and so ignorant thinking the only reason we are there is that there’s just no way anyone can live better than in America. Fat chance you idiot!! I am probably making more money than you and can afford more travels than you can in your lifetime. ( i guess im still angry huh, so unbecoming)

Time to make it up to Kurt though.. for being a super bitch.. i have many ideas hehehehehe

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