Nowhere in Narita

NH 902 from SIN to NRT was uneventful – it seemed to go by faster than the actual 7 hours, and unlike the Jetstar flight to Vietnam at the beginning of the month (that may as well have been called Air Turbulence), everything was smooth as silk, bar a slight bit of jerkiness when we passed through some storm clouds shortly after take off. Considering the not unsubstantial amount of flying I’ve done – for a student la – turbulence still gets me in ways few other things can. I think it’s the feeling of being completely powerless and vulnerable – although there is a time and place for that, but that’s WTMI here isn’t it?

After a surprisingly unemotional farewell (see Andrea, I stuck to the script), I went straight to the gate and more or less boarded almost immediately, after a quick phone call to say final goodbyes. The first thing that struck me when I entered the plane was the… middle-aged… stewardess who greeted me. I was reminded once again of the peculiarities of Singapore and Singaporeans. In fact, an American friend told me that the term ‘stewardess’ itself is offensive, and that in the good ol’ US of Political Correctness, gender-neutral terms such as ‘flight attendant’ are used. I’m all for older cabin crew, but the stewardess thing comes so naturally we’ll stick to that, until, I’m sure, I’m ticked off by an irate individual one day. In any case, I’m guessing that Japan can’t afford to be picky about age, what with their graying population and all…

The other thing I realized was how spacious the 767-300 cabin was. The 767 isn’t talked about much, and I never really had much of an impression, apart from when I took a Qantas domestic from Brisbane to Melbourne way back in ’96. In fact, I remember being somewhat disappointed on hearing that they were still being used on the SIN – NRT route (ANA is supposed to replace its 767 fleet with 787s but, of course, that particular model has been besieged by production delays).

So you can imagine my pleasant surprise at how well-maintained the plane was. The last time I flew in to Tokyo on an SQ 747-400, I had the distinct impression that I was on an old plane – a venerable one no doubt, but the cabin had a distinctly worn feel to it, notwithstanding the lingering Christmas decorations. I’m also a fan of the 2-3-2 seating, it makes the cabin seem less cramped, and it also means that I’m only ever one seat away from the aisle, which is vital for someone who needs the toilet as much as I do, but still enjoys a window seat from time to time. The baggage hold was also rather spacious, especially compared with the A320s Jetstar uses. I know, can’t compare budget to full-service, but just sayin’…

Watched The Pelican Brief, the movie adaptation of the John Grisham novel starring Julia Roberts and set in DC of all places, featuring two slain Supreme Court justices, a billionaire donor to the President, a pushy Chief of Staff, prestigious law firms, and an intrepid Tulane Law student. You could say I enjoyed it.

Only complaint about the flight was that they serve breakfast at freaking 5am. I mean, seriously, I had barely finished the movie, listened to Obsessed and Battlefield, hopped over the sleeping Japanese man next to me to use the loo, and tried to get some shut-eye, only to have the lights turned on and the announcement that breakfast would be served.
What made it worse was that the Breakfast wasn’t much good. Bland eggs and sausage. And this coming from someone who (1) actually likes airline food (2) has a relatively high tolerance for bad food. A damning indictment if there was one.

But don’t get me wrong, the first leg of me flight has been great, and I haven’t had my lofty expectations of ANA disappointed as yet. Yes, everything is in Japanese, but the stewardesses do make an effort to speak in English to the rest of us heathen masses, so you don’t feel discriminated against or anything, just… inferior. Haha. I think the SIN – NRT leg is great for those who want to arrive in Tokyo bright and early in the morning. The flight probably doesn’t feel very long cause its an overnighter and you spend a bit of time in and out of slumber.

As the plane descended, I looked out the window at the blue sea, which soon turned into the most verdant, lush countryside I have ever seen. Green everywhere, Jin you’d love it :). Japanese rural areas aren’t really very rural anyway – there’re green spaces but they’re sort of interspersed by buildings and infrastructure. The taxi from runway to terminal was unduly long, but I eventually found myself in a rather empty portion of Nartia at 7 am.

After finding out I was ineligible to use the rather spiffy looking ANA lounge (we’re not quite at that level yet la huh), I decided to change the 50 Singapore dollars in my wallet which fetched me about 3000 yen, and I’m typing this out on Microsoft word (because I can’t get free WIFI) in a nice little foodcourt while sipping on my Starbucks iced caramel macchiato. Feels like home. Thought of having a McPorko burger (which I’m sure would make Jin jealous) but when I got to Macs I realized they’re still on the breakfast menu. I should get something ramen-y since I’m in Japan no? I love Japan. I don’t care what Newsweek says (their headline this week is ‘Fading Japan’, and I just saw this in a bookstore in Narita airport. Weird). Can’t wait to be back in Jan. OMG Jin I saw this Sony Vaio netbook that was super super light.
I still have about one and a half hours here, and intend to get a shower before I get on the plane again (I think 500 yen for that’s pretty worth it, no?). And yup that’s about it really. Was trying to get phone recep and couldn’t, which got me really annoyed with Starhub, until I realized where I was (my Iphone isn’t 3G sigh).
Hmm could use something to eat now. Till next time!
*Edit. So I'm in DC now, The meals on the second leg were better, and I had the good fortune to be assigned seats in Premium Economy, which had 2-4-2 seating instead of 3-3-3, and slightly more legroom which was great.
Caught 17 Again which really wasn't was bad as I thought it would be, and Star Trek. 777-200 was more spacious than I remembered. Flight was mostly smooth although there were pockets of jerkiness, but that was unavoidable. I spoke with the lady seated next to me periodically, as she had lived in Singapore from 98 - 00 and took an interest in conversing when she found out that I was from there. She and her husband work for the State Department and she has lived in countries including Ghana, Nicaragua and Rome. This latest flight was the result of some 'embassy work' in Burma and she was flying back to DC, where they will be living for the foreseeable future. Despite all her traveling, she actually brought her pair of dogs (the composition of which has changed over the years but oh well) along on her travels, and one of them is 16 years of age and has, since she bought it from a shelter as a puppy, seen more of the world than most humans out there. Very interesting, the people one meets on the plane.

My story probably doesn't compare to Keith's. And since he can't tell it to you guys I'll do so and bask in reflected glory. Bitch was upgraded to freaking business class on the NRT to IAD leg because they were overbooked. He said it felt much shorter than the actual 12 or so hours, and he now understands why travelers (or rather, their companies) are willing to pay a premium. So lucky!

Anyway I'm off to take a shower and then we're going for dinner, I walked around the neighborhood so far and at the risk of repeating myself to various people, I really like it, and my house/room. Pictures on Facebook. Take care you guys.