I'm not sure at the moment that I really know.
Your Wednesday evening, about 5PM, I began traveling back to the US. I went to Jakarta, had a layover there where I had to hunt up the covid testing facility and get an antigen test done. I had five hours to get all my luggage (which really wasn't much), take it from domestic terminal to international and drop it off (having already checked in), and get the test done. Next, I took the test up to the Malaysia Air check in place to show my results. I also had a declaration for the airline, required by the US gov. about my covid whatever. I don't remember the specifics but it was about sickness, vaccinations, testing, etc. I had all the correct answers. I've never had covid, been vaccinated (because God is sovereign over this phony vaccine. I'll do anything to further the Gospel), and just had a negative test. BUT, my form, acquired only two days earlier via the Malaysia Air website, was outdated. I needed a brand-new form. I didn't have it. They said they would email it to me and I could quickly print it off. I had no such ability. They were frustrated. I was frustrated.
BUT, this man who I had acquired at the covid test place (at the airport) came up again. He felt he needed to assist me. I seem to attract people like that. Anyway. He had left me to check in at Singapore Air and had time before his departure. He heard what Malaysia Air and I were discussing. He piped up and said that Singapore Air told him the form wasn't needed and he just showed his vaccine card and negative test results and that was that.
Malaysia Air didn't want to lose face before Singapore Airlines. I was allowed to proceed.
On to Kuala Lumpur! The flight went without a hitch. I survived a flight by Malaysia Air! Thank you to the small group who were praying for me. This is where things became difficult. All that walking in Jakarta just killed my back. I have a couple of ruptured disks which don't normally hurt. I also fracture a vertebrae about 12 years ago. My nerve pathways in the area are sensitive and any strain sets them off. I was strained. Strained and flying in VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND NOT FIT FOR HUMAN BODIES coach seats. Add to that a seven hour layover in KL. I have bad things to say about the KL airport. I'll say them later.
At this airport, another helper latched on to me. We talked and talked. She was Malaysian but going to Turkey to meet with her husband. They're planning to live in Istanbul. We got along well. On the plane we were sitting far apart and so our new-found friendship withered. We never exchanged names.
The trip to Doha was about 6.5 hour long, I think. Don't hold me to any facts. By this time, nothing made it into my long-term memory. Three hour layover in Doha.
This flight was FIFTEEN CRAZY UNCOMFORTABLE HOURS LONG. The flight was uneventful. But coach seats have no padding. The angle between bottom and back of the seat does not fit the angle between bottom and back of the human adult body. The seat had no padding. My personal padding is insufficient and in the wrong spots. The food was goo. Gooey eggs, gooey bread, gooey pudding, gooey fruit, gooey meats. I ate as little as my stomach would allow. I still spent time in the lavatory after each eating.
And, Coca Cola Corporate has apparently hacked off many countries, not just conservatives in the US. Indonesia barely has diet coke and NOT just the airports or airlines. Malaysia and Qatar do not have it. They hardly have regular coke. Get woke. Go broke. So, water was what I drank. Don't lecture me. Water is boring. No way to dress it up. It is boring. I was looking forward to a diet coke.
We were late touching down in Atlanta. Big sigh. That meant I missed my initial shuttle to Auburn. That isn't a big deal as I knew another would be by in half-an-hour to an hour. Still, I wanted to get home ASAP.
Adding to the late plane was the fact that I couldn't find my luggage in the carousel. It was there. I knew this from the air tag I had packed in each piece of luggage. But where? I wasn't the only ones with difficulty sorting our luggage. Everybody was having difficulty. Eventually, the luggage was located. I do not understand why it took so long. It went to the carousel and was there. No one could find their right pieces without a lot of looking.
Immigration and customs were not a problem. The system worked smoothly. Then, home. The whole travel time from initial take-off to arrival at Ivy Manor (what we call our house) was about 50 hours. In all that time, I only rested on the planes. No horizontal unconcious time. So. I THINK I am in the US. It looks familiar.
Wow…I had no idea you/y’all were about to embark on such a journey home. I would’ve been sending up prayers.
Sounds like you had a good prayer group doing that. Glad you’ve arrived, safe.
What brings you home, and, for how long?
💞
What a totally miserable long trip, Jem.
Glad you made it home safely.
Did I miss somewhere your reason for returning to the states?
Wow!
What a trip!
It is a miracle that you could get from Indonesia to Alabama in 50 hours. It is unfortunate it could not be in more comfort.
I have not flown since Sept. 2002, I can only imagine the nightmare it has become.
Nice that the gentlemen came to your assistance in the airport—sometimes we entertain angels unaware.
What a trip! Glad you’re back home in your comfortable bed and sofas.
My goodness, you poor dear. I didn’t realize you were coming back to US now, is it temporary? Rest up, and drink diet coje to your heart’s delight,
WOW, glad you are back in the good ole USA.
Rest up girl.