So after a year I’m going home afterall. You know, the term ‘going back’ or ’pulang’ really depends on whose the person I’m speaking with. If I’m speaking to someone here (I’m writing this while waiting for connecting flight in Atlanta) in the states, most likely I’m refering to going back to Semarang. But whenever I speak to my family or old friends, ‘pulang’ really means going back to US. Anyways.. it doesn’t really matter, does it? It’s true that I have only one hometown, a city where I spent all my childhood… a place where all my childhood dreams and memories were written. But seriously, after all this while… I think I started to call Columbus my second home… *sigh*
Uhm, I dunno what else to write now, so I’m putting my journey here, for those who care to read.. I will try to always keep this updated, but of course it depends on internet connection.
12.08.2007 11:40 am EST Columbus, OH
Thanks to Yunike and Yusi for picking us up (me and my roomies). All of us went to Bangkok for lunch before they drop us in the airport.
12.08.2007 02:35 pm EST Columbus, OH
Departing from Columbus using Delta Airlines. It is a 2 hour flight, which I think I slept for 90% of the time. I was so tired that I already fell asleep when it was taking off, woke up only when they serve drink and snack (Nip Chee, a cracker made from REAL CHEDDAR CHEESE!), and continue my slumber until everyone suddenly rose up from their seat (yes, the plane is already landing).
12.08.2007 04:35 pm EST Atlanta, GA
Writing this blog in a hurry while drinking Orange Sunrise smoothies from Freshens. Tastes pretty good, except that it contains so many ice slush. I’m shivering here >___< The airport is quite nice and large. I saw the map on one of Delta’s magazine in the plane, and there are tons of flight coming in and out from here. Delta must be based here.
12.08.2007 07:45 pm PT Los Angeles, CA
Met Riza and the Cathay gang, we had dinner together on the cafetaria. Got rice curry for $7.55, the taste is just ok… next time I guess I’ll just go with McDonalds.
12.08.2007 08:10 pm PT Los Angeles, CA
Met Erwin, line up for our boarding pass and went downstair for the special registration procedure. We had to wait for about 25 minutes, but there were no question asked. Now about the long haul flight to Taipei, Erwin was not kidding when he said that China Airline’s plane is good. Compared to Cathay, the personal entertainment and seating layout are definitely better, the service quality is about the same, the only thing that I’m complaining is the fact that I didn’t bring toothbrush ‘coz usually they provide it in the lavatories.. there weren’t any. Erwin asked the flight attendant, but she never come back. I watched The Transformers, Superbad, Johny Andrean biography, The Simpsons Movie, and an episode of TV Champions about cake. Oh one more thing, there’s power port on almost every seat, so you can use your laptop on the plane easily: no adapter needed!
12.09.2007 05:45 am NST Taipei, Taiwan
My first time in Taipei :) The airport is quite modern, if you compare it to airport in Indonesia. But they are still wayyyy behind the likes of HKIA, Changi, Schiphol, and Narita. Tried to call an old friend who is now in Taiwan, but I can’t find the free phone that she mentioned a couple of time in the past. Yep, i’m that cheap. *gets bricked* Anyways, I bought myself a plate of ‘rice beef’, which seriously, they should name it ‘rice curry beef’ instead. They taste pretty good, cannot beat my goood ol’ (instant) Golden Curry, but it is definitely better than the one I ate at LAX. It costs me NT$250, the same price as what Erwin got - a bowl of beef noodle. I think his noodle greatly resembles mie tite (pork noodle with shrimp, it’s one of Semarang’s local delicate - and of course, it’s not halal), but I happen to *hate* mie tite, so that’s the conclusion.
12.10.2007 01:50 pm WIB Jakarta, Indonesia
I’m sweating like a pig! The imigration was - just as I expected - very loose. I didn’t get check for anything, it’s not like they should have check my baggage, they won’t find anything, but nobody was checked! My flight to Semarang is at 510, so I have to wait for like 3 hours. The flight got delayed for a good hour, so long story short, I finally step on Ahmad Yani International Airport (yes, INTERNATIONAL airport, we have flight to Singapore, so it’s international!) at around 7:10 pm. Home sweet home. Mosquitos, ants, traffic jam, fooooodddd, slow internet, just bring ‘em all~!!
