Traveling

So for everybody who didn't know my exact travel plans or only just saw random facebook status updates I wanted to write how exactly I got to Cambodia. It all began on the morning of Thursday January 28th when I woke up at 2:30 am to leave the house by 3:30 to make the drive to Miami. After a two and a half/ three hour drive to the airport I proceeded to the American Airlines gate to try and get checked in all the way to Bangkok. The American Airlines agent tells me that she cannot check me all the way through so can checks me in all the way to Beijing, but I got two checked bags for free. I asked if an hour and forty-five minutes was enough time for me to clear customs, grab my bags, and check in again she said yes so I didn't worry. I finally said my good byes to mom and dad at about 7 and proceeded to the gate.

My first flight was a 6 hour flight to San Fransisco which left and arrived on time. I went to the gate agent at Air China (2nd flight) and asked to be checked in to Bangkok,since my bags were not checked all the way to Bangkok the lady was unable to check me in. She told me that the American Airlines lady could have checked me in all the way and was confused why she hadn't done so. She said I should have enough time to get my bags leave the gate and make my next flight so I was a little more worried but felt confident I would get to Bangkok. I get on the plane and thankfully I am on an aisle with no one in between me and another American sitting in the window seat. After eating and taking a nap on the plane the American (of course I didn't get his name) and I start talking. I find out that the guy is visiting his Chinese wife and travels through Beijing all the time, I asked him about the airport and if he thought I could make my next flight. He tried to reassure me saying he had made it through the whole airport in 30 minutes so I should be fine he then asks if I have a Visa. Giving him a confused look I explain how I thought I didn't need one since I was just passing through he goes on to tell me that China is very strict and that you need a Visa even if it isn't your final destination if you leave the terminal you need a Visa. Now not only am I worried about not making my next flight I am scared I am going to get in huge trouble because I don't have a Visa. So of course that bit of news sent my nerves through the roof my plan at this point was to just play dumb when I went to customs desk and hope they give me a temporary visa quickly so I can be on my way. 

After 13 hours on an older 747 I finally land 20 minutes late and proceed to deplane to the tarmac in  30 degree weather I now have 45 minutes to clear customs, grab my bags, and check in again. I went to the transfer desk where the gate agent explained that I would never make my flight if I grabbed my bags so I had to choose bags or Bangkok. I took Bangkok. The gate agent would try to get my bags to me in the morning.

I finally get on my flight to Bangkok which of course was running late and they had seated another guy in my same seat so that added some confusion. My flight was pretty uneventful after that and we landed in Bangkok 5 hours later. After getting my Thai Visa I went to lost baggage and spent 30 minutes filling out forms to get my bags in the morning before my flight the next day to Phnom Penh. The gentleman at lost baggage was super nice and tried everything he could to get them to the airport by 9 am but couldn't guarantee anything. Thank goodness my hotel was less than 5 minutes away I finally got in my room charged all my electronics and took a much needed shower. 

The next morning I am up bright and early to eat breakfast at the hotel and call about my bags, which will not arrive until 6 pm so I am just going to have to wait for them in Phnom Penh. I head to airport early and wait for my final flight which boards at 3 pm and I make it to Cambodia an hour and a half later.  After going through a very interesting Tourist Visa process I  meet my Tuk Tuk driver (we all call him Schmitty) and embark on a crazy 30 minute drive through Cambodian traffic to finally get to the hotel.  It was a four country three day journey with so much time spent in airports and planes I do not know how I didn't collapse on my bed. I am happy I am here I realize how much I have not seen of the world and I am so glad I had decided to come to Asia.