Home for the Holidays!

I'm Home! 

So after a very long journey I'm snuggled in front of the fire watching a harry potter marathon on TV. 

It all started friday afternoon, Friday was a half day of school, I submitted my final report cards and waited until the end of the work day to head home. I went home, did the last minute packing. and then head out to the bus, which left at 3:40 to Manila, I arrived at 9. Christmas traffic, it sucks. So usually a 3 hour bus ride took a little longer. Once there I then waited an hour to get a cab. Eventually I was able to  check into my hotel around 10:30. Which for a discount hotel turned out to be really nice. Normally in Manila things are a little run down but this hotel was nice, and clean the only downside was that my window looked out onto a water tank and then a concert wall.  

All packed ready to go. I left the hotel just after 9am, and headed to the airport. I wanted to get there three hours before my flight because of the airport chaos. And it was a good thing too. Because when I arrived at the terminal it was packed with people. As you can see from the picture below, the airport was full. I was there in line to check in, you can see where the line ends where there are the monitors at the other end. 

When I finally got to check in I asked for an aisle or window seat for the flight. They guy at the check in counter informed me that he was able to book me a aisle seat fro my flight from Taipei to Toronto, but there was nothing left on the flight from Manila to Taipei. Which was fine by me, at least I got what I wanted for the long flight. And then he told me he'd check one last thing, he told me that he was able to get me a the front of the plane, so at least i will get off faster and served first. 

I then made my way through costumes, and paid the exit free, and then I sat at my gate, eagerly waiting my departure.  To my luck when I check to see what boarding zone I was in I was the first. And as I made my way onto the plane I began too look at my seat number, and then the seats around me. I was in 15 C which meant to my surprise I was in first class! To my shock I stowed my bags sat down in my seat and kept waiting for someone to come and tell me there was a mistake. I got all this leg room, and space, and a nice little foot rest. I was served fancy bubble tea, and ate great food. Had a nice little nap, unfortunately this flight was only two and a half hours. 

I disembarked my hello kitty plane. Eva air, its Taipei's airline, and Taipei happens to be the home of hello kitty. The airport had a surprising amount of pink in it. I settled into a chair with my book waiting for my flight. I had heard of the storm brewing at home, and was wondering if I was going to be able to make it home today. The first 15 minute delay for our flight was called, and in my head it was thinking "this is it, i'll be spending my night in a hello kitty hotel." But luckily there was no other delays, we settled into the plane. Economy was very disappointing compared to first class. Fate would have it that the middle seat remained unoccupied giving me and the guy at the window a little more space to stretch out. Just a 13 hour jaunt to Toronto. And I was home!

Of course my luggage being the last on off the carousel. I arrived to a crowd of people all waiting for their loved ones. Somehow Mom managed to find me and we drove home, trying to beat the ice storm. I was exhausted and when we pulled into the drive way just after midnight I was ready for bed. The next day I awoke to snow and ice covered trees.