The journey and the destination

Going to the US from Manila should be via the Pacific. That's a fact. Going the other direction, which is what I did for this trip, may be cheaper. But there's a reason it's cheap, no matter the exemplary airline. I had two long-haul flights each way and two long layovers in Abu Dhabi: two very long, very I-can't-wait-to-get-outta-here layovers. Total travel time, including check-ins: 75 hours. Unbelievable.

Going to Washington: MNL-AUH-IAD

I checked in at Terminal 1 of the Manila airport 4 hours before my flight. I wanted an aisle seat for both legs of the trip, and I figured I'd be first in line at the counter. Was I wrong!

What time did these people get here?!

Nine hours after I was on my aisle seat, I landed in Abu Dhabi where the sun has just barely risen.

Seven hours here and no chance of seeing the desert (I didn't have a transit visa). Ferrari World, you're so close! I had to content myself with this simulator.

And giggle to myself when I saw these:

It was 13 hours later before I landed at Dulles. By that time, the word cranky was an understatement.

Washington to Indianapolis: IAD-IND

I spent a couple of days in Washington for work. Later, I jumped in a cab at the crack of dawn to get to Dulles. The damage: US$90 for the cab, US$15 for breakfast at Cosi, and 5 hours of travel time.

Indy. Finally!

Rinse, repeat: IND-IAD-AUH-MNL

I'm too old to still do this in Economy. What's that saying about the destination being the journey itself? Did whoever coin that know what this kind of travel does to a body? And oh: ever heard of jetlag? See ya later. Going to sleep.

#travel #usa #washington #indianapolis #abudhabi