Flying traveling with children is never easy. One must be proactive and anticipate anything and everything in order for things to be more smooth. For this trip, I did. Not to sound smug, but really, I learned from my failures last December when we came to the US with our little 21-month-old Jyoti.
Here are some things I remembered this time:
- Toddler's favorite snacks to be given out periodically throughout the flight/ layover? ✔
- Awesome toys that said toddler loves but you have hidden them from her for the past month in order to make them more interesting again? ✔
- Apps/ movies downloaded for when toddler above two options begins to fail? ✔
- Do whatever you can to encourage children to sleep (including but not limited to: sitting on the floor in front of the plane seats so toddler can lay across two seats to sleep)? ✔
So, I would never use the word easy to explain our travels. But, both kids slept. Only Prasansa had a meltdown on our last plane and it really wasn't bad. We were blessed. But our journey was a consistent patience tester to the end.
Here is what happened:
We sat in the van as my dad drove us to the airport. Prasansa wailing in her car seat while Jyoti whined about, well, everything. It was both of their naptimes and it was my job to keep them awake now so they would sleep on the plane.
My dad dropped us off at the airport and we had a warm good-bye before it was focus time. Our first flight was with American Airlines and the lady who printed our boarding passes was the nicest and warmest person. She did not tell us which terminal we should go to though. Not her fault. It was clearly written on the boarding tickets, that both Simon and myself neglected to check. So we go through security, annoying as anyone who flies can testify. But when it's done, it's done. Right? Nope. We go through security for terminal A... only to find out our plane leaves from terminal B! Fun stuff. We kinda felt like professionals though when we went through security for the second time.
"Oh, the stroller? Yea, it doesn't fit through that so we need to push it through the door. How do I know? We've done this before. Yea, about 10 minutes ago."
Simon and I chuckled our way to the gate while we dug through all the perishable food we packed. This first flight was how I wish all flights could be. Our flight attendants made me feel like we were besties. Both our children slept almost the entire flight. There was no turbulence. Take-off and landing were incredibly smooth. It was a dream!
We were in LA for a sold 7 hours and 35 minutes. Yes. It was long but it actually went by fast. We ate some yummy food and boarded our plane. China Southern had everyone start boarding about 30-45 minutes before the scheduled take-off time. We got on the plane (which it is now close to 1am our time) pretty tired and looking forward to sleeping. We waited. And waited.... and nothing. I looked at the time. The scheduled take-off time had come and gone 30 minutes ago. No one was saying anything. I tried asking a flight attendant but she couldn't understand what I was asking. Another 30 minutes comes and goes... this is right before a 14-hour flight, mind you. Finally, the engine begins revving and we take-off (1.5 hours after the scheduled take-off time) with NO EXPLANATION! I mean, I get it. Things happen and safety is most important. But can you please tell me why?! All we got was, 'Thank you for your patience."
As I mentioned above the flight was overall really great. The flight attendants and I could not communicate well but we had what we needed. Another cute baby next to us, food (two meals), bathrooms, and water.
Prasansa did puke on me once. I walked to the bathroom to change clothes and had to wait about 10 minutes for whoever was in there to come out (uh oh, probably making a stinky!). I started to walk in and this man tried to cut in front of me. I gave him the glare only a mom traveling with two children and covered in baby vomit could give.
He quickly blurts out, "What are you even going in there for?" (he was looking at the clothes in my hands)
"Um. I am going to change my clothes"
"Well, I have to empty my bladder"
"Sir, I am covered in puke and I have been waiting 10 minutes to use this bathroom. Sorry but I am going in next."
I didn't want to be rude. But, really mister?
Our next layover, I felt like we were headed to a prison.
We get off the plane and first, we had to get a medical check to see if we had fevers, a passport check (complete with video screening), security check where they even patted down Jyoti and Prasansa (!!!!), then we got our passports checked (again!!). They delayed this flight as well. Once at the airport and then again on the plane.
All that security and they let us keep our waters!
After that last 5-hour plane ride, we were in Nepal finally! Two of our suitcases didn't come until the next day. They took my camera battery (claimed it was dangerous? Even though I have literally flown with it every time I fly) and broke one of our suitcases.
I know we will never fly with China Southern again. But I am so happy we made it. And I am really proud of our girls for being such troopers through it all. Also, Simon and I couldn't help but laugh through all this craziness!
Side note: I wish I videoed Jyoti getting patted down. Her face was priceless.
I will never pretend to know everything there is to know when it comes to fear, caution, and the Bible. But I am currently in a season of learning all about it. What a better time than now, to understand where we ought to stand while the world seems to be filled with two types of people: those crippled with fear and those careless and proud? (*not that those are the only types of people. But these reactions to the virus to exist and I believe I have fallen into both of those categories a few different times in the last couple of months.)
