The 12 hour flight

Day One

12:45 pm

I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. I never thought it would be possible. I really am living my best life!

Right now, I’m looking out on the wing of a 777-200 ER. It’s been a great flight so far. Smooth. Nice flight staff. And Pete even got his extra leg room! We were originally in a three person row with a person seated on the aisle. But it turns out that the flight was not at full capacity, so the flight attendant moved the person on the aisle to an empty row. Then we got the row all to ourselves! Perfect way to start off our trip 😁

That’s actually what Pete was concerned most about (but not that concerned in the grand scheme of things; “Pete concerned” which is like “eh...ok then #shrug”) Right now, he’s living the life playing video games on his new Nintendo DS and loving the spaciousness of being able to spread out and relax!

1:25 pm

First food experience aboard this 777-200 ER. In short, it was pretty good!  Much better than the disgusting half frozen half burnt pasta I remember from my first international flight to Italy in 2003.  Airplane food has come a long way since then...

Let’s break down the meal. [Yes, I actually ate it! I’ll explain]

Carbs

These are usually my staples, if I eat anything at all while traveling—which is rare. Usually I have water and a banana pre-flight and that’s it. A lifetime of severe motion-sickness will teach you quick lessons of what you should and should not do on travel days.

Of course, there were several carbs to choose from. A surprisingly soft individually sized roll of bread. Little Keebler’s Crackers and Tillamook cheedar cheese. Gingersnap-like cookies. They also provided a mini bag of some generic cheddar flavored snack mix filled with Dorito and Cheeto knock-offs. I still ate it. 

Mini salads

No that’s not a typo—plural! There were two salads!

Anyone who knows me knows I don’t often order salad. Unless it’s a *good* Caesar salad, a Greek salad, Panera’s southwest chili lime ranch chicken salad, or my mom’s romaine or bean salads (she makes a GREAT bean salad—hi mom!). But in an effort to be healthy, I gave the first one a try. It was your standard three-item salad with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers with a packet of ranch. Dairy + air travel = not good. I ended up picking it apart and just eating cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes, which were thankfully NOT as insipid as many tomatoes I’ve regretted eating over the years. 

Now, on to the second mini salad. Marinated julienned seaweed with crab. Now, I’m not sitting in first class, so this was not fresh crab meat. It was imitation crab, which apparently a lot of people like. I do not. In fact, I avoid any sushi rolls that feature crab, which unfortunately ends up limiting my sushi options. America loves imitation crab something fierce. So obviously, I didn’t eat this crab either. 

But the seaweed salad was delicious! Anyone who hasn’t tried seaweed salad really should give it a try. When it’s fresh, it’s a bitter green with a somewhat stringy consistency. Good source of fiber! With the right dressing, it’s delicious! They even provided a slice of lemon for those who want to make it more interesting 🍋 

Main Course:  Sautéed Beef with Steamed RiceMore carb options to make my motion-sickness stomach happy. Rice happens to be one of my favorite things ever. 

I didn’t even realize it until I finished half of the container of the beef and rice that the provider of this meal is Masu! (Colleen, you might remember that name. It’s that delicious pan-Asian restaurant I took you to when you visited last year.) Masu is a place Pete and I frequent when we have a craving for Asian food. It’s right in downtown Apple Valley—less than a mile from our apartment. I don’t know if it’s a nationwide chain, but it’s very popular in Minnesota. Andrightly so. It’s got an incredible menu of ramen, sushi, noodle and rice dishes.  If you ever come to visit me and you like Asian food, I might take you there!

Back to my Masu-made entree:

Flavor? A soy sauce-based marinade. Complex and on point. Not too salty. 

Texture? The beef used was surprisingly a good cut. Maybe a smidge over done, but again, it’s airplane food. Better it’s cooked through than raw...!  Not even the least bit fatty either. Perfect for me. 

Temperature? Hot, but not too hot. Right on.

Rice? Sticky. Just like it’s supposed to be. 

The only thing this meal was missing was a set of chopsticks 🥢 😉

Don’t worry, I will write about things other than food. But considering all of you reading actually know me, you already know.  😉

Plus, the best way to get to know and learn about a new culture is through their food. 

6:24 pm

What??? A Dove Magnum ice cream bar for a mid-flight snack. Delta, I respect your game. 

I don’t even care that I’m not supposed to have dairy during air travel

6:45 pm

One of the highlights of the flight so far has been seeing Alaska’s coastline and its archipelago. No need to take that Alaskan cruise now. I got the highlights from my window seat. Gorgeous snow-capped mountains flanking crisp blue water along winding coastlines. Interesting land formations. Lots of large swirl shaped in view from up here. Not sure what they are, but they are pretty. Very little civilization that I could make out from 36,000 feet, but I did see lots of cruise ships.  It’s nice to see so much of it untouched and preserved. For now, anyways. Much more green than I was expecting. Thanks, global warming.

7:03 pm 

Well, there’s no mistaking it. Out my window,  I see land in the distance. And since I’m on the right side of the plane and I am tracking my flight, I know what country that is. 

Russia.

Chilling. 

This is about as close as I ever want to be, thank you very much. 

7:29

Delta, you feed us too much food. We are on a plane for 12 hours and we get two full entrees, and three separate snack times. And each snack has at least two items. How do people eat all this stuff? Americans. 😏

8:41 pm

Listening to the entire Hamilton album because.....well, let’s be honest, no one really needs a because. I breathe; therefore, I listen to Hamilton.

The soundtrack is bringing back memories of one amazing trip with Pete in May, 2016. I have a feeling it might be topped....but it’s really not a contest. I love the experiences travel give me. Every one is unique and meaningful. Seriously though, that trip to NYC will always have a special place in my heart because Pete gifted to me.

—insert “aww” sound here—

9:02 pm

Well, it’s official. This is officially the longest flight I’ve ever been on.

And I still have 2.5 hours to go 😏

But don’t worry—I’m doing well! Getting up lots and doing all my stretches (thanks, Dad!)

9:35 pm

Wow. I’m writing a lot. This is a long flight!! lol

10:29 pm

Breakfast at 10:29 pm. How adventurous! Too much food. Just had the fruit (kiwi, pineapple and grapes), a few bites of the omelette, and a few bites of this potato thing. 

Gave the rest to Pete. 

Pete gave me his Hershey bar. Yes, they gave us a mini Hershey bar to go with our breakfast. I’m not asking questions. Just accepting the fact that I now have two mini Hershey bars for later.

10:44 pm

Less than an hour and I’ll have landed in Japan. What is my life?? Fucking awesome, is what it is. 

I’m so ready for it. Ready for another incredible adventure with Pete by my side 💖

Landing

Beef products including beef jerky are illegal to bring into Asian countries. Sorry, Zach.