vietnam trip 2012 - part 3 - airports

we had anticipated our first flight to be 16 hours, but it ended up being about 17 hours. two 20-minute delays at the start. i like to think it was that group of friends who basically stumbled their way in late and last, who really can't figure out how to fit their carry-on in the carry-on compartments. we move one of our pieces down to to help make it easier. the husband thinks that it's mostly because of transporting the checked baggage. still, i raise my fist at frilly customers who end up sitting behind me and putting their stinky foot on my arm rest. it wasn't stinky, but she sure got told.

we spent our time watching movies and sleeping. in total, we watched 4 movies. we tried to sync to watch the first movie together, which was kinda funny. i had bought some magazines just before leaving, but ended up reading them very little. i realize that perhaps i won't bring the magazines and book on the backpacking trip as i have so much stuff in my bag already.

obviously, our delay for our next flight which should have happened 45 minutes after we landed. wheel-chaired folks caused a mini-mass confusion where while we were delayed for an hour, people started lining up early. while i had already anticipated that we would have had to wait for an extra hour in the plane, we actually waited an extra hour in the area before the plane. we really could have enjoyed the airport by shopping before we "entered" the gate.

we finally make it to Vietnam and we get escorted by this "agent" to help us get through the entry gate faster. while i had no problem getting in in the past on my own, it seemed imperative and the only natural way for the husband's family to get through easily. the concept eludes me.

we get in and i realized that the whole airport was renovated. of course, we were late and it took forever for us to get our luggage, two of which were lost for a day. while the men wait for them, i'm taking out the items we need for our backpacking from our baggage exchanging them for items that we don't need, like the husbands shoes, etc.

leaving the airport, we're greeted by a few hundred people receiving family and friends outside. it was definitely overwhelming for me since previously i'd only arrived in the city in the evening. there were usually very few people. we see the husband's family's, and immediately rush to the side to wait for our ride. the husband's family is very excited to see us, especially his younger cousins who greet me as Chi., honorific for older sister.