 | Where I Document our Trip, Door to Door. |
We decided to go to Vienna for Christmas this year because it’s midway between where half our family is (Hong Kong) and the other half (New York City). Also, I love Vienna and have only been able to take one family member, my daughter, there. Time to take everybody, and experience that Viennese magic at Christmas!
Getting from Hong Kong to Vienna is not easy, because Vienna is a little out of the way. All options included about 24 hours of total travel time, so we chose the option with the longest layover (8 hours in Doha) so that we could spend the time on the ground instead of in the air. Here goes!
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
3:45 p.m. Leave the Hong Kong apartment, wearing summer clothing and carrying winter coats
4:00 p.m. Board bus for airport
4:30 Arrive at airport, check in, buy mosquito salve. I’ve unwillingly collected mosquito bites as souvenirs since June, because we’ve been solely in hot humid climates. I carried Omaha bites to Spain. Malaysian bites to Hong Kong, Now I’ll have Hong Kong bites in Austria.
5:15 p.m. Use Sam’s mileage to get into The Cabin lounge, which is like a living room but better because there’s much better service than in my living room. Comfy couches, great food, nice service.
Getting from Hong Kong to Vienna is not easy, because Vienna is a little out of the way. All options included about 24 hours of total travel time, so we chose the option with the longest layover (8 hours in Doha) so that we could spend the time on the ground instead of in the air. Here goes!
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
3:45 p.m. Leave the Hong Kong apartment, wearing summer clothing and carrying winter coats
4:00 p.m. Board bus for airport
4:30 Arrive at airport, check in, buy mosquito salve. I’ve unwillingly collected mosquito bites as souvenirs since June, because we’ve been solely in hot humid climates. I carried Omaha bites to Spain. Malaysian bites to Hong Kong, Now I’ll have Hong Kong bites in Austria.
5:15 p.m. Use Sam’s mileage to get into The Cabin lounge, which is like a living room but better because there’s much better service than in my living room. Comfy couches, great food, nice service.
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I plan to eat healthy and drink lots of water on this trip because I don’t want to arrive in Vienna looking like a hungover beluga whale. Which has happened before.
6:00 p.m. Boarding. Qatar Air, which I’ve never flown before, is nice! Plenty of overhead space, and the flight might not be full so maybe I can spread out away from my loved ones.
6:00 p.m. Boarding. Qatar Air, which I’ve never flown before, is nice! Plenty of overhead space, and the flight might not be full so maybe I can spread out away from my loved ones.
6:15 p.m. Yes! I got my own row! It only has two seats and it’s next to the bathroom, but I’ll take it.
Flight attendants (hereafter referred to as FAs) brought free headphones, goody bag with socks, eye shade, ear plugs, tiny toothbrush and toothpaste. Nice, but I won’t use any of that stuff but the headphones. I don’t like to be unaware of my surroundings, I like my own toothpaste, and I’m already wearing socks. They also brought a moist towelette. But thanks, Qatar! Step it up, United.
6:25 Safety announcement is really cute. They use soccer players. I supposed they are famous because they look supremely confident and extremely handsome. The soccer players put on life jackets. When they talk about oxygen masks, the masks drop over a crowd of screaming women greeting the soccer players at the airport. They demonstrate brace positions with a goalie kicking the ball toward a row of airline seats (he goes over their heads, don’t worry). Adorable. Probably more adorable if you know who those players are.
7:00 p.m. Late for take off due to airport conditions. FAs brought water. Lots of movies! I picked The Duchess because it stars Voldemort and promises gloom and despair. I love gloom and despair!
7:20 p.m. Take off. Turbulence!
8:20 p.m. Dinner--roast beef, mashed potatoes, veggies, tofu appetizer, roll, butter, cheese, Mars bar, chocolate cake, red wine. In a show of supreme health consciousness, I do not eat the chocolate cake. Also, it tasted funny.
Flight attendants (hereafter referred to as FAs) brought free headphones, goody bag with socks, eye shade, ear plugs, tiny toothbrush and toothpaste. Nice, but I won’t use any of that stuff but the headphones. I don’t like to be unaware of my surroundings, I like my own toothpaste, and I’m already wearing socks. They also brought a moist towelette. But thanks, Qatar! Step it up, United.
6:25 Safety announcement is really cute. They use soccer players. I supposed they are famous because they look supremely confident and extremely handsome. The soccer players put on life jackets. When they talk about oxygen masks, the masks drop over a crowd of screaming women greeting the soccer players at the airport. They demonstrate brace positions with a goalie kicking the ball toward a row of airline seats (he goes over their heads, don’t worry). Adorable. Probably more adorable if you know who those players are.
7:00 p.m. Late for take off due to airport conditions. FAs brought water. Lots of movies! I picked The Duchess because it stars Voldemort and promises gloom and despair. I love gloom and despair!
7:20 p.m. Take off. Turbulence!
8:20 p.m. Dinner--roast beef, mashed potatoes, veggies, tofu appetizer, roll, butter, cheese, Mars bar, chocolate cake, red wine. In a show of supreme health consciousness, I do not eat the chocolate cake. Also, it tasted funny.
9 p.m. The Duchess was a good flick, with the aforementioned gloom and despair. Voldemort was a terrible husband. Still having turbulence. Announcements to take your seats are less alarming that on the Chinese airlines I’ve flown recently. These FAs seem pretty casual about it.
9:05 p.m. Lots of Bollywood and Arabic movies and TV shows. I could only watch them ironically, so I chose Miss Congeniality. I only like gloom and despair in measured amounts.
I think we’re over Vietnam.
9:20 p.m. We’re over Mandalay. Who knows the song? Please answer in comment section if you do.
10:30 p.m. The Hong Kong mosquito bites are really itchy. I keep applying the medicine but it wears off fast and I smell like the physical therapy room at Sunny View Retirement Home. Those bug bites should have cleared up by now, but they’re not. They can’t be Zika. If it was Zika, I’d be sick by now, right? I can’t use my phone to google it so I can’t find out till Doha. Must do that.
Watching Miss Congeniality. I was once Miss Congeniality! When I was about 6, our town celebrated its sesquicentennial--150 years. Everybody wore pioneer clothes, the men grew beards, there were contests and shows and get-togethers on the Square, and a pageant. I was shoved onstage with all the other 6-year-olds who somehow knew you were supposed to walk to the front of the stage in a line for the viewing, and I started walking offstage. They made us all start over. Just for me. Before they even started announcing the winners, they gave me the Miss Congeniality award. I knew what that meant--it meant You’re Not the Prettiest. However, it was really true. I’m really a very nice person, not the prettiest. I’m ok. But in all fairness they should have given us a rehearsal on that walking thing. One does not forget.
Here’s a funny thing about Qatar Air’s movie censorship. Remember when Sandra Bullock gives the personal safety demonstration as her talent in Miss Congeniality? She spells it out S-I-N-G (Solar plexus, Instep, Nose, Groin) for where you hit Benjamin Bratt when he attacks you. But, in the censored version, they cut the Groin part, so it was just SIN. Hahahahaha!
9:05 p.m. Lots of Bollywood and Arabic movies and TV shows. I could only watch them ironically, so I chose Miss Congeniality. I only like gloom and despair in measured amounts.
I think we’re over Vietnam.
9:20 p.m. We’re over Mandalay. Who knows the song? Please answer in comment section if you do.
10:30 p.m. The Hong Kong mosquito bites are really itchy. I keep applying the medicine but it wears off fast and I smell like the physical therapy room at Sunny View Retirement Home. Those bug bites should have cleared up by now, but they’re not. They can’t be Zika. If it was Zika, I’d be sick by now, right? I can’t use my phone to google it so I can’t find out till Doha. Must do that.
Watching Miss Congeniality. I was once Miss Congeniality! When I was about 6, our town celebrated its sesquicentennial--150 years. Everybody wore pioneer clothes, the men grew beards, there were contests and shows and get-togethers on the Square, and a pageant. I was shoved onstage with all the other 6-year-olds who somehow knew you were supposed to walk to the front of the stage in a line for the viewing, and I started walking offstage. They made us all start over. Just for me. Before they even started announcing the winners, they gave me the Miss Congeniality award. I knew what that meant--it meant You’re Not the Prettiest. However, it was really true. I’m really a very nice person, not the prettiest. I’m ok. But in all fairness they should have given us a rehearsal on that walking thing. One does not forget.
Here’s a funny thing about Qatar Air’s movie censorship. Remember when Sandra Bullock gives the personal safety demonstration as her talent in Miss Congeniality? She spells it out S-I-N-G (Solar plexus, Instep, Nose, Groin) for where you hit Benjamin Bratt when he attacks you. But, in the censored version, they cut the Groin part, so it was just SIN. Hahahahaha!
| 10:45 p.m. FAs brought water. Not getting dehydrated is actually happening. 1:20 a.m. Tried to sleep. Couldn’t. Watching a German movie about a depressed woman. After many awful things happen to her, she gets better slowly. Listening to iPod. We’re over Abu Dhabi. Hi, Jan and Steve! 2:30 am. Watching the map. Aleppo just came in view. God help those people. 5:45 a.m. Hong Kong time, switching to Doha time so it’s now 12:45 a.m. We landed, turbulent flight but uneventful. Slightly nauseous. |  |
I had booked us into the Al Maha lounge because we have a layover from now until 7 a.m. Now we’re in the lounge, but it’s not quite as nice as The Cabin in Hong Kong. It’s set up like a dining room, not a living room, so the chairs are bony. No couches. The food is good, with a small buffet and drinks. Not sure if I should drink wine or coffee, because is it midnight or 6 a.m.?
| Hard to sleep here. Unless you’re Sam. |  |
 | However, there is a lovely shower! Good water pressure, huge white towel, aromatic goodies to slather all over. I even brushed my teeth. I feel like a new woman. |
So far, the biggest perk of being in a Middle Eastern airport (besides the hospitality--everyone is so nice, very gentle and helpful) is that there is no Christmas music! Now, I”m all for Christmas--baby Jesus, joy to the world, peace on earth--but as a musician this is the absolute worst season of the year. The done-to-death standards, the reworkings that should never happen, the lyrics that are just wrong. Santa Baby? I know she’s just trying to get more presents, but the seductive way she’s singing is going to give Santa a heart attack. He’s already like 600 years old, he’s a good 50 pounds overweight, and those rosy cheeks tell me his high blood pressure’s through the roof. Easy, woman, just mail him a list like everybody else. And, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus? If the parents want to do a little role-playing that’s fine, but timing and location are critical--you’ve picked the one night of the year when the kids are too keyed up to sleep. You’re going to have an audience if you carry this one through in the living room. At least give the kiddos some Benadryl--it’s cheaper than that therapy you’re going to have to pay for if you traumatize the little tykes with your dress-up game.
2:30 a.m.The lounge has lost its charm, not because there’s anything wrong with it but because my bedtime was nine hours ago and my head keeps rolling sideways. Sam says we should have chosen the longer flight because you can sleep better on a plane then in this lounge. Filled with doubt.
Families come through the lounge for an hour or so, usually with toddlers. The kids see there are high ceilings, tile floor, hard chairs, and commence screaming. Can’t blame them. I feel like lying on the floor and crying, myself. At least my kid is quiet. The Wifi sucks so he’s listlessly poking around on the internet, waiting for something to load.
2:30 a.m.The lounge has lost its charm, not because there’s anything wrong with it but because my bedtime was nine hours ago and my head keeps rolling sideways. Sam says we should have chosen the longer flight because you can sleep better on a plane then in this lounge. Filled with doubt.
Families come through the lounge for an hour or so, usually with toddlers. The kids see there are high ceilings, tile floor, hard chairs, and commence screaming. Can’t blame them. I feel like lying on the floor and crying, myself. At least my kid is quiet. The Wifi sucks so he’s listlessly poking around on the internet, waiting for something to load.
 Sam has switched positions. |  Cappuccino and yogurt. |
3:25 a.m. This lounge has two Family Rooms. They are glass-walled rooms, partitioned off from the main area, with a couch, TV, and chairs. Even though there are tons of kids milling around, crying and falling, each family room couch is occupied by a loudly snoring elderly gentleman. They snore louder than Sam.
There are also two guys who put their low-backed, armless chairs against the wall, drape their jackets over their faces, lean their heads on the wall, stretch out their legs, and kiss today goodbye.
There is a smoking room in this lounge! I haven’t seen indoor smoking since 1996.
4:20 a.m. Went for a walk around the terminal. They have every luxury brand you can think of, and more that you’ve never heard of. They stay open 24/7 because Doha is a big transit hub. Nice chat with the Tiffany’s sales lady. She’s from China. The Bandgladeshi janitor said most workers here are from Asia, because the Qataris are so rich they just eat, sleep, and play. Like otters.
Discovered the Quiet Room. It’s in the terminal, free, and has rows and rows of lounge chairs, S-shaped so you can only sleep on your back. It looks convenient, but smelled like a locker room. Must think about that for the return trip.
There are also two guys who put their low-backed, armless chairs against the wall, drape their jackets over their faces, lean their heads on the wall, stretch out their legs, and kiss today goodbye.
There is a smoking room in this lounge! I haven’t seen indoor smoking since 1996.
4:20 a.m. Went for a walk around the terminal. They have every luxury brand you can think of, and more that you’ve never heard of. They stay open 24/7 because Doha is a big transit hub. Nice chat with the Tiffany’s sales lady. She’s from China. The Bandgladeshi janitor said most workers here are from Asia, because the Qataris are so rich they just eat, sleep, and play. Like otters.
Discovered the Quiet Room. It’s in the terminal, free, and has rows and rows of lounge chairs, S-shaped so you can only sleep on your back. It looks convenient, but smelled like a locker room. Must think about that for the return trip.
 |  |
My body has decided to wake up, since it’s still on Hong Kong time. The lounge is putting out breakfast. I’m on my third coffee. That might be why I’m waking up, too.
4:45 a.m. Chocolate muffin, cappuccino.
Sam moved again. When he switched chairs, he confessed that he took Benadryl. No wonder!
4:45 a.m. Chocolate muffin, cappuccino.
Sam moved again. When he switched chairs, he confessed that he took Benadryl. No wonder!
5:15 a.m. Breakfast. The brown stuff is lentil mush, delicious. You sprinkle toppings on, like savory warm froyo.
7:15 On board the plan for Vienna. People are speaking German, sometimes even to me! I answered, nobody got upset, so I guess I did it right. Here’s hoping my German mojo comes back. It’s been a while, but I’ve been pretty faithful with my Duolinguo app for a couple of weeks.
8 a.m., Doha time, switching to Vienna time so it’s 6 a.m.
Our plane is flying between Iran and Iraq, and will pass within a few miles of Aleppo. My heart breaks for the people 40,000 below us, the civilians who are desperate. We get to go on this wonderful trip because we have time, because we sold our ridiculously overpriced ranch house in California, and because we have steady income from rental properties. We can buy an airline ticket, fill out some paperwork, and be welcomed in almost any country in the world. In Vienna today, we’ll breath the same air as refugees who dragged themselves there in hope of simply living on. God help us all.
8 a.m., Doha time, switching to Vienna time so it’s 6 a.m.
Our plane is flying between Iran and Iraq, and will pass within a few miles of Aleppo. My heart breaks for the people 40,000 below us, the civilians who are desperate. We get to go on this wonderful trip because we have time, because we sold our ridiculously overpriced ranch house in California, and because we have steady income from rental properties. We can buy an airline ticket, fill out some paperwork, and be welcomed in almost any country in the world. In Vienna today, we’ll breath the same air as refugees who dragged themselves there in hope of simply living on. God help us all.
7 a.m. Breakfast. Omelette and other stuff. Picked at it, picked off my family’s trays, gave most of it back to the FA. Airline food loses its appeal after a few meals.
9:10 a.m. Surreal. I was flipping through the Duty Free magazine, disappointed that they don’t have the Clinique moisturizure I’m almost out of, when I remembered Aleppo down below, and those moms in their bombed out houses who haven’t seen cosmetics in four years. Or a lot of other stuff. Like clean water and electricity and ceilings and sweet dreamless sleep.
9:10 a.m. Surreal. I was flipping through the Duty Free magazine, disappointed that they don’t have the Clinique moisturizure I’m almost out of, when I remembered Aleppo down below, and those moms in their bombed out houses who haven’t seen cosmetics in four years. Or a lot of other stuff. Like clean water and electricity and ceilings and sweet dreamless sleep.
| Northern Iraq. Aleppo is a few miles over these lovely mountains. |  |
11:10 a.m. Descending. The weather is overcast and cold, but dry.
12 p.m. We landed, waltzed through customs and immigration, retrieved our luggage, put on our winter clothes, and found the car I had reserved to take us to our lodgings.
Now we are snug in our rooms, resting up before we go find some Chinese food for lunch. I am so happy to be here in this beautiful city, and so grateful to have this chance. I’m even more grateful after having flown over such a troubled area. My journey, full of warm clothes, good food, comfortable chairs, and complaints about turbulence, was really a piece of cake. I only had to walk a few steps, the immigration officer smiled and welcomed me, and there was a car and comfortable room waiting for me.
I can’t solve Aleppo’s problems, I can’t do much of anything, except pray and give money. So that’s what I’ll do. Here’s a link to our California church’s World Vision link, if you’d like to help out.
Thanks for reading, and Merry Christmas!
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NEXT: Vienna's Christmas Markets--Should You Go?
12 p.m. We landed, waltzed through customs and immigration, retrieved our luggage, put on our winter clothes, and found the car I had reserved to take us to our lodgings.
Now we are snug in our rooms, resting up before we go find some Chinese food for lunch. I am so happy to be here in this beautiful city, and so grateful to have this chance. I’m even more grateful after having flown over such a troubled area. My journey, full of warm clothes, good food, comfortable chairs, and complaints about turbulence, was really a piece of cake. I only had to walk a few steps, the immigration officer smiled and welcomed me, and there was a car and comfortable room waiting for me.
I can’t solve Aleppo’s problems, I can’t do much of anything, except pray and give money. So that’s what I’ll do. Here’s a link to our California church’s World Vision link, if you’d like to help out.
Thanks for reading, and Merry Christmas!
PREVIOUS: Introvert's Guide to Meeting People on the Road
NEXT: Vienna's Christmas Markets--Should You Go?