Bring a book...because the Kunming airport in China does not have wifi for travelers without a Chinese cell phone carrier.
I'm sitting in the Kunming airport, on hour 6 of my 14-hour layover, waiting for the international check-in counter to open. I made the mistake of going to the domestic check-in counter, which opened at 5am.
After letting the woman at the counter know that I don't speak Chinese, she directed me to Area H: International check-ins. This process has become all to familiar to me...letting the man or woman know that I cannot understand them because I do not speak Chinese, them taking a look at whatever paperwork or documentation I give them, and then letting me know that I'm not in the right place.
For all of the English translated signage, arrows, and directions, navigating foreign airports is very frustrating and difficult. I was confused as to why it was so difficult at first, since I've been to many different airports before and not gotten so lost, but then I remembered that this is my first solo international flight.
The pattern is long-winded and tiring at times, but I've become used to it. It's just a case of going through the motions, just as long as I get to where I need to be on time. Still, it's stressful always second guessing myself and the people who give me directions in broken English.
I've been trying to fall asleep on this wooden bench, but with little success. Instead, after starting and finishing a novel, I entertain myself by people-watching and trying to guess where everyone is headed. I would love to explore this enormous airport, but I'm weighed down by three bags and exhaustion.
It hasn't really settled in that I'm going to be in Nepal in now about 11 hours. It feels like I'm just going through airports and flights with no real purpose. I can't wait to finally reach Kathmandu and settle down. Maybe then I'll realize where I am.
Samantha Yu, undergraduate student, Environmental Science & Management, UC Davis
I'm sitting in the Kunming airport, on hour 6 of my 14-hour layover, waiting for the international check-in counter to open. I made the mistake of going to the domestic check-in counter, which opened at 5am.
After letting the woman at the counter know that I don't speak Chinese, she directed me to Area H: International check-ins. This process has become all to familiar to me...letting the man or woman know that I cannot understand them because I do not speak Chinese, them taking a look at whatever paperwork or documentation I give them, and then letting me know that I'm not in the right place.
For all of the English translated signage, arrows, and directions, navigating foreign airports is very frustrating and difficult. I was confused as to why it was so difficult at first, since I've been to many different airports before and not gotten so lost, but then I remembered that this is my first solo international flight.
The pattern is long-winded and tiring at times, but I've become used to it. It's just a case of going through the motions, just as long as I get to where I need to be on time. Still, it's stressful always second guessing myself and the people who give me directions in broken English.
I've been trying to fall asleep on this wooden bench, but with little success. Instead, after starting and finishing a novel, I entertain myself by people-watching and trying to guess where everyone is headed. I would love to explore this enormous airport, but I'm weighed down by three bags and exhaustion.
It hasn't really settled in that I'm going to be in Nepal in now about 11 hours. It feels like I'm just going through airports and flights with no real purpose. I can't wait to finally reach Kathmandu and settle down. Maybe then I'll realize where I am.
Samantha Yu, undergraduate student, Environmental Science & Management, UC Davis
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