Dear HOB,
How is it possible to sleep for 16 hours straight, waking up for meals and then instantly–poof!– back to slumber? It is a cruel time to desert me, your insomniac wife who suffers from fear of flying. Here I am, wearing knee high compression socks and watching an insufferable movie about wedding dates. My dignity is long gone, my clothes are already stained and I don’t smell so fresh.
Thank goodness for Cathay Pacific, which has now moved to my coveted #1 spot in my airline ranking (sorry Lufthansa!). Not only does the airline manage to have moderately comfortable economy seats but get this—they offer free snacks! Yes, while your spouse is winning the Olympics of sleeping, you can hustle your numb butt over to the service area for instant noodles, fruit or peanuts. (Let’s not tell anyone about how I accidentally started to take one of the sandwiches that were intended just for the flight attendants and was rebuffed).
Most of all it is just so weird, brooding among the flickering maps on the seat backs, somewhere over Asia, to be blocked out from news. When we left O’Hare airport my countrie’s political situation was starting to resemble a dystopian novel. I worry, once I finally connect to WiFi, will city centers around the country have erected spray painted gold statues of Trump? Will there be an executive order to address him as Dear Leader?
HOB, you are finally starting to wake up, cranky and looking for coffee. I promise not to give you a hard time about your sleep marathon if you pretend not to notice how long it’s been since I last brushed my teeth.
Your most charming wife,
W.O.B.
How we got to 36,000 feet above sea level: flight on Cathay Pacific.
Where we slept: row 45 and seats B & C. Price: $714.68 for 17 x 31″ of space, includes a second flight from Hong Kong to Taipei. Recommended: yes
Picnic at the Cathedral 
The news is dismal but also invigorating. But you got away from it for awhile, and with legroom to boot! Such a deal! My dear husband also sleeps, infuriatingly, anytime and anywhere. As for me, I just bought a homeopathic product called Bach Original Flower Remedies Rescue Sleep Liquid Melts. Haven’t tried them yet. Happy travels!
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Thank you Claudia, this should be a fun one.
My friends are out there protesting, writing postcards and crashing phone lines with all their protest calls. I’m so proud of them and feeling a bit guilty for not being there.
Seriously, what is the deal with people who can sleep like that? Good luck with the Bach Remedy!
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Weirdly, long haul flights are the one setting I consistently can sleep – I think it’s mostly that Dramamine makes me very, very drowsy. That said, current US politics seems like enough to keep anyone from ever sleeping again…
Hope you enjoy a good break from being in the middle of it!
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Dramamine? I’ll try it. Thanks for the tip!
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Congratulations on surviving that light in economy! It’s been years since I did that long flight without burning FF miles for business class. Night and day, believe me. Qantas even gave out PJs (flight from BKK to LHR) – I slept after dinner all the way to breakfast and I never sleep in economy.
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OMG I would totally sneak a picture of all those people wearing neck pillows and matching PJs!
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No, no – no neck pillows. The seats were lie flat – we each had a little cocoon with a just big enough “bed”, a pillow and a blanket. Well worth the FF miles.
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Sounds like an exciting trip is in store. I hope you have a great time and look forward to reading about it. Enjoy your news blackout whilst you can, we all need to take a break from reality some times, even more so when reality is so unreal!
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Thank you! I just keep worrying that all these nice Taiwanese people will think I’m some xenophobic Trump fan.
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Don’t worry, I think the fact that you are visiting their country and are interested in their culture is a clear indicator to the contrary! 🙂
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Funny! The flight will be worth it though, Taipei is one of the best cities in the world. Have a great trip, look forward to reading about it.
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Your Taiwan posts were making me salivate. Now I want to go to Laos too.
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I agree, those that can doze away the interminable hours are just cruel… It takes me a few days on arrival to start to be functional again after the New Zealand to Europe 27 hour endurance test.
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I have to go straight to work on my day back and help manage a dance event. I’m sure I’ll be quite fresh that day!
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So annoying – I rarely sleep on planes.
While my wife isn’t the best plane sleeper, my eldest daughter is one of those who gets on the plane and goes straight off to sleep – very annoying!
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We got settled in our hostel about 4 am last night and of course he’s asleep while I’m watching–SO ANNOYING!
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Oooh! What fun! (well – not the flight – it sucks to be on an airplane that long) Can’t wait for your posts!
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Thanks Tricia, we’re on our way to my sister in law’s hometown today and I’m especially excited about that.
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Oh, you are just over there!
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In Taiwan right now!
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Cathay pacific is indeed a great way to fly. Transiting through Hong kong airport is pretty cool.
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Hong Kong airport is the best! They have art exhibits and even free hot water stations!!
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Great. I did not know this. Rivals singapore as one of the best in the world!
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I too share your envy for those who are able to slumber while we suffer with staring at the time remaining on the flight! haha
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My husband falls asleep on buses and trains too! The envy is one thing, but I’m afraid I have to admit to bouts of rage too…..
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