Jet lag seems to be a major challenge for most people but as long as I have been travelling and working in Asia I don't seem to have a problem with it travelling either way. There were times when I got off the plane and was in a school giving a workshop within two hours.
Similarly coming home to Canada I immediately spend time with family at dinner or breakfast or whenever I happen to arrive in Canada
Similarly coming home to Canada I immediately spend time with family at dinner or breakfast or whenever I happen to arrive in Canada
Why? That is a good question and I think I at least have a partial answer. I do not wear a watch ever, either at school or at home. When the bell rings, like a trained seal I simply go to the next class. On the plane, even though I generally have to change planes at least three times, I often do not know what time it is or even what airport I am in. I simply get off the plane, trudge with the next person to the the transit area and do the normal stuff like taking out my computer from the bag and taking off my belt. I do not know what time it is or even the day. I just know I am heading to the next plane wherever they tell me to go.
ON the plane, I eat when they bring food, watch movies and walk up and down the plane for hours. There are usually other old guys like me in the galley chatting up the stewards on the plane and gaining valuable information. For example, on my way to Singapore I found an apartment to rent from having a conversation with the steward. Don't forget , they are as bored as the passengers and when they are not serving food are anxious to chat.
I think of the trip as one long cocktail party. I get a chance to meet so many people form all walks of life and have great snacks and drinks. By the way, I do not drink alcohol any time but especially not on a plane because it tends to dehydrate you I have read.
I guess what I am saying is have fun on the plane, talk to everyone and enjoy the company. They will be as anxious to talk to you as you them, although it is not advisable to wake up your seat partner to start a conversation!
I think of the trip as one long cocktail party. I get a chance to meet so many people form all walks of life and have great snacks and drinks. By the way, I do not drink alcohol any time but especially not on a plane because it tends to dehydrate you I have read.
I guess what I am saying is have fun on the plane, talk to everyone and enjoy the company. They will be as anxious to talk to you as you them, although it is not advisable to wake up your seat partner to start a conversation!
One word of caution. I wanted to change my ticket but I was told over the phone by the airline that I had to go through my travel agent where I bought the ticket. When I called them they told me it would cost about $800 to change the flight.
When I got to Bangkok, I went to the airline office and when they told me again I had to go through my agent I just smiled and asked them to "work with me on this one" This line always seems to work and two hours later was walking out with a changed and better ticket for $60 and a flight that only took about 20 hours s opposed to the one closer to thirty hours.
Moral of the story? Book through the internet and not a travel agent. Much easier if you want to change the ticket later which you will invariably do.
When I got to Bangkok, I went to the airline office and when they told me again I had to go through my agent I just smiled and asked them to "work with me on this one" This line always seems to work and two hours later was walking out with a changed and better ticket for $60 and a flight that only took about 20 hours s opposed to the one closer to thirty hours.
Moral of the story? Book through the internet and not a travel agent. Much easier if you want to change the ticket later which you will invariably do.
Enjoy your colleagues!
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