Siliconchef by Brian Richardson
September 20, 2003. 3:54PM.
Tokyo/Narita Airport, Gate 33.
It’s a good thing I like this airport, otherwise this would be a crappy layover.
I’m on my second layover of the day. Well, technically it’s been two days since I left San Francisco, but I haven’t seen the sun set yet, so I’m ignoring the legal technicality. To save $800 in travel costs, my flight from San Francisco to Taipei involves two stops, each with a long layover.
I was in Seattle for three hours, enough time to charge the laptop, check my e-mail, surf the web, and run my cell phone battery out talking to Amy. My charger is packed in checked luggage, so I couldn’t recharge to call my wife. If I find an internet access point I can send some e-mail to let her know I’m okay. She won’t read it for several hours, but it’s the thought that counts.
I don’t think I brought any yen with me. I know that Japan is not my final destination, but a few hundred yen would buy a cold beverage or a caffeine-laden cup of coffee. The long travel day is really starting to wear on me. I only slept four hours before heading to the airport, plus a few short naps on the plane. It’s not really enough to keep one totally coherent.
The airport wireless access I saw last time in the Delta terminal does not seem to exist in the United area. I’m in a different terminal, and I don’t think the airport renovations have made it this far. It would be nice to surf a bit and upload some pictures. Due to some unknown delay, my flight to Taipei has been pushed back 40 minutes.
It’s a good thing I like this airport, otherwise this would be a crappy layover.
they’re rebuilding terminal 1, but still, with some many people there, and so many signs everywhere, it’s a maze to the unprepared traveller. too bad, they don’t make transit visa’s an easy thing. layovers would be great if you have a 5-6 hour gap.
until then, having a drink maybe the best thing.
cheers.