Or I guess what I should say..is what I’ve learned from experiencing the international side of the LAX airport and flying with Fiji Airways so far…
Let’s start off with-
1. Luggage: in an attempt to save on money, buying excessively expensive shampoos and make up products in New Zealand, I stocked up half a duffel bag full of these things beforehand and planned to check them in as a second checked back. (This also had to be done because my first checked bag was most definitely close to the 50 lb cut off limit due to my horrible capabilities to ever pack “light”). Anyway, when approaching the check-in table I was greeted by a young man around my age who I could almost immediately tell was maybe a new employee or perhaps just a rebellious one. He wanted to help me out…. So he said “look…. You have enough room in the big suitcase to put more things, if you take off a couple kilos then I’ll make your second bag free of charge to be checked at the gate.” In an attempt to jump on this opportunity to save $120 I excitedly started switching things into my other bag.
Upon approaching TSA I was quickly turned away and escorted out separately from the crowd after having attempted to bring in a number if toiletries that were far too big to bring on the plane… To my dismay I realized that I should have known to add those toiletries to the first checked bag instead of the random clothes I stuffed in last minute at the check in counter…
The man at the counter was then scolded by his boss lady for having let me take that bag through without charging me the $120 in the first place. I sadly handed over my six 20s in cash and made my way back toward TSA…
Lesson Learned: There are ways out of a excess baggage charges if you are smart about it the first time! Always attempt to get it checked at the gate as long a it follows the liquid protocol 😉
2. Fiji Airways provides warm blankets and comfy pillows alongside back-of-the-chair monitors for in-flight entertainment for Free! (The LEGGO MOVIE)
Lesson Learned: Clearly bringing my tenth season of friends, Charlie’s Angel’s DVDs, and a pillow pet were just wasting space in the carry on…. -_-
3. For some reason when you request the vegetarian meal on the plane to Fiji, it is only acceptable to use microscopic spoons to eat it with.
Lesson Learned: Bring a Fork.
4. It is always a good idea to make friends on the plane. Especially with the person sitting next to you. You want them on your good side before you decide to wake them from their deep slumber because you drank way too much wine on the plane…
And you never know who you can meet traveling to new places. My flight partner for the day was on his way to a remote island off the coast of Australia where a small village of around 80 people live together inside of the jungle. They live their lives, money-free, through organized communal living. Sharing food, shelter, and love. No electricity exists where they live although they currently utilize solar panels in specific places to generate some energy.
The man I met on the plane was on his way there to help them build a road that would lead to the nearest town outside of the jungle. He has spent numerous amounts of months with these people learning how they live and discovering what he could do to help the negative aspects of their chosen lifestyle. The road to town will be an easier route to take into civilization for those that are sick and wounded living in the jungle.
Lesson Learned: We all have a story, an amazing story. And you may never know the remarkable things people do to better this world, even when they sit right beside you, unless you ask. 🙂
Upon arriving to Fiji, I, along with the rest of the passengers on the plane, we’re greeted with a loud “BULA,” (“hello” in Fijian I am assuming) alongside four Fijian men singing and playing instruments. They have continued their music throughout the remainder of my layover…quite interesting.
Next Stop: New Zealand!
Xo,
SamJoy
Joyful Thinking 