The Next Adventure
On the train from Pennsylvania to NYC
Made it through the 19+ hour flight. The longest nonstop flight in the world.
“It’s the journey, not the destination.” Said no one ever, who was on a plane for that long.
It actually wasn’t too bad bc they just kept feeding us and then opened all of our beds, like children, and told us we were better off sleeping as much as possible.
Sign me up!
Shout out to the flight attendants who have to wear a corset for the 19 hour flight.
I wasn’t sure if they had loaded my baggage on the plane (still not sure, but they told me it’s already in Bali, which I don’t like either lol) and my friend said, “Would you rather wear a corset for 19 hours or lose your luggage?”
I admitted I’d rather lose my luggage.
I was slightly alarmed when I saw our proposed flight plan was up over the arctic and down over Russian and Chinese airspace, but they routed us over Japan instead. I tried to look for the Aurora over northern Canada, but couldn’t see much.
I’m now stuck here in the lounge for ten hours (6 more to go), waiting on a 2.5 hour flight, looking generally bewildered bc I don’t know what day it is and finally cracked open a free beer in the lounge, before I realized its 10am.
I don’t even feel like drinking…I’m just bored, and it encourages me to talk to random strangers, which makes the time pass.
There are zero alcohol etiquette rules in airports, regarding what time is appropriate to drink. I see at least 6 Brits of varying ages/stations, with open beers around me lol.
Too stimulated by new surroundings to read anymore after being locked in a tin can for a day, I’m just people watching, with my three beverages…coffee, water with liquid IV, and a Tiger beer.
I look like I’m about to hike the PCT in my Merrill hiking shoes (which are heavy af) and 30 lbs backpack. With this haircut, I look like a bootleg version of Reese Witherspoon in “Wild.”
Still seems unreal that I’ll be sleeping in a villa in Bali by the end of the day, but that’s what the ticket says
About the Author
Keri Tietjen Smith is an Applied Psychology Practitioner, talent strategist, and writer focused on the future of work, reinvention, and human systems. Her work blends psychology, culture, and storytelling to help people navigate complex transitions in careers, identity, and modern life.
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