So I’m back in Winnipeg for a week for Christmas. Such a long way for such a short time, right? I suppose, but I realize I haven’t been back for Christmas for years, about five or so, since before I originally went to China. And since then, in the university job I had, we always worked right through the Western Christmas break. This is the first year I’ve had a job where the work load decreases and I’m able to easily book time off to come home for a week. Other than the the problems with jet lag, one week isn’t uncommon in terms of vacation time. People fly to their vacation destinations for a week or less, though often to warmer climes and marginally outside of their usual time zone.
There was a twofold reason for coming back, the first being that I hadn’t been back for Christmas in a while, but the other reason is that I had booked a round-trip ticket and it was there to use. You’ll recall that earlier in the year I was supposed to go down to the States for a few weeks, which never happened, which meant I needed to fly out of Winnipeg instead of out of LA. This next time I leave Winnipeg, however, will be on a one way ticket so I might not be back for another few months.
The flights from Beijing to Winnipeg were rather uneventful, the way it should be. I don’t know why I chose the window seat on the flight from PEK to YVR as it was an evening flight and you can’t see very much. One of the inflight magazines mentioned that we would be able to see the Northern Lights, but I didn’t see any. It did look as though the flight was only partially full and that I might been able to ask for a seat at the end of the plane but with a little more room. Oh well. I ended up sleeping most of the flight anyway.
That’s not to say I didn’t try to work, but I suspect the economy seating for international flights is smaller than that of domestic flights because when I tried to set up my laptop (complete with external hard drive), it was a no-go. That’s when I decided to have a bottle of wine instead, and that led nowhere productive. So it was a ten hour flight of nothingness, except taking pictures and bathroom runs. I guess I could’ve sorted pictures or something.
Is it worth it to upgrade to business yet?
Once in Vancouver, I made my typical stop at Tim Hortons and grabbed a coffee. I landed at about 12:30 pm which meant I still had a full day ahead of me. I couldn’t sleep now or else I wouldn’t be able to sleep once I actually got into Winnipeg. Instead, I did end up sorting my photos while waiting for my brother and his wife to show up and introduce me to their first born, and our family’s first boy.
And what does a visit with a month-old baby go like? Well, when he was awake, he cried. Then his Mom fed him, then he went to sleep. And he was quiet. He’d open his eyes every now and then for a peek, probably to check if food was on offer and, seeing only a scruffy beard (and probably smelling someone else other than Mommy), closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Almost like an international flight.
Then it was through security again to wait for my flight to Winnipeg.
The flight to Winnipeg, however, was full, and I had trouble finding a place for my two pieces of carry on (one carry on and one personal item). Then, someone sat in my assigned but, instead of moving and shuffling about, I just sat in his… only to find out that the entertainment system wasn’t working! Oh well, I knew what was going to happen anyway: sleep. Once we boarded, I was able to listen to a podcast before zonking out yet again. I didn’t mean to because it would now mean that I wouldn’t be able to get to bed once I arrived. And I was right.
Winnipeg International (officially known as James R. Richardson International Airport, or airport code YWG) was surprisingly busy when I landed from Vancouver. The flight landed just after midnight local time and the HUG RUG and its environs were filled with people waiting for their family. Where was mine? Lol, well, in my family, we do drive-by pick ups. With no checked luggage, it wasn’t a hassle to get going.
And how’s the weather in Winnipeg? “Warm and snowing.” Which means it’s -7C and a foot of snow just fell!
I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season!