Nancy's Arrival in KL July 19, 2007

It’s wonderful to be in KL. It’s the end and the beginning at the same time. The end of a search and process to work at an international school and the beginning of living and working in a new culture.

When I landed in SFO and I got off the plane it was 1:10 AM with no boarding pass and only 15 min. to catch my next flight. Now the miracle and an angel come into my travel story. I raced thought the SFO airport to the international terminal. When I got to the check in area all counters for all airlines were closed. China Airlines had closed their counter at 12:45 AM. No boarding pass = no going though security. I hadn’t even had time to consider my next option when a young woman and man and a SFO uniformed policeman (the angel) were running toward me. The policeman asked me what flight I needed to catch and I said China Air to Taipei. The other two passengers had arrived 4 hours late on flight from Seattle and were on their honeymoon, on the way to Bali and on the same flight as me. The policeman radioed to China Air and told them they had 3 late arriving passengers they needed to get on the plane. He took us to the security area which had a closed door as they had finished for the night but he got the attention of a person and told her to let us thorough even though we had no boarding passes. He said he’d accompany us all the way to the airplane. Our bags were quickly scanned and we headed toward the departure gate. Two China Airlines employees met us and asked for our boarding passes and we didn’t have any. She said we would not be able to board the plane as all seats were taken. I said I have a seat assignment and she said they give them away 45 min. before departure. The policeman told the airlines folks to let us on the plane! He stood by the counter and they issued boarding passes to us and I had a great aisle seat close to the one I had requested. There was even room in the luggage compartment right above my seat for my carryon suitcase and backpack! The policeman literally escorted us onto the airplane. We were seated, the doors closed and we were off for a 13 hour flight to Taipei. What a miracle! I said many prayers of thanksgiving.

All the rest of the trip was calm – safe arrival in Taipei and on time flight from Taipei to Kuala Lumpur. I got my boarding pass from Taipei to KL without any problems in Taipei.

The airport is quite a distance from the center of town. We passed by many palm oil groves. Traffic wasn’t bad mid afternoon. The city is very hectic – lots of traffic, crazy motorcycle drivers – but it seems clean.

When I arrived at the hotel and checked in I called Doug and Tracy’s room and they all came down to meet me. What a joyous meeting. The kids were so happy and I was so thrilled to be here and see them. I had my swim suit in my carry on so we all went swimming and had a good time. After swimming we took a taxi to the big mall by the Petronas Towers and ate at very nice Thai Restaurant.

First impressions of KL – busy city, friendly people, great hotel and you can get anything for a price. The mall was huge and had all so many stores. I’ll just need to find a little local hardware store to get cleaning supplies for my condo – broom, etc. They didn’t have that at the mall.

Today and tomorrow more new teachers arrive so I’ll start meeting folks. All for now.

- Nancy