Longest day of my life...

Yes, Christine and I took the longest flights that I have taken so far in my life. After some last minute shopping and hanging out with such a great aunt, we were taken to the IAH airport by Christine's friend, Will. He walked us all the way to the gate and made sure we got through security before taking off and I am grateful for that. But, for awhile, that was where the good times ended (OK, this is an exaggeration)
Christine and I on the shuttle to the airport :)

After getting a last minute birthday drink and making final phone calls to say goodbye to our loved ones, we jumped in what seemed like a 45 minute line and waited to board the plane. Upon finding our seats, we started smelling a very foul mix of BO and just dirtiness... It was then that we realized that our "row buddy" was a Filipino man who had decided not to shower for quite awhile before sitting next to me for 8 and 1/2 hours... It is true that your nose will acclimate to just about anything. Between that and him dancing to his techno music that blasted through his headphones, I must say it was an interesting flight. Oh and to add to all of this excitement, alcohol was completely free the entire flight... so the two Englishmen in front of us decided to drink the entire plane's content (well, at least what Christine and I weren't drinking)... They were also very very entertaining...
The first flight's seat layout... Yes, the man was in all denim wear and I was in the middle... This made it incredibly difficult to sleep...Me, trying to sleep... this picture is deceiving, there was actually no sleeping for me...

After the first flight, we navigated London Heathrow like pros, even changing our tickets for our return during our layover. We window shopped the ridiculously expensive designer stores and dreamed of outfits that we could put together, all while being in scrubs and PJ's... then, we headed to our gate. it was an odd concept at the gate. We were loaded onto buses and taken out to the middle of the tarmac where we then walked up stairs to get on the plane. I have done this on tiny planes to Fresno, but not while loading onto a 747... It was impressive and we snapped a shot from outside the plane. It kinda looks like its already in the air and I'm hanging out on the wings... i like it LOL.The second flight was pretty uneventful. I watched Taken (do not do this if you care about me while I'm traveling, it will just make you worry) and slept as much as possible. We arrived and got through immigration with ease... Apparently to no get quarantined for swine flu, you can lie about where you have been and what you do... otherwise, I probably would be hanging out in an isolation room right now. They're crazy about it here. After getting our bags, Mahima and Samir were waiting to pick us up and we headed to our new home for the next three weeks... I am excited!

P.S. on a side note, somehow Orbitz thought I was chunky and booked me all the way through with a low calorie diet... So while Christine was eating chocolate mousse and enjoying yummy, yummy food, I was eating cantaloupe and moping about my dry chicken... yes, this is my luck... I am getting used to it LOL