Thursday, October 29, 2009

GMO stewardesses and the coolest airport in the world


It's 9:46 a.m. Colorado time, who knows what time in Singapore, and the passengers are beginning to stir. The pretty Italian girl behind me is snoring loud enough to awaken the four rows in front of her. The faint smell of sweaty feet (maybe mine?) is wafting through the cabin. And the fact that I have been on an airplane for 21 hours (2 from Denver to LA; 19 from LA to Singapore) has begun to sink in.
Then, there she is: An angelic Asian flight attendant, with a floor-length paisley gown, black hair twisted tightly into a bun, perfect skin, and heavy blue-green eyeshadow. She is bearing gifts: a cold glass of orange juice, and a small brown sac countaining clean socks, a toothbrush, and toothpaste - for free. How did she know? I thought I was dreaming.
The crew of stunningly beautiful, super attentive, and eerily identical stewardesses on Singapore Airlines creeps me out at first (genetically modified? I ask my jet-lag addled self). But seriously, these guys put our polyester-clad, slightly snotty American flight attendants to shame. The menu (yes, you order from a menu) was impressive, and the cocktails and movies were free. And the airport is even more awe inspiring: movie theater, hotel, gym, five-star restaurants, Japanese gardens complete with live butterflies and a koi pond, and free wifi. Good thing. Five more hours til we fly out for Kathmandu. Maybe I'll go get a pedicure at the spa. Or not.