Colleen asked a question on the comments section and I know a number of you only read the blog entries as they're e-mailed to you, so I thought I'd answer it here too because it's one of those cool questions that lead us to the scholarly realms of geography, physics, psychology, human physiology and philosopy.
Basically Colleen wanted to know how long the flight is between Houston and Paris.
Well it's either 16 hours and 40 minutes or it's 10 hours and 35 minutes or it's 9 hours and 40 minutes or its 3 hours and 35 minutes. It all depends on how you look at it.
On the outbound leg (Houston/Paris), we'll leave at 6:40 p.m. and arrive at 11:05 a.m. the next day. That's 16 hours and 40 minutes, but it's only 9 hours and 40 minutes in real time because of the time zone changes (it's seven hours later in Paris than it is in Birmingham or Houston).
So, when we get there, our bodies will think we're landing in Paris at 4:05 a.m. We'll be really tired, somewhat disoriented and the predominant language we'll hear will be French. That's the real reason why it takes a day or so to get over the jet lag.
There are lots of different theories about combatting jet lag. Some say you should hit the ground running and go to bed at an early, but reasonable, hour. Others say a power nap as soon as you get to your hotel will help. Still others suggest knocking yourself out on the flight with alcohol and/or sleeping pills and trying to get some sleep. But nothing really works for me and I'm never able to really sleep on a long flight. I'm always too cramped in the plane and too excited about the trip ahead.
But after that first good night's sleep, I always wake up feeling great and ready to conquer the world.
On the return leg we'll leave Paris at 12:55 p.m. and arrive in Houston at 4:30 p.m. the same day. You'll be tired when you get to Houston, because it will be well past midnight Paris time by the time you clear customs. And most of us have the flight to Birmingham facing us after that.
Our "real" flying time is actually almost a full hour longer on the return because we'll be flying into the jetstream on the way back and that will slow our speed quite a bit. The airlines factor that into their schedules.
Okay, so long flights really can make you feel like you're in a time warp. Kind of like a very young Susan Sarandon does in this classic bit of cinema.
Enjoy!
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2 comments:
Hank,
Thank you so much for your patience with Mrs. Fishman. Your momma taught you well.
For me-- the best way I have over come jet lag on international trips is to knock my self out and sleep. After dinner and a movie, I will take my sleeping pill, put my earplugs in and settle in to sleep. When I arrive in a country, I go on their time, and then when I get back to the states, I go back on the time there. It is what has always worked for me.
Any seat is fine with me. Although, I have a psychological malady called tiny bladder. When I am in the middle or window seat, I have to pee like every 30 minutes. And it gets worse as we get closer to landing and I know I can't get to a bathroom until we are off. I know it's all in my head. Once I am asleep it goes away. I have gotten very adept through the years of climbing over sleeping bodies. My husband has also been very good and patient with me.
I have short legs so I will give up the aisle to those with longer legs, but be patient with my bladder issues.
We are so going to get to know each other!!!!!!I love it. I hope all you all do to.
Kathy
Jet lag....who's worried about jet lag. This is the crazy, up-all-night, Mardi Gras krewe.
However, Ambien works like wonders if you really want to sleep on the plan.
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