Every now and then, work takes me to Hong Kong — and to be honest, I don't love it. My first trip was in 2015, and from the get go, the city just didn't click with me. The brutal time change, the long flight, and the part of town where my office is — overly commercial, lacking charm — none of it won me over.
But if there's one part of the trip I genuinely enjoy, it's prepping the perfect lineup of movies, TV, and music for the flight. A 16-hour haul in a metal tube demands careful curation. I start with TV — shows I'm already into and new ones I've been meaning to try — making sure to download at least a season's worth. Then, the movies: a mix spanning different genres, ready to match whatever mood I'm in, along with a few reliable re-watches. I steer clear of anything too long or too heavy — this is about entertainment, not an emotional marathon.
And then there's the music. I make sure to have a mix of playlists I've been working on, new albums or artists I want to check out, and, of course, my deep library of old favorites. Whatever I'm up for, whether it's exploration or just zoning out, the right soundtrack is critical.
This little ritual not only gives me something to look forward to, but it also eases the pre-trip dread. And for those 16 hours in the air, it almost — almost — makes the journey enjoyable.