Once again...the adventure begins! Yes, it's true I am just going on a short cruise, with a few days at the end to play, but for me, I feel like an exploration has begun. An exploration of our world and of the people, and the cuisine, in it. And maybe even a bit of an exploration into me.~~~~
Who knows what I will find? Whatever it is, I'm sure it will add to the person I'm becoming, whether it is new friends, new foods, new sights or new experiences.~~~
The journey started off great. The first flight left on time and my upgrade to 1st class went through so it was fun to sit in comfort. As people boarded a very big, strong man boarded the plane dressed in scrubs that said something about emergency care specialist. Felt safe. A bit behind him came a rather small structured man with a big muzzled dog. The dog had a thick collar that in bold letters had the word 'POLICE' printed on it. My first thought was sadness that the dog had a muzzle on, then I started wondering why? There was a bit of commotion because the man had been given a seat in the middle of the row in economy and the large dog couldn't even fit in the row. Finally a lady gave up her seat in the bulkhead of the economy plus row and the others agreed to let the dog have that space. I was still thinking, poor dog! The journey went well and the breakfast we were served was better than most in the recent past. It seemed short, about two hours. As we got up I just had to talk to the man with the dog who had been a few rows behind me. Turns out he is a bomb dog on his way to a job in Wisconsin. He does travel around the US doing that sometimes. Still, I felt so bad for that dog having his mouth muzzled that long! I said what if his ears needed to pop and he couldn't yawn? The man with him didn't seem all that concerned, although he did seem kind. I know working dogs are important and necessary and have a purpose, but I thought of my big guy at home playing the swimming pool at his kennel and wished that for this squashed, muzzled, gentle Belgian malinois.~~~
We deplaned, and I had a few hours to wait for the afternoon flight to London. I was relieved to be in Chicago on time, I don't usually do the international connection thing on the same day, and after the extensive delays on my last trip in Winnipeg of over 24 hours, I'd been a little concerned about connections. But all was well for a while. I happened to be near the American Dog restaurant at the airport that I'd discovered on my trip to Pennsylvania so I went to have a dog for lunch. I won't share the one I choose, but I will say it wasn't healthy, but very tasty!~~~~
I enjoyed the comfort of the lounge and started reading the new 'book' I had purchased. I do enjoy my iPad, but have a problem referring to reading material on it as a book. The time passed nicely and when I checked my email there was a notice that my flight had been delayed. Oh no, recent memories of the Winnipeg delays came rushing back. At least they wouldn't have to fly in a mechanic from Chicago this time since we were IN Chicago, so that was a bit of a comforting thought. I went to the counter and the lady made some calls and after about 30 minutes assured me the plane was in, and would leave at the delayed time. It was due to an airport condition...hmmm. Well later on the flight I spoke with a flight attendant and discovered what the 'airport condition' meant. You know, when you take time to talk to airline personnel, you can learn a lot...for example at the airport I had learned that within the last couple of weeks there were some things added into the pilots' new contract that didn't make them happy, but that's another subject. Back to the flight info...apparently each airlines can only land so many days in a quarter, or six months, before 6 AM in London, it's called a curfew. There is a very expensive 'fine' for exceeding that limit and expensive to circle once there because of fuel used! So they delay the flight instead, and yes I guess it can be considered airport conditions. Hence the delay. Now what I wonder is why in the world do they schedule the flight to arrive before 6 AM to begin with? Oh well, I am not running the airlines. And so we waited.~~~~
Finally we were on the plane and I settled down in my seat that reclines 180 degrees, I do love those business seats that do that. So I'm settled in and a couple gets on and asks me to change seats with one of them to take their window seat so they could be together. I explained that I booked aisle seats so I didn't need to climb over someone sleeping to get up. I've learned that it's okay to be nice to strangers, but not when it is a big inconvenience to me. it makes me feel like a not nice person and for a short flight I would do that, but not for an eight and a half hour one. The man who was in the other aisle seat did agree to do that for them, nicer person than me, apparently. So he became my seat mate and he was quite interesting. He is a safety manager and works overseas and what interesting stories he had to share. He was in Iraq for three years and is now in Dubai. He said it is dangerous but it provides a good life for him and his family. He shared stories of some experiences I would never be able to go through for ny amount of money...gosh, I was tackling my fears just headed to Europe for 2 weeks! But his stories were better than a book!
After a delicious meal of a tender steak about 3 inches thick, with many salads and sides, it was time for a nap. I watched a bit of a movie and only slept a short time. The flight ended up being an hour shorter than predicted, but be assured we DID NOT land before 6 AM! It was about 7:30 by the time I made it to the hotel. After a very warm greeting from ll of the men at the concierge desk, I left my luggage ther and proceeded to check in. This is not a pleasant experience at this howl, I only come because those men take such good care of me. A couple of them actually always remember exactly which month I was here before, amazing. So is check in was no more pleasant than ever. No rooms were ready which I totally understand, but they told me they would add 25 GBP to my charges if I did check in before noon. Now I've always been here early and never paid that and there was nothing about that on the website or package I'd purchased, even though I'd put in early arrival, it is always something here. So they finally decided to waive that and I spent the next hour in the Starbucks in the lobby enjoying an iced tea. Finally the room was ready and unfortunately the former manager who used to work mornings and was so kind is gone, and there would be no complimentary Internet for me, it would cost 25 GBP, yes they were set on that extra money. I declined and quite exhaustingly went to my room. I wasn't in the room 5 minutes before one of the concierge men knocked on my door with a password for me so I could use the Internet free. Yes, these gentlemen do take very good care of me! ~~~~
While waiting for my room I called my friend Diana, in another part of England, hoping a trip to see her either by bus or train would work out. Unfortunately, nothing short of renting a car and driving on the 'wrong' side of the road would work so we were not able to arrange a visit. Sorry Diana, I would have loved to see you and Alec, and I do hope your brother is doing well. It's a good thing I didn't head there, though, when I finally fell into bed, I slept over five hours, apparently I was tireder (?) than I thought. I woke up, had some fish and chips at the bar in the hotle and then thought I would have a visit with my other British friends, Peter and Terry, but that didn't work out either and so back to sleep I went.~~~well here I am now...I hope that tomorrow goes well and I find myself safely in Athens by the end of the day...more from there!
Now it is the middle of the night in London and finally I am wide awake.
Who knows what I will find? Whatever it is, I'm sure it will add to the person I'm becoming, whether it is new friends, new foods, new sights or new experiences.~~~
The journey started off great. The first flight left on time and my upgrade to 1st class went through so it was fun to sit in comfort. As people boarded a very big, strong man boarded the plane dressed in scrubs that said something about emergency care specialist. Felt safe. A bit behind him came a rather small structured man with a big muzzled dog. The dog had a thick collar that in bold letters had the word 'POLICE' printed on it. My first thought was sadness that the dog had a muzzle on, then I started wondering why? There was a bit of commotion because the man had been given a seat in the middle of the row in economy and the large dog couldn't even fit in the row. Finally a lady gave up her seat in the bulkhead of the economy plus row and the others agreed to let the dog have that space. I was still thinking, poor dog! The journey went well and the breakfast we were served was better than most in the recent past. It seemed short, about two hours. As we got up I just had to talk to the man with the dog who had been a few rows behind me. Turns out he is a bomb dog on his way to a job in Wisconsin. He does travel around the US doing that sometimes. Still, I felt so bad for that dog having his mouth muzzled that long! I said what if his ears needed to pop and he couldn't yawn? The man with him didn't seem all that concerned, although he did seem kind. I know working dogs are important and necessary and have a purpose, but I thought of my big guy at home playing the swimming pool at his kennel and wished that for this squashed, muzzled, gentle Belgian malinois.~~~
We deplaned, and I had a few hours to wait for the afternoon flight to London. I was relieved to be in Chicago on time, I don't usually do the international connection thing on the same day, and after the extensive delays on my last trip in Winnipeg of over 24 hours, I'd been a little concerned about connections. But all was well for a while. I happened to be near the American Dog restaurant at the airport that I'd discovered on my trip to Pennsylvania so I went to have a dog for lunch. I won't share the one I choose, but I will say it wasn't healthy, but very tasty!~~~~
I enjoyed the comfort of the lounge and started reading the new 'book' I had purchased. I do enjoy my iPad, but have a problem referring to reading material on it as a book. The time passed nicely and when I checked my email there was a notice that my flight had been delayed. Oh no, recent memories of the Winnipeg delays came rushing back. At least they wouldn't have to fly in a mechanic from Chicago this time since we were IN Chicago, so that was a bit of a comforting thought. I went to the counter and the lady made some calls and after about 30 minutes assured me the plane was in, and would leave at the delayed time. It was due to an airport condition...hmmm. Well later on the flight I spoke with a flight attendant and discovered what the 'airport condition' meant. You know, when you take time to talk to airline personnel, you can learn a lot...for example at the airport I had learned that within the last couple of weeks there were some things added into the pilots' new contract that didn't make them happy, but that's another subject. Back to the flight info...apparently each airlines can only land so many days in a quarter, or six months, before 6 AM in London, it's called a curfew. There is a very expensive 'fine' for exceeding that limit and expensive to circle once there because of fuel used! So they delay the flight instead, and yes I guess it can be considered airport conditions. Hence the delay. Now what I wonder is why in the world do they schedule the flight to arrive before 6 AM to begin with? Oh well, I am not running the airlines. And so we waited.~~~~
Finally we were on the plane and I settled down in my seat that reclines 180 degrees, I do love those business seats that do that. So I'm settled in and a couple gets on and asks me to change seats with one of them to take their window seat so they could be together. I explained that I booked aisle seats so I didn't need to climb over someone sleeping to get up. I've learned that it's okay to be nice to strangers, but not when it is a big inconvenience to me. it makes me feel like a not nice person and for a short flight I would do that, but not for an eight and a half hour one. The man who was in the other aisle seat did agree to do that for them, nicer person than me, apparently. So he became my seat mate and he was quite interesting. He is a safety manager and works overseas and what interesting stories he had to share. He was in Iraq for three years and is now in Dubai. He said it is dangerous but it provides a good life for him and his family. He shared stories of some experiences I would never be able to go through for ny amount of money...gosh, I was tackling my fears just headed to Europe for 2 weeks! But his stories were better than a book!
After a delicious meal of a tender steak about 3 inches thick, with many salads and sides, it was time for a nap. I watched a bit of a movie and only slept a short time. The flight ended up being an hour shorter than predicted, but be assured we DID NOT land before 6 AM! It was about 7:30 by the time I made it to the hotel. After a very warm greeting from ll of the men at the concierge desk, I left my luggage ther and proceeded to check in. This is not a pleasant experience at this howl, I only come because those men take such good care of me. A couple of them actually always remember exactly which month I was here before, amazing. So is check in was no more pleasant than ever. No rooms were ready which I totally understand, but they told me they would add 25 GBP to my charges if I did check in before noon. Now I've always been here early and never paid that and there was nothing about that on the website or package I'd purchased, even though I'd put in early arrival, it is always something here. So they finally decided to waive that and I spent the next hour in the Starbucks in the lobby enjoying an iced tea. Finally the room was ready and unfortunately the former manager who used to work mornings and was so kind is gone, and there would be no complimentary Internet for me, it would cost 25 GBP, yes they were set on that extra money. I declined and quite exhaustingly went to my room. I wasn't in the room 5 minutes before one of the concierge men knocked on my door with a password for me so I could use the Internet free. Yes, these gentlemen do take very good care of me! ~~~~
While waiting for my room I called my friend Diana, in another part of England, hoping a trip to see her either by bus or train would work out. Unfortunately, nothing short of renting a car and driving on the 'wrong' side of the road would work so we were not able to arrange a visit. Sorry Diana, I would have loved to see you and Alec, and I do hope your brother is doing well. It's a good thing I didn't head there, though, when I finally fell into bed, I slept over five hours, apparently I was tireder (?) than I thought. I woke up, had some fish and chips at the bar in the hotle and then thought I would have a visit with my other British friends, Peter and Terry, but that didn't work out either and so back to sleep I went.~~~well here I am now...I hope that tomorrow goes well and I find myself safely in Athens by the end of the day...more from there!
Now it is the middle of the night in London and finally I am wide awake.
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