Tag Archives: flying

Goodbye Europe, Hello NYC!

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We woke early today and, miracle of miracles, we both woke before our alarms went off. (More of a surprise with me than with Dan.)

Packing was quick. Deciding to check luggage after all was rather speedy as well. Roller bags are just not as pleasant to deal with in the overhead bins, and it also meant I didn’t have to consolidate my purse with my Cabin Max bag. I do, however, feel a bit of a failure when I do checked luggage. Go figure.

Our drive to the airport was easy, but communicating to our driver wasn’t. She initially thought we were going to terminal four, even though we said one a number of times. She then dropped us off at the far end of terminal one and we had a bit of a walk. It wasn’t really a problem, being as we were there much earlier than necessary. We were so early, in fact, that they hadn’t opened the luggage check area yet. That opened only a few minutes later, though, and we were second in line so that was quite speedy. Then it was a walk to the the A gates.

Not speedy was finding the lounge! We had mixed messages when we looked online. One suggested the lounge I thought we should go to was closed for renovation. Dan’s info said we should go to B6, but we couldn’t even find B6! Eventually we saw a sign and, sure enough, “my” lounge was where we were to go. It was quite nice, and I loved that we could go outside. Had the weather been warmer we would have sat out there.

After a few hours (that, for me anyway, seemed to speed by) we saw on the board that we should go to our gate. So off we went.

I’m sure we could have left the lounge 10 or 15 minutes later, but I do like getting to the gate on the early side.

This plane’s seating is different than we’ve experienced before. We can’t sit together, as no Polaris seats are in pairs. Because of this we chose window seats. Dan is in 7L and I’m in 9L (8L didn’t have a window). It’s rather fun to look outside — something we’ve not done on an international flight since we moved to Polaris. (I like to have the map on the screen so I can see where we are.)

(The final image is probably over Porto.)

One reason to get Polaris is, of course, so we can put the seats back and actually sleep, but first … dinner. Or what they call lunch. Seemed more like dinner to me, and it was actually quite tasty.

Soon after eating I decided to try and sleep, and I think I slept for over an hour — perhaps even two hours. Then it was the typical just hang, do whatever … and look out the window when we finally saw land again. First it was Canada, and later Massachusetts.

The landing was maybe the smoothest I’ve ever experienced. After landing we saw a lot of emergency vehicles. Hmm. We figured some plane must have had an issue. And, indeed, one did. Ours! We were informed that a tire had some sort of a problem and we were stuck for a while as they had to decide if the plane could proceed to the terminal or if it needed to be towed. Finally we moved again (no towing), and arrived. Going through passport control was SO easy, because we have Global Entry. Gotta love it. Luggage was retrieved and we opted to use Lyft rather than take the train.

Maybe that wasn’t a wise choice. Traffic was ghastly. But so it goes. We finally arrived at the Hotel Belleclaire. It’s rather funny that this is the smallest room we’ve had on this trip. Maneuvering around is a challenge. I am somewhat convinced that I get smaller rooms here when I book through Expedia. I had written to the Belleclaire to see if they would match Expedia’s price, though, and they never replied. (Their site says that they will match a price. Hm.) But we arrived safe and sound and I won’t complain. We unpacked, rested a bit, and then went out to meet family.

And it was COLD. Funny that this is probably the coldest weather on the trip. Who knew?

Next up: meeting with Brandon, and later Jameson, Meghan, and Lia. We ended up eating at Amsterdam Ale House, which is sort of a go-to place when we stay at the Belleclaire. Only one photo, shot by Dan., and it’s not exactly his masterpiece, but how wonderful to be with these four tonight!

At this point it is 3:48 AM in Spain. I think I’m handling the time change fairly well, but tomorrow will tell the real story!

G’night!

Hello, UK!

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After our long sit in the Frankfurt lounge, we headed to Glasgow via Lufthansa. Easy flight. More food.


We went through customs. I managed to do the wrong thing on the scanner — I think I scanned the wrong page of my passport! — and had to see a person instead. He asked me where I came from. I said California. Heh. Then he said, “No, where did you just fly in from?” Oh. Right. Frankfurt! Old Brain!

From there it was collection luggage time. I think our bags were maybe the 2nd and 3rd out! Dan didn’t recognize his but thankfully I said, “But isn’t that yours?” and he quickly went after it.

Our hotel (Holiday Inn) is directly across the street from the airport. As in about a three minute walk, max. So we are now in our room and we will see how we sleep tonight. It does feel like it’s night to me, although not quite 11:55, as the clock says. We have, um, quite the view … of a parking garage!

Tomorrow onward to Oban!

But first … lunch!

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After my dear sister (thanks, Carolyn!) drove us to the airport we went to check our luggage. There was no wait at all. It it so odd at this point to say goodbye to luggage, since I’m so used to carryon only. I think the rule about trekking poles is dumb, and I am betting we could have gotten through with them, but were we willing to take that chance? No way!

We got through security in what felt like seconds, so that, too was a breeze. There is barely anyone here!

Then it was time for the Polaris Lounge. (Yes. We are doing the Polaris lay-flat seats on the plane, which means we get in to the Polaris Lounge. We are spoiled. I’m okay with that.) We headed to the dining room and had a lovely, small meal. It was just delightful. And quiet. Very, very quiet.

Small bites first, and then our main. I
promise you we won’t complain!
(Yes, that’s my poem for today.)

Now we are sitting in the lounge, having coffee and dessert. Oh what a rough life. You might weep a bit for us.

Or not.

Next up … Frankfurt. We have close to a 7 hour layover before we have a 2 hour flight to Glasgow.

I’m still not quite realizing this is happening!

Yes, I’m Home

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I will post more photos from the flight … maybe. We’ll see. But it was a rather uneventful flight, aside from a few little annoyances.

Because I checked my bag at the last minute which meant it was one of the last to be put on the plane it was one of the first to get delivered. This is one reason I like to do it that way when they ask for volunteers! Then my sweet sister picked me up (Thanks, Carolyn!), and we headed back to San Jose.

We went out to dinner and even treated ourselves to ice cream cones. Okay, really frozen yogurt cones because those MUST be so much healthier! HAH!

Anyway, who knows if I’ll get to photo posting or not, but for now? BED. Ciao!

Flying Home

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After my quick cappuccino at the hotel I scheduled a Lyft to take me to EWR. I knew I’d arrive (too?) early, but there wasn’t enough time for a walk and staying at the hotel seemed boring.

The driver arrived a minute after I scheduled the “longer wait” right. Heh. I’ve learned that one rarely needs to get the immediate car that costs more. As we were dealing with a ton of traffic in Manhattan he asked how soon my flight was and I assured him I had plenty of time. But then, even further out, we hit nearly standstill traffic. Turned out there was an accident that was impeding …

<Wait! Side note: the person behind me just closed MY window blind in the plane. Hello?! The same person who put his — or hers, I haven’t checked — blanket plastic wrapper on my arm rest. Heh. Boundaries be gone!)

… our progress. But we got past that and, for the most part, did okay from then on. We did pass another accident with two cars on their sides and another damaged one as well. Eek!

Security was a breeze. Barely a line and very very quick. I then walked over to find my gate, before heading to the United Club lounge. (I like to know how far it is from the lounge.)

I really didn’t end up having a ton of time in the lounge. Or maybe I did and it went quickly because I was playing all my games. Hm. (HUGE fail with “Connections” today, though.)

I stood in the line for Boarding Group 2 until, as I expected, we were told the plane was full and if anyone was willing to check their carryon bag they could do so. Knowing the bin above me would be full by the time Group 2 (really Group 6) boarded I went for it. Too bad they don’t reward us with a meal or something. Oh well.

And now I’m on the plane. I’ll be curious to see if I can post this! (Yes, I paid the $8 to have a connection on the plane.)

Safely Landed, Now Ready for Sleep!

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My plane flight was fairly non-eventful, although at one point they felt the need to point out where the barf bags were! Yes, a bit of turbulence. Nothing that bugged me, though.

In addition, for some reason we were never offered food. Perhaps because of turbulence again. It very well could be that they told us, but I can’t really understand much when the do the loudspeaker thing. It’s not loud, and it’s not clear. Go figure.

Boarding was a bit of a pain. When they say I’m in group two what that really means, as far as I’m concerned, is group six.

First they do people with disabilities, and then they add (not necessarily in this order), people of high standing (maybe platinum members?), groups with young children, and military folks. Finally group one went in and then we go to go. By the time I got to my seat in row eight there was NO room in the overhead bins close by and I had to hike back a bit to find an empty spot. I really wish they’d have a rule that said, “Use the bin above you,” but of course they can’t do that.

In any case, I got my luggage stowed, and went back to my middle (sigh) seat. The man to my right was an arm rest hog, but so be it. I sat quietly, got some rest, played my jigsaw puzzle and basically relaxed.

It was great to get in to Manhattan — it took nearly an hour from EWR.

I got to my room (VERY basic, but I don’t need anything fancy), relaxed, and waited for the boys to tell me what was up.



I met Jameson and Meghan in the hotel lobby and we ambled a bit, finally ending up at a place where we met Brandon and Lia. Foot and drinks were enjoyed, and it really was a great time. I’m SO happy to see them all. It’s good to see that Brandon and Lia are doing okay despite dealing with the fire at their apartment. Soon they will be able to move to the place right across from their uninhabitable place and I think that will be a good thing.

After eating and talking a lot Brandon and Lia said their goodbyes and Jameson and Meghan walked me back to my place.

What a long day. But who cares?! It’s just so great to see everyone!

Tomorrow I will head to the Bronx, view the mess of Brandon and Lia’s, and then go to Jameson and Meghan’s area.