I heart my travel benefits
Showing posts with label I heart my travel benefits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I heart my travel benefits. Show all posts

'tater chips

I know--it's weird. Okay--I'm weird. I love grocery stores in other countries. And what I find myself most interested in is the potato chips. Specifically, the Lay's Potato Chips and all the different flavors that are available in other countries, but are not available here. Here is a sampling of the offerings available in Shanghai:



Italian Red Meat Sauce
















Cucumber


















Blueberry. Sweet and salty. I didn't care for them.

















Texas Grilled BBQ

















Lime

















Mexican Tomato Chicken (not too bad...)















My favorite is good ol' Salt and Vinegar--what's YOUR favorite flavor?

My View 1 Year Ago: Who Said It Was Glamorous?


Blondie
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Shanghai-sights and tastes

Before we left for Shanghai, we were able to visit with a couple of our friends in Chicago. My friend and former Inflight Manager, Deb and her new baby came by the hotel. Five months old, Rio is beautiful and precious with her long blonde hair and squishy legs. When she fell asleep in my arms, I just wanted to eat her up! I ♥ Rio!








One of my favorite pilots and good friend from my former airline, Gary, stopped by for hugs and hellos before we boarded for our flight.






















In addition to the Arrival card we had to fill out for Immigration into China, we also had to fill out the "Health Declaration" card, which is part of the Chinese response to the aporkalypse. I like this question: "Have you had close contact with pig within the past 1 week?" (Oh, the jokes I could insert here...!)




On arrival into Shanghai, these guys (or gals, who could tell?) came onboard the aircraft with a thermometer. (Well, I think it was a thermometer!) They pointed the gun thingee at your forehead and it displayed a series of four dots on your skin. Lasting a mere 2 seconds for each person, they cleared our airplane quite quickly.

We found our driver relatively quickly and headed to our apartment near downtown. Two bedrooms, two bath, with a cooked-to-order breakfast buffet and Internet for about $65 a night each. Not bad--huh?
















We actually had the three bedroom apartment--where the smaller bedroom was made into a computer room. Some websites were blocked, apparently by the government. I was unable to access my blog to post anything--I sent my sister an e-mail so she could post the last post for me. Yeah, I know, I am probably a threat to the Chinese government... (rolleyes!)

The other dissident website I was unable to access there was Verizon Wireless. Go figure!

The thing I enjoyed the most while we were there was a walk around our colorful neighborhood. I loved this restaurant with the fresh seafood right in front of it. Eel, urchin, shrimp, or octopus--take your pick!






























































The area was filled with colorful lanterns and decorations. At night, there were brightly-hued lights that twinkled for the street festival.




















































































There were street vendors everywhere--many of them selling fresh fruit. This man had fresh cherries and these delicious, juicy, sweet, tart, strawberry tasting things:





























And these--which when opened, revealed a very soft, sweet white segmented fruit--divinely delectable!





























Next post--Xintiandi, jewelry and potato chips!

My View 1 Year Ago: Paris, First Class, International--NOT!




Blondie
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Shang-Wow!

Cherie and I flew over from Chicago to Shanghai--a 14 hour flight yesterday. And we arrived tomorrow--or something like that--when we crossed the International Dateline. We were able to score First Class seats on the 747--suh-weet!

Our Flight Attendants were just amazing, graceful and elegant! The Purser, Barbara, has been doing this Shanghai trip for the last four years, and she was more than willing to share her knowledge of where to go to eat and shop. She wrote a big list for us, complete with maps, names of people to see, and which shops do not bargain and which ones do.

We checked into our hotel--which is actually a two bedroom, two bath apartment--it is just lovely. And inexpensive. (Me likey cheap!) It is also in a great location and the really nice breakfast buffet is included. Yesterday, after we settled in, we walked around and bought a Burberry shirt for $6 US. Nice that the Burberry folks sell their stuff so inexpensively here, huh? ;)

This morning we grabbed a cab to Nanjing Road--to the 580 building. This place makes the Straw Market in Nassau, Bahamas look like a church picnic! The vendors are extremely interested in your shopping at their stall. Did I say extremely interested? They practically drag you into their shops...and, if you mention you are looking for something, one of them will drag you up the stairs to a friend's shop. There, the magic door at the back of the stall opens so you can exam the knock-off Coach, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Chanel--you name it, they have it. And, oh! The deals to be made! EVERYthing is negotiable. And just when I offer a lowball price I offer that I expect to be rejected, the agree to it and WHAM! I am the owner of something I had not intended to buy. These people are pros...and I must look like a big fool!

We are heading over to Xian Dao Ti (or something like that!) to see what is there--it came highly recommended by Barbara. I cannot wait to see what is in store for us there! I have to make sure to turn off the neon sign on my forehead that flashes "SUCKER"!

Blondie
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The ABC's of Non-Rev Hell

I had the bright idea that I would fly to Virginia Beach (ORF) instead of driving on Tuesday. No need to deal with the terrible traffic on Interstate 95, I'd save time, save money, save gas, save the environment, right? That's right--use those benefits!

I flew down on Tuesday evening--no problem. Had a lovely time with my family. The Most Amazing Child on the Planet had a T-ball game, and I was able to watch him knock in two, count 'em two, homeruns (though they don't count in T-ball, they don't go unnoticed by his Mimi!) While I was there, I didn't have to drive all over the city to see everyone--they all came to me! Perrrr-fect, right?

Not so much!

After running some errands with my daughters yesterday, Casey dropped me off at the airport. Kiss, kiss, see ya later, call ya in an hour when I get home...

Yeah, right!

At the ticket counter, the agent issued me a "pre-boarding pass" -- it acknowledges that I am listed as a standby for the flight I want, and can be used to go through Security. All I need to do is sit at the gate and wait for my name to be called. The agent even let me know that there were over 20 seats available on the flight I listed for. Plan A was working like a charm!

When called, the gate agent let me know that there was no "jumpseat" agreement with this certain carrier and my Company. A cabin jumpseat agreement is for Flight Attendants to be able to fly standby on another carrier. You are very low on the priority list, and you don't actually sit in the other carrier's extra jumpseat, you sit in a regular cabin seat. This flight was a US Airways "Express" flight-with a regional jet. A different company, Air Wisconsin, operated this flight for US Airways. She made three phone calls on my behalf to be certain...nope, no jumpseat agreement. (Funny, I flew down on that same carrier three days ago...)

No worries the agent tells me! She'll just send me down to Charlotte, NC (CLT), and I can fly to Washington, DC (DCA) from there, all on US Airways mainline, which does have a jumpseat agreement with my Company. This is Plan B. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

Unexpectedly, Plan C develops! Walking to the gate for the CLT flight, I passed a Southwest flight that was boarding for Baltimore-Washington (BWI). Southwest does have a jumpseat agreement with my Company. Since it is always better to have a non-stop flight versus changing planes, I decided I'd deal with getting home from the BWI airport later. I spoke with the agent and she said the flight had checked in full and that there were three revenue passengers (real, cash paying people) that were trying to go, as well. Going back to Plan B, I walked to the CLT gate, which was just starting to board.

Terrific Flight Attendants, nice new plane--it was on the Embraer-190--it was a really nice flight! Got to CLT and over to the gate for the 5:50 pm flight to DCA--I was #28 on the Standby list! The Golden Rule of non-revving is "Do Not Leave the Gate Until the Plane Pushes Back." I stayed--just in case. Didn't make that flight.

Plan D began to evolve. Grabbed a bite to eat while headed over to the 7:24 pm United Express flight to Washington Dulles (IAD) in Concourse A (from Concourse D). All I needed was one itty bitty seat. Just one. That flight went out full.

Started thinking I was going to be spending the night in CLT. Then I noticed the Delta gates. Hmmm... From Atlanta (ATL) Delta generally has almost hourly flights to the airport I want to go to: DCA. And, if I'm going to get stuck in CLT, might as well get stuck in ATL. So, I boarded the flight to ATL, as Plan E materialized.

Once in ATL, I headed over to the DCA gate. The 9:30 departure had a huge standby list--Delta shows it on a screen at the gate, as well as the number of seats available. Easy to do the math--I wasn't getting on.

Time for Plan F.

Thought I'd see if, at this late hour, there was one last flight going to Washington Dulles (IAD) or Baltimore (BWI). Anything. If not, I'd find a hotel for the night and start again in the morning--Plan G.

Walking away, towards the Departure Boards, I saw a gate with a flight to DCA. This flight, originally scheduled to leave at 8 pm, was now leaving at 9:05. (And it was already past that time.) With barely a smidgeon of hope, I approached the gate and waited patiently. After boarding everyone, he took my information and handed me a boarding pass! <insert chorus of angels singing Hallelujah here> Plan H was my ace-in-the hole, my mini-miracle!

My Delta flight arrived at DCA around midnight last night. I could have driven to Virginia Beach and back in the time it took me to get home yesterday. But, with our benefits, there was no need to deal with the terrible traffic on Interstate 95, and I would save money, save gas, and save the environment, right?

Blondie
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Petrin Hill and beyond

One of the loveliest views in Prague is from Petrin Hill. It overlooks the tile rooftops of Old Town (Stare Mesto) and I'm sure that the hill itself is as spectacular as the view when the trees and flowers are in bloom. There is a funicular that will take up you to the top of the 1500 meter hill--but it was under scheduled maintenance when we arrived. Of course!


We hoofed it up Petrin Hill--almost a mile up the steep incline and twisting path. There was an older couple hot on our heels and Shelby was determined that they were not going to pass us! We pushed onward until we arrived at the top. My knees were burning!





At the top of Petrin Hill is a reduced copy of the Eiffel Tower, built in 1891. Standing between me and the top of the Tower is a $3 charge and 299 steps. I was fine with the three bucks--but, after that climb, with its' serious incline--I was in no mood to climb 299 stairs! I waited on a sunny bench while Shelby "took it for the team" and trudged to the top.



Obviously, the most beautiful view in all of Prague!









The rail of the damn funicular that was not in service!







After the trip back down, we wandered the streets and found a great little coffee shop. One thing to note--hot mulled wine is less expensive than a cup of coffee! I'm jus' sayin'...






On Nerudova Street, there was a a film crew and a very skinny actress (not in the picture) who had on a sleeveless dress, and had to walk up the stairs to do her scene. Over and over and over. It was about 40 degrees outside. She had to be freezing!





We decided to go to dinner at Hergetova Cilhelna, recommended by our Frommer's guide(which had been spot on so far during the trip.) It was such a tasty meal! Shelby ordered the burger, and I had a pizza. The pizza was like the ones I had eaten in Rome, and Shelby's burger tasted like steak! We both agreed our dinner was delicious! The restaurant is on the Vltava River and the view of the Charles Bridge just simply wows you! I will definitely eat there again!







Walking out of the restaurant and into the neighboring courtyard at the Kafka Museum, we stumbled upon this David Czerny sculpture, which we dubbed "The Pissing Contest." (click on the link to see the...um, "action"...)It's hilarious in that the bottom half of the statues' torsos rotate side to side, and their...um..."tools" move up and down. In researching it since I've been home, I found out that you can text message the statues and they will "pee" your text. Well, alrighty then!



While we were there, we found the Metro/subway and tram system incredibly easy to use! (It also helps that Shelby is a mole and doesn't need to read any signs--she just has an internal GPS that guides us to the right train!)





We left on Sunday with a plan to drive to Stuttgart, Germany to stay the night at Kelley Barracks, another Army facility. Staying at Kelley Barracks would make our drive to FRA short the next day. On our way out, we just had to go to a Czech McDonald's. There they had this little dish of fried cheese and a sort of cranberry like dipping sauce. By the time we got there, we were hungry, so this held us over until we could get to Nurnburg, where we planned on having lunch.

For future reference, it is very difficult to find a non-fast food restaurant open in Germany on a Sunday. Very, very difficult. Etch that in your brain, please. You'll thank me later!

We did manage to find a German restaurant in Stuttgart that was open, and we both had a dinner of salad and ram schnitzel....mmmmmm!
The next day, we headed to Frankfurt, turned in our rental car, and took the train to the airport. On the way back, there were no paying passengers in First Class, just three non-revs. We implored the Flight Attendants to not make a fuss and to enjoy an easy dinner service. Faris is the Flight Attendant who took care of us the most, and she is just about the best I have ever seen! She has an easy smile, is graceful--and funny, too! She did a nice job for us!

Once arriving in Washington, Shelby had to hurry through Immigration to catch her flight home. Knowing how much she wanted to sleep in her own bed that night, I was pleased when she called to let me know she had made her flight back to Columbia. Driving home, I reflected on this awesome trip to Prague! My eyes were opened: the beauty of the city and its people and outdoor artwork was something unexpected--and, I learned the depth of a friendship.

Blondie
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