What an amazing trip to Europe. The few times that I have been to Europe in the past, I really enjoyed myself and the culture I was in, but for some reason this trip or specifically, Paris, really affected me. We were quite lucky to spend several days with a few locals who became fast friends and with that came the opportunity to really experience Paris on another, far less touristy level. I loved every minute of it. The long meals, the wine, and attempting to learn French on a level somewhere above my Jr. High French class were all a part of the great experience I had there.
I also loved the touristy things too. Thanks to the tips in the lucky guidebook I bought and devoured before going, we didn’t wait in a single line for anything. Even though it is high season over there right now, I didn’t feel crowded or cramped anywhere we were (except the Metro, but that’s ok).
When I got home, I avoided the scale for two days absolutely convinced that I had gained some crazy amount of weight. I ate very well. Decadence was mine. So after all of the chocolate croissants, breads, foods soaked in vast amounts of butter and let us not forget all of the amazing pastries, I was completely shocked to find that I had actually lost five pounds. I still can’t believe it. However, if you remember my earlier post, I did have blisters on my feet from the miles of walking we did. Even when resorting to taking the Metro everywhere just to let my blisters heal a bit, I still ended up walking miles each day (I won’t even mention the amount of stairs I climbed).
Now I am back to reality. Back at home trying to figure out how to possibly keep these precious few pounds off my frame. Back to my world where Paris is once again a dream trip.
Yes, here I am…in Paris. After 13 hours of flying a little baby business jet through the U.S., Canada (the Arctic), and Iceland we found ourselves (D and I) landing at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France.
It is still hard to believe we are here and will stay here in Paris for 9 days before flying south to an airport called Tours Val de Loire to pick up our passengers who are attending a wedding.
We have already been here for a couple of days and haven’t actually done anything touristy. We did see the Eiffel Tower flying in, but haven’t been there up close, yet let alone go up it. We walked through the courtyard of the Louvre, but haven’t gone inside, and our handy Metro passes haven’t even been used. They’re not kidding when they say that Paris is a “walking” city (I have two huge, glorious blisters on my feet to prove it!).
The FOOD. AMAZING. The WINE. AMAZING.
The word of the week is Savour.
I am a tad late in wishing everyone a Happy New Year…..so here it is…HAPPY NEW YEAR! I for one am pleased as punch to bid adieu to 2009 while at the same time completely excited for what 2010 has in store for each and every one of us.
As you can see, this new, bright year started off with a bang, in Las Vegas no less. I would like to introduce “Korbie”, the latest addition to our family. We met him at a fine Cantina at Lake Las Vegas where he decided to relocate to SoCal. We were more than happy to help him out, even offering up a prime location in our home to call his home. Unfortunately, while stowing away in the baggage compartment of our airplane, Korbie met his untimely demise (aircraft pressurization or lack thereof and inflatable Korbels don’t mix), and he never made it to his new home. RIP Korbie, you will live on in our memory.
Aside from the “Korbie Incident”, good times were had by all to kick off the New Year and cheers to many more great memories in 2010!
Somehow, this summer is almost at its end. Once again, I am shocked at how quickly it went by, but am always excited for the Fall to show up. This summer was different for me as I was at home in California for most of it instead of traveling around the country spending my summer in different cities four or five days a week. In summers past, I would fly all over the place and when I finally made it home, I was too jet-lagged to truly enjoy where I live. Although unemployment is not the most enjoyable thing, I do appreciate the strange gifts it has given me.
I am now well into my third month of unemployment and am proud to say that I have no idea if there’s anything good on on daytime television. Aside from a minor identity crisis and the aggravating toll that job hunting takes, this time off has been very rewarding and completely needed. The most surprising part of this experience for me has been how crazy busy I have been. I haven’t even begun my preconceived list of things to do once unemployed…you know, file those piles of papers, clean out the closets, finish the wedding photo album that was started a year and a half ago, etc. Instead, I am pleased to report that I am outside and exercising on a much regular basis now as well as spending time with loved ones and friends that I never had the time to spend before.
Life could definitely be worse!
With only two days left in this journey, I am facing a bit of an identity crisis. This blog, I’m afraid, has been a bit neglected simply because what do I do with a blog from an airline pilot’s perspective once you strip away the airline pilot? Officially, my new title becomes “Furloughed Airline Pilot”….does that leave me with a nugget of my former identity?
The big question is now “In what direction do I take this blog?”. Is a travel-less travel blog appropriate?
Ideas? Anyone?
The mailman was kind enough to bring my certified letter from the company informing me that I am officially laid off on April 1st. April Fool’s Day???? Seriously?
Since then I have hit the ground running….on the phone, emailing, filling out job applications, sending out resumes, and of course, lest we not forget “Networking”. I have almost become a permanent fixture at the airport chatting with people I know, engaging the people I don’t know.
I am entering the end of one era, and the beginning of another. Should be interesting!
Anyone know of anyone hiring? 
I walked up to my favorite Starbucks in the Phoenix airport today where my trusty, loyal and always working barista says “Hi Andrea, do you want your Cinnamon Dolce hot or iced today?”. Um….wow. I realize that I do frequent that particular Starbucks every chance I get when I am in Phoenix (the other locations in the airport just don’t make the drinks correctly!), but it appears that I just might indeed have a problem. Or I need to come up with a new drink selection, and fast! Any suggestions? And, no “Tall Coffee” does NOT cut it with me-I am not truly happy until I have parted with the $5 burning a hole in my pocket. Mind you, this weird must-have Starbucks fixation that I have only happens when I am working. I rarely go there on my off time.
When the barista at Starbucks knows you by the $5 frou-frou drink you order, is that a bad thing?
There is nothing worse than hearing that a plane has gone down. Those few minutes clawing at any information you can get are gut-wrenching. Yet, somehow out on the Hudson river last week while floating along there were many people who managed to barely get wet. Call it what you will, a miracle, luck, act of God- at the end of the day we are all grateful that what was most probable to happen did not happen that day.
As I sit around the airports killing time and people watching, it is so nice to overhear conversations of thanks and gratefulness and respect- something we airline pilots have not experienced in quite some time. On one hand, it is really sad that it takes an accident like this one to earn some respect amongst the traveling public…on the other hand, I’ll take what I can get!
Today I am finishing up a four day trip and will hopefully make it back home tonight. Standing in my way? A winter storm in Boston, where I happen to be at the moment. Boston….love this town. The buildings, the history, and so much to do. Even the accent makes me smile. I love every chance I get to spend some time in this town.
At the moment, I am a dorky cliche’ sitting here watching the snow fall outside my hotel window with a cup of hot cocoa. Being a Californian, it is a treat to be able to experience the snow a couple of times per year. That is, until I am the one in my dorky pilot’s uniform (seriously, a suit? Can we please move on?) going outside in the ten degree or less weather to preflight the airplane. I trudge through the snow, sand, and sometimes de-icing fluid with the wind usually whipping at my face trying to pay attention to my duty at hand instead of trying to finish as fast as possible to get back to the relative comfort of my aluminum chariot. As I run back up the jetway stairs from my preflight adventure, I am reminded of why I don’t live back East and am appreciative of my mild California home. Once inside the chariot, I will proceed to make myself a cup of hot cocoa…obviously a big thing with me in the winter. Oh, and that would be on top of my coffee intake which of course, is a requirement to be able to do my job
Wish me luck tonight!
