Skyway Books – Short Stories – Poems – Books
Feeling the Vibe
Author: admin, Category: Quick stories
Welcome back to the weekly blog. Over the last couple of blogs I had discussed some travel related issues because I was, well, travelling. I have just returned from Las Vegas where I spent 4 days over the US Thanksgiving weekend.
Flying out I splurged a little and flew up front in first class. It’s not the first time I have flown on the other side of the curtain, so I kind of had an idea of what to expect. When I arrived to check in at the Buffalo airport, my flight was so early that the check in counter wasn’t even open. I was however standing on the carpeted “Elite Status” carpeted mat so I was already feeling a special vibe. The check in counter finally opened as did the self serve kiosk where you can check in, print your boarding passes and tell them how many bags you are checking. I had already checked in online at home so I just needed check my bag. It was seconds after I finished that I was called over, before some people that I knew were there before me, and promptly processed. Feeling more of that vibe again.
Once onboard, I found my seat on the plane and settled in for the hour flight to Newark. No jet service here, I was on what some friends of mine have nicknamed a “Salad Chopper”. Translates to the propellers are not spinning fast enough to even chop salad. The flight was surprisingly smooth. After an hour or so in New Jersey, I boarded a real jet this time for my nearly five hour flight west to Vegas. I found my seat by the window and was immediately asked if I needed anything to drink. Well, well. I wondered if they were quenching their thirst back in steerage. I’m thinking no. I was served an orange juice with plenty of ice and settled in for the experience. The seats were comfortable and very wide, but I noticed that there was not a lot of room between my knees and the seat in front of me. There was another seat next to me on the aisle which was occupied. In fact the whole first class section was sold out. Across the aisle I heard a gentleman ordering vodka and soda and continued to so throughout the flight. I wondered if this gentleman knew or even cared that alcohol absorbs into your system twice as fast when you’re at 35,000 feet than on the ground. Being an ex flight attendant I have seen my share of passengers who have bent the elbow a little too much. Not a pretty site.
I almost forgot, time for breakfast. I was served an omelette with a sausage patty, two slices of ham, a generous serving of cold, fresh fruit and strawberry yogurt. Everything was very tasty, even something underneath the omelette that I never figured out what is was, but ate it anyway. Also cinnamon buns were served and later on freshly baked macadamia nut cookies. My tummy was now full and the vibe was still good. Unfortunately nature was now calling. The slug next to me however was sleeping so I would need to wake him to get by. After thinking about it for about thirty seconds, I decided to make my request. He was very cordial about the whole thing. Unlike my seatmate on the way home while I was with the rest of the cattle who was noticeably annoyed at my request for her to move. She looked at me like, “how dare you wake me so you can relieve your busting bladder.” This time I was feeling a different kind of vibe.
All in all it was a decent trip. The slot machines were not nice to me, but I will save that for next time. Until then have a great day and happy reading to everyone!
