It's All About the Miles

We presently have more than a dozen future flights booked with Delta and we frequently check our bookings for schedule changes. One of our trips is coming home from Quebec by way of New York (JFK) and Salt Lake City (SLC). We made this booking when we bought the train tickets across Canada from Vancouver, B.C. back in November. We paid for the flight with accrued miles plus a few hundred dollars in taxes and fees.

 

Wouldn't you know, the little regional airline company (Delta Code-Share) that takes us to JFK changed their schedule to a 5:15 a.m. departure from Quebec. Delta took it on themselves to change our itinerary to earlier flights from JFK and SLC which we would normally applaud, BUT, the seats we had on the original flights were premium "Comfort+" and we got really bad seat assignments on the revised schedule. Now JFK to Salt Lake is over 5 hours and in seats that don't recline would be torturous. O.K., so our Platinum Elite Plus status with Delta has made us a little spoiled.

 

Hey, we're still learning… Four phone calls to Delta's Premium Sales line and exploring half a dozen alternatives taught us a few things:

 

1.     Purchasing a flight with miles is a non-revenue flight and puts us at the bottom of the pecking order in terms of complimentary upgrades.

2.     We can't use the upgrade certificates in our account on non-rev flights.

3.     We can't revert to our original bookings from JFK to Reno (which would mean a 7 hour layover at JFK) because everything on the later flights are sold out.

 

Somewhere in the discussions and looking for alternative routings using the "Flexible Dates" feature on Delta.com revealed a First Class fare on the day before our original departure of under $600 USD; what a steal! All three legs of the trip in the forward cabin? Hey, I can go for it. First Class fares from the East Coast are usually over $1,500 and then some.

 

So a fifth call to Premium Sales and we learned a couple more things:

 

1.     Talking to a real person can get you what you want if you ask the right questions

2.     The 25,000 miles we paid for the original itinerary goes immediately back into our account

3.     The taxes and fees are refunded, so the cost of the new First Class ticket is under $500 net.

 

We still love Delta…

 

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World Plugs by Country

http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm

Elephants

This goes to show that you can't fool mother nature.

Click Here

 https://youtu.be/NdTII_unZSA

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B & B's

B & B’s

The Evolution of Travel

Introduction

A good story should always start with ”in the day”, don't you think?

At least it helps me to recapture images and experiences and in forty+ years of travel we have certainly seen changes in travelers and accommodations. Travelers these days have larger expectations and I believe accommodations have changed to meet them. Technology has played a big part in making information available and assist in planning, getting where you want to go, when. Travel has become more accessible to more people,  modes of transport have become able to accommodate more people with a broader appetite for comfort and travel appeals to more people than “in the day”.

In the day, we would book a flight to Europe and accommodations for the first night at or near our destination and “wing it” from there. We knew where we wanted to go and experience but there was little competition for places to sleep. “Zimmers” in Germany and B&B’s elsewhere were simply rooms in private homes that could be negotiated for one or two nights; included a shared toilet down the hall, a hot water bottle or extra blanket and breakfast with the family and family pets. We occasionally had the pleasure of a family pet sleeping at the foot of our bed.

The owner’s expected that guests would go out and about during the day or move on to their next destination. They would often ask about our plans for the day and help us make arrangements for our next stop.
(to be continued...)

The Outdoor Cafe

The Outdoor Cafe

By Jay

We find ourselves wondering what it is that draws us to foreign countries, wanting to leave the familiarity of the good old U.S. and our friends and family. It certainly can't be difficult languages and currencies, confusing transportation systems or unfamiliar food. It must be something that is uniquely enjoyable and difficult to find at home. One of these things might be the outdoor or sidewalk cafe.

The outdoor cafe is an institution in many countries we visit; one of the most intriguing things that we love and look for in our travels. These places are fun to be in and to watch. People gather here in a relaxed mood or engaged with others. Coffee, Cappuccino, Wine; with snacks or cheese or other accompaniments attract the pallet, people make up the rest of the experience. It is a small price of admission to a live theatre.

Most outdoor cafes would have a difficult time with the strict regulations imposed on eating and drinking establishments and traffic standards in the U.S. It is quite common here to be seated curbside with cars and motorbikes whizzing by your elbow. In many cases a restaurant or cafe will have tables that are on opposite sides of the street with waiters negotiating the traffic carrying trays of drinks and food. Adjacent establishments will often distinguish their territory with different colored chairs, tables and umbrellas. Most will have a chalked menu on a sandwich board or attached to a post or wall. In some heavy tourist area they may have menu displays in multiple languages. This is rare in France but we do see menus with pictures occasionally. It pays to have a modicum of understanding of a country's customs and preferences when ordering food or drink. What you read or interpret on a sign or menu may or may not be even close to your actual experience and the more close that the item matches a literal meaning in the U.S. is cause to be especially careful. We had a most unpleasant "Cheeseburger" in Paris on our last visit there. It was more like Steak tartare smothered with a gooey harsh cheese and mayo...served cold. French fries, in almost any country will come close to a familiar texture, shape and flavor, but don't count on it. We have had some pretty ugly imitations.

One thing that we notice in Europe, France in particular, are the number of people smoking. This can be a distraction (along with the dog poop) especially when people are smoking at an adjacent table. It is particularly disturbing to see the young people smoking and imagining their future health problems.

Relaxing in an outdoor cafe may be the penultimate form of voyeurism. We hear quiet, thoughtful conversations and because we do not understand the language we can only speculate as to the relationship between the couples or group of people we see sharing a table. In France it seems to be O.K. for public displays of affection; not so in many other countries. Viva la France!

We sometimes see very animated discussions and by the tone and expressions it is difficult to determine if there is anguish, conflict or something else going on between the participants. They, at least,  take their time about it; in fact people in France seem to relish free time and you can read much about the workforce in France and their propensity for long periods of non-work. Another "Viva la france!"

Cancun Here We Come

We are on our way to Cancun. Yes, that's right we only just got home a week ago... but hey we needed a break. Not really, but when we discovered we had a $2,400 credit for Delta airlines that was only good until mid-August (the literal interpretation we discovered is that we had to travel not just book by this time). Looking at our schedules and with a trip planned to Boston in July and upcoming dental appointments left us with little wiggle room...so it's go, go, go for us.

What was interesting when deciding where to go, turned out to be somewhat a chore (Really, we need to get a grip and give thanks). We spent close to an hour pondering spots to go. New Orleans... no just there, Quebec... too many plane changes, Montana too close, Hawaii.... just been there. Okay maybe Mexico. We have been to numerous places in Mexico but never to Cancun. That fact and the direct flight from Salt Lake made it a winner; besides the US State Department says Cancun is not under a travel advisory like most of Mexico (Meaning there has been fewer kidnappings, rapes and murders than other parts of the country). It is a well known fact the police have lost control, but what else is new. Unfortunately we have found out although Cancun's weather is nice and warm, they are also predicting thunderstorms and some rain, maybe a hurricane here or there. Oh well, so much for continuing to work on that tan. Cancun here we come, rain or shine.

We are traveling first class again because we had bucks to buy a first class ticket. It strikes me how much of a snob I really am. When I fly first class and Delta airlines runs out of champagne I am annoyed. I am annoyed when the raviolis are not quite to my liking, and the chocolate Sea Salt brownie tastes like something from packaged goods in a 7-11 store (I think they may be "Little Debbies" brand) but what is most irritating is the economy class passengers using our first class restroom (Now I know why the first class passengers are given real knives.) I comment to Jay, "Why can't those whoville people use their own restroom?" He replies, "Like we do when we are in economy class?" I reply, "That's different."

We are unfortunate to be flying with about 20 members of the "Shultz" family. We know this because they are all wearing "Shultz Family 2015 Reunion" light blue tee shirts.  That combined with the fact 19 young and old Shultz's have paraded to the first class bathroom. They are a happy lot, probably because they are taking a trip of their lifetime and probably because Grandpa Shultz is paying for it.  

Mexico ranks way up there with China, India and Egypt as a country having the most irritating touts.  On our visit to Cabo San Lucas a couple of years ago you had to literally fight your way through the airport amongst those who want you to buy a timeshares, stay in a vacation resorts, or sign up for leisure activities. In addition, there are dozens and dozens of taxi and transfer drivers waiting and wanting to transport you to your hotel. If given half a chance they will grab your bag and wisp you off with a big smile on their face.

We have learned it is worth paying the extra money to have our hotel have a driver waiting for us with a placard with our name on it. We have also learned other touts given the opportunity will copy your name they see on those placards and pretend they are your real driver. Thus the hotel will give you secret clues so you get the right driver. They will describe to you how the official driver is dressed and the particular location he will be standing. Of course the driver will only flash your name periodically, so other touts cannot copy it. It is actually like a secret agent mission. Now was it the guy in the khaki pants and blue shirt or the guy in blue pants and khaki shirt? I forget and don't have a clue. Maybe we were supposed to meet Professor Plum in the library holding a candlestick. But not to worry, we usually find our driver and pray we are not taken to a dark alley.  Of course if you are one of the Shultz family they will not be accosted by any of the touts, because doing so would mean putting up with the whole “fam-damily” and touts know it's not worth their trouble.

It is only a week since we have been home but I am happy to be travelling again. I look forward to our week in Cancun, and can only hope the Shultz family will not be staying at our hotel.  We are staying in a large resort thank God it is not an all- inclusive where you are served leftovers day and night, and you have to fight the crowds at the bar for watered down "well" drinks.  The Grand Fiesta Resort is large, meaning there will be a lot of tourists… meaning there is probably a lot more to write about since I am such a people loving person. LOL... To be continued.

Air Travel by Jay

Perhaps I am putting too much negative spin on traveling by air, but flying to a distant place is only fun when the aircraft is doing what it is designed to do, "flying". Airport time is the least enjoyable aspect of travel and the most tiring.

There is a lot of dread associated with traveling to a foreign country, especially one with a significantly different culture such as Vietnam. We worry in all of our trips about missed connections,  diverted or delayed flights, fellow travelers with bad behavior (we've seen our share of this), long layovers, other disappointments that come up in every travel experience. We have learned from our extensive travel experience to "go with it" and "adjust" to the circumstances. The unique challenges that come up can be anticipated and managed thorough research, study and preparations and it is very evident when we have missed an important point. It can also be quite frustrating to watch the unprepared and inexperienced traveler finding their way through the embarkation and disembarkation process, particularly when they are so oblivious to the two to three hundred people that are waiting in line behind them.

We had an oft-repeated experience on this trip that was truly frustrating in the extreme. When the "pre-boarding" announcement was made we watched in horror as the queue formed and "excuses" for pre-boarding jammed up the system while we waited in the "Sky Priority" line and watched a good one hundred people board, or I should say, fill the jet way and aisles. I don't mean to be insensitive but on another trip we watched a guy pull a sling out of his attaché, put his arm in it and board with impunity.

The other boarding frustration that we witness too frequently is the patent disregard for number, configuration and size of "carry-on" luggage. We watch people trying to jam oversized luggage in the overhead bin, much to the detriment of other people trying to get to their seats and there is always one person that decides this would be a good time to extract something from the suitcase while further delaying the boarding.