Lessons Learned Part 2

By Retired RamblingAugust 11, 2016 ( 2 )

I have been back from our European vacation for a little over a week and have had time to think about part two of the lessons I have learned.

1. FLY FIRST CLASS. This became crystal clear to me when we were flying home from London. Greg had scored some first class tickets from our frequent flyer miles. Apparently, it is about $8,000 if you paid the cash price. But as far as I’m concerned it is absolutely, without a doubt in my mind worth the expense. To begin with, you get to spend your time at the airport in the Sky Lounge. When you enter the doors the hostess offers you champagne, cooks you breakfast and they offer the most prized commodity in an airport. Peace and quiet.

Next, you board the plane and enter Nirvana. Your own private pod, with a massaging chair that turns into a bed, television, blanket, pillow, Bose headphones, pjs, slippers and a Cole Haan convience kit, complete with eye shades, socks, toothbrush, lotions etc. They offer you a drink (in crystal) warm nuts, appetizers, entrees, snacks, and an ice cream sundae for desert. They had me at the warm nuts.

My palatial pod in first class

2. MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS HAVE CHANGE with you because it may cost you to use the toilet

In many places it’s going to cost you to pee

3. “GOD LOVES A TRIER” you should always ask, the worst anyone can say is no. The ticket agent in London told me this when I asked, hopefully if we could get theatre tickets for that night. I love that expression, we ended up with great seats to Kinky Boots.

At the theatre for Kinky boots

4. IN MOST EUROPEAN HOTELS YOU MUST PLACE YOUR HOTEL KEY IN A SLOT for the ac and lights to work.

5. EXPLORE NEW PLACES on your own don’t always need a tour

The road less traveled may be the best one of all

6. IT IS MUCH HARDER TO EVESDROP when you don’t know the language.

7. EAT LIKE A LOCAL, it’s always fresh and delicious.

Local homemade pasta, seafood and squid ink

8. Please “MIND THE GAP WHEN DEPARTING FROM THE TRAIN” in Great Britain this is your reminder to not fall between the train and the platform.

9. MEET NEW PEOPLE, they have different life experiences than you.

A sweet couple from Seattle that we met in Cinque Terre

10. IN EUROPE MOST PUBLIC BUILDINGS DO NOT HAVE AIR CONDITIONING, so dress accordingly.

11. BYOB bring your own bag to the grocery store. If you don’t you will be charged for one.

12. EXPERIENCES, NOT THINGS, or at just small things that you have room for in your bag.

A sign on our hike in Cinque Terre, where we were rewarded with phenomenal views

13. IN MOST RESTAURANTS AND BARS the toilet will likely be located down a dark set of stairs. don’t worry if the light goes off, just jump out of the stall and wave your arms like a crazy person, the lights will likely go back on. This actually happened to me in Corsica when I was trying to change out of my bathing suit.

Walk down this way to the bathroom……

14. BEWARE OF WONKY WIFI, just because they say they have wifi does not mean you can connect.

15. LOOK TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT (they may drive on a different side of the road than us)

16. GO WITH THE FLOW, not everything will go as you planned, enjoy the journey.

17. FOLLOW THE LINE LEADER, he will always get you home.

My Line Leader

18. LIFE GOES ON WHEN YOU ARE AWAY, so get over it. But have someone check on your house while you are away. Things may break, like our air conditioner in 115 degree temperature.