Travel Diary

Monday

On this day, Lesly and Terry went to work. The kids were at school, so I just fiddled with my new Macbook all days and got everything organized. It actually reminded me of several years prior, when I first visited them in Taipei. They had to work, so I spent the first full day wandering around the city and following a long jogging trail near a creek.

In Bellevue, there wasn't any jogging trail near a creek, but there was a creek. Nevertheless, I was happy just getting it done and catching up with mail.

In the evening, the others came home, and in due time, I was dropped off at Sea-Tac airport. I had plenty of time and was planning to watch a movie, Star Trek, which I had rented right before coming to Seattle. I was going to watch it on the way over, but ended up reading instead.

I had also decided to check my bag at the gate again (it's always free there and they're happy to do so), but I heard an announcement that they had first-class tickets for sale. An upgrade to first-class was available for $50. Well, now, $50 ... that's pretty cheap. I needed to consider that. I texted Terry and asked if it was worth it to fly first class for that price. He said that it was good to indulge once a while. I knew that it was a short flight, yet I decided to take up the offer. At that time, they only had one space left and I took it.

I also unchecked my bag since finding a place to stow it would no longer be an issue. I also got to board right away since first-class always gets to board first. Ah, the perks were already beginning.

Come to think of it, I believe it was my first time writing first class in an airplane.

And I would say it was worth it. My seat wasn't a window one, but it was in the very first row. I had plenty of room--and I'm someone who doesn't even need a lot of room to begin with. We pretty much got our own stewardess (Not PC, I know--but I was in first class. I bought usage of that old term back) as our personal assistant for the flight. When I boarded, she asked if she could hang up my coat. How nice! Yes, you may! She listed a number of different alcohols we could have. I mean there were wines, and vodkas, and mixed drinks. It was great; however, I couldn't drink any of it. I would be driving home after reaching Oakland. I take no chances.

I did have a cool non-alcoholic mixed drink though. In fact I think I even had two of them. They kept offering refills. She even served us all salads with chicken, even though it was a flight without a meal. Oh, and we were offered mints too. Just all kinds of niceties. I had a great flight. I felt as if I were being treated like royalty. Maybe they found out I had been victorious at the Battle of the Confusing Shields.

Though I still didn’t get to watch my movie as I got into a conversation with the person next to me and the time just flew by. Before I knew it, we were landing.

Being in first-class, we got to deplane first. Normally, I just wait for everyone to get off the plane before I leave. Always seems so much easier to just relax in my seat until the aisles clear. But in this case I was already at the very front, so I might as well leave.

I also had my luggage in hand so I didn't even have to wait for the baggage carousel. I was in the parking lot in five minutes and on my way home about 10 minutes after we landed.

Overall, it was a great trip.

Even with the 49er disaster.

Oh, and I did finally watch that movie since it would expire if I waited. Thus, I was up until 3am and tired for work the next day after all.