It's 4AM and I can't sleep. Jet leg has gotten the better of me. I couldn't sleep in Europe and now I can't sleep here. Hopefully, trying to jot down some thoughts will make me tired.
Anyhoo, where to start? I have lots of story to tell but no idea where to jump in. So I guess I will start at the beginning. I left the USA on Thursday, June 19th at 6PM on an American Airlines flight to London's Heathrow. The travel people at work had given me the choice to stop over in London or Frankfurt, Germany. I chose London. Heathrow in my opinion, is one of the best airports to visit if you are flying Business or First Class. Why? The lounges. Simply said, they are amazing! During my first business trip to London a few years ago I had the distinct pleasure of flying Virgin Airlines, which I believe is the most awesomest airline in the world! I was amazed to find a rather large luxurious space to relax in. The lounge was equipped with large comfey chairs, all the free magazines and newspapers a person could want, an extensive bar equipped with Jack Daniels, a sushi bar, a full buffet of yummy food and yes, even a spa to get a message before your flight and a hair dresser to get a hair cut. Did I mention that all these services were free? I guess when you pay $10,000 for a ticket on Virgin throwing in some sushi is an after thought.
My status at work grants me the traveling privilege of Business Class but ironically enough, it doesn't grant me a car to the airport. Once a person reaches VP status they get to fly First Class and get a car. I have no complaints about Business Class but a ride to the airport would be nice. They have to reimburse you for the shuttle, taxi or mileage anyway so why not provide a car? Luckily, my hubby was able to take me. The day started out with me busily packing. I had put it off till the last minute. I guess I didn't believe I was actually traveling for work again after all the drama. At noon, the car was loaded with one huge suitcase, a studio themed backpack containing movie footage for the big show and my pursue containing a brand new passport. Toby happened to be in town so we meet up with him for a bit of lunch at a Hawaiian restaurant near LAX. He has been very busy working for Bob Knight and was in town to take more photos.
After lunch, we stopped to grab some money for me to convert into Euros (which was a very sad experience - it seemed pathetic only to get half of my hard earned American Dollars back in Euros) and then we made the drive to Terminal 4, the American Airlines terminal at LAX. It's been a while since I last travelled but found the new experience a bit more convenient. When you arrive at American Airlines check-in there are now several self check-in units a traveller is able to use. Instead of waiting in a really long line you walk up to a unit and swipe your passport, drivers license or enter in your airline info. I swiped my fancy new passport - you know, the ones that have some kind of chip in them, that tracks your every move and knows more about you then you do. With one swipe, the computer new it was me and printed up some tickets. I then proceeded to a short line where they weighed my luggage, verified my passport and gave me a gate pass. One tip for those people flying on American Airlines. As of the middle of June, American Airlines started charging for luggage. $15 bucks for the first piece (up to 70 lbs) and $25 for a second. Luckily, my tickets were booked before this rule so I didn't have to pay. I couldn't help but think this new rule sucked. I mean when you travel on a plane don't you expect to take a piece of luggage? And wouldn't you think it would be free? I would rather them include the extra cost in the ticket then trying to find money at the airport. Granted you should have money since you are traveling but that money is supposed to be for fun not to hand over to a greedy airline.
Anyhoo, after being ticketed I proceed to the long line in security. But seeing how smoothly the ticket issuing process was I wasn't stressed or worried I'd miss my plane. I got to the airport at the recommended time and found myself with 2 hours to spare. So I called the hubby to complain that I was bored. He asked me if I had anything to read or if I had gotten out my earphones to listen to some music. I said no. We chatted a bit and then I hung up and tried to settle in for a 2 hour wait. I get fidgety. So I open up my backpack and there inside is a brown package which I did not pack, that had a card with my name on it along with some drawings (dancing girls, a windmill, a red light district drawing). A big smile crossed my face as surely this was the work of my thoughtful hubby. I opened up the package and it was a small travel book on Things to Do in Amsterdam. There were little hair clips that were used as book markers (that I wore everyday so I could feel like the hubby was with me). I opened up the card and there was yet another sweet note from my hubby wishing me safe journeying and fun. The touching gesture made me miss my husband terribly and it was only an hour into my trip. I called my hubby again and left a message thanking him for being the best hubby in the world.
The next hours few by with a book to read. I boarded the plane and found my seat in Business Class. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the huge chair that was able to recline into a bed and a bunch of leg room to surround me. A nice woman came and offered me champaign and once again, I felt like I was living in an episode of Life Styles of the Rich and Famous. After glancing through the specially printed menu and selecting one of the gourmet meals I found myself with yet another glass of champaign and a copy of USA Today. With my Bose earphones, that were only given out to Business and First Class, I was ready to watch some of the several of movies and TV shows that awaited my on my little TV screen. I browsed through my little vanity pack they provided and got out the eye mask just in case I needed to sleep. With a my large fluffy pillow and soft comforter (not one of those thin blankets) I was all settled in for my 10 hour flight.
Although there was plenty of time to sleep I just couldn't. I guess I was too excited. I ended up watching some movies I hadn't seen in the theatres like BUCKET LIST and THE OTHER BOLIN GIRL and some 30 ROCK episodes. The food was good and the liquor was flowing. In Business Class you can drink as much as you would like and pretty much ask for anything. I felt like a Queen.
I arrived in London on the 20th at noon. I did a bit a browsing at the the duty free store and then headed up to the lounge. It wasn't the same lounge as the Virgin one but it was just as amazing. After grabbing a snack and a drink I found a computer and logged into work. It was weird being on that side of the world and seeing all the emails come in. After checking all my new mail I read a few papers.
I didn't know until the day before I left that I would be on the same flight to Amsterdam as my work friends from the London Office. So I didn't have to worry about keeping entertained for another two hour plane ride as I had lots of friends to talk to. I ended up sitting by this guy who I hadn't meet before but knew for years via email. We shared a bottle of champaign and talked about how weird it was to meet in person. I got my packet of schedules from one of my London Supervisors and glanced through. I was in for a busy three days.
We landed two hours later and I found myself with two chums I talk to every morning before London closes. We took a taxi (FYI - all taxis in Amsterdam are Mercedes) to The Okura Hotel. It was hard for me to keep focus (big surprise) as I was caught between taking photos of all the cool things we were passing and talking to my colleagues. During the ride I saw some billboards that I had made the artwork for. I had one of those "My work really is being used around the world" moments and continued to talk till we arrived at the hotel.
At $495 Euros a night (that is freakin $1000 US dollars) the Okura Hotel was fancy. From my handy dandy book, the hub gave me, I found out it was a five star hotel in the Pijp district. I couldn't believe we were staying in a five star place! Traveling on business is sweet I thought!
To be continued ( I am a little tired now).
Anyhoo, where to start? I have lots of story to tell but no idea where to jump in. So I guess I will start at the beginning. I left the USA on Thursday, June 19th at 6PM on an American Airlines flight to London's Heathrow. The travel people at work had given me the choice to stop over in London or Frankfurt, Germany. I chose London. Heathrow in my opinion, is one of the best airports to visit if you are flying Business or First Class. Why? The lounges. Simply said, they are amazing! During my first business trip to London a few years ago I had the distinct pleasure of flying Virgin Airlines, which I believe is the most awesomest airline in the world! I was amazed to find a rather large luxurious space to relax in. The lounge was equipped with large comfey chairs, all the free magazines and newspapers a person could want, an extensive bar equipped with Jack Daniels, a sushi bar, a full buffet of yummy food and yes, even a spa to get a message before your flight and a hair dresser to get a hair cut. Did I mention that all these services were free? I guess when you pay $10,000 for a ticket on Virgin throwing in some sushi is an after thought.
My status at work grants me the traveling privilege of Business Class but ironically enough, it doesn't grant me a car to the airport. Once a person reaches VP status they get to fly First Class and get a car. I have no complaints about Business Class but a ride to the airport would be nice. They have to reimburse you for the shuttle, taxi or mileage anyway so why not provide a car? Luckily, my hubby was able to take me. The day started out with me busily packing. I had put it off till the last minute. I guess I didn't believe I was actually traveling for work again after all the drama. At noon, the car was loaded with one huge suitcase, a studio themed backpack containing movie footage for the big show and my pursue containing a brand new passport. Toby happened to be in town so we meet up with him for a bit of lunch at a Hawaiian restaurant near LAX. He has been very busy working for Bob Knight and was in town to take more photos.
After lunch, we stopped to grab some money for me to convert into Euros (which was a very sad experience - it seemed pathetic only to get half of my hard earned American Dollars back in Euros) and then we made the drive to Terminal 4, the American Airlines terminal at LAX. It's been a while since I last travelled but found the new experience a bit more convenient. When you arrive at American Airlines check-in there are now several self check-in units a traveller is able to use. Instead of waiting in a really long line you walk up to a unit and swipe your passport, drivers license or enter in your airline info. I swiped my fancy new passport - you know, the ones that have some kind of chip in them, that tracks your every move and knows more about you then you do. With one swipe, the computer new it was me and printed up some tickets. I then proceeded to a short line where they weighed my luggage, verified my passport and gave me a gate pass. One tip for those people flying on American Airlines. As of the middle of June, American Airlines started charging for luggage. $15 bucks for the first piece (up to 70 lbs) and $25 for a second. Luckily, my tickets were booked before this rule so I didn't have to pay. I couldn't help but think this new rule sucked. I mean when you travel on a plane don't you expect to take a piece of luggage? And wouldn't you think it would be free? I would rather them include the extra cost in the ticket then trying to find money at the airport. Granted you should have money since you are traveling but that money is supposed to be for fun not to hand over to a greedy airline.
Anyhoo, after being ticketed I proceed to the long line in security. But seeing how smoothly the ticket issuing process was I wasn't stressed or worried I'd miss my plane. I got to the airport at the recommended time and found myself with 2 hours to spare. So I called the hubby to complain that I was bored. He asked me if I had anything to read or if I had gotten out my earphones to listen to some music. I said no. We chatted a bit and then I hung up and tried to settle in for a 2 hour wait. I get fidgety. So I open up my backpack and there inside is a brown package which I did not pack, that had a card with my name on it along with some drawings (dancing girls, a windmill, a red light district drawing). A big smile crossed my face as surely this was the work of my thoughtful hubby. I opened up the package and it was a small travel book on Things to Do in Amsterdam. There were little hair clips that were used as book markers (that I wore everyday so I could feel like the hubby was with me). I opened up the card and there was yet another sweet note from my hubby wishing me safe journeying and fun. The touching gesture made me miss my husband terribly and it was only an hour into my trip. I called my hubby again and left a message thanking him for being the best hubby in the world.
The next hours few by with a book to read. I boarded the plane and found my seat in Business Class. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the huge chair that was able to recline into a bed and a bunch of leg room to surround me. A nice woman came and offered me champaign and once again, I felt like I was living in an episode of Life Styles of the Rich and Famous. After glancing through the specially printed menu and selecting one of the gourmet meals I found myself with yet another glass of champaign and a copy of USA Today. With my Bose earphones, that were only given out to Business and First Class, I was ready to watch some of the several of movies and TV shows that awaited my on my little TV screen. I browsed through my little vanity pack they provided and got out the eye mask just in case I needed to sleep. With a my large fluffy pillow and soft comforter (not one of those thin blankets) I was all settled in for my 10 hour flight.
Although there was plenty of time to sleep I just couldn't. I guess I was too excited. I ended up watching some movies I hadn't seen in the theatres like BUCKET LIST and THE OTHER BOLIN GIRL and some 30 ROCK episodes. The food was good and the liquor was flowing. In Business Class you can drink as much as you would like and pretty much ask for anything. I felt like a Queen.
I arrived in London on the 20th at noon. I did a bit a browsing at the the duty free store and then headed up to the lounge. It wasn't the same lounge as the Virgin one but it was just as amazing. After grabbing a snack and a drink I found a computer and logged into work. It was weird being on that side of the world and seeing all the emails come in. After checking all my new mail I read a few papers.
I didn't know until the day before I left that I would be on the same flight to Amsterdam as my work friends from the London Office. So I didn't have to worry about keeping entertained for another two hour plane ride as I had lots of friends to talk to. I ended up sitting by this guy who I hadn't meet before but knew for years via email. We shared a bottle of champaign and talked about how weird it was to meet in person. I got my packet of schedules from one of my London Supervisors and glanced through. I was in for a busy three days.
We landed two hours later and I found myself with two chums I talk to every morning before London closes. We took a taxi (FYI - all taxis in Amsterdam are Mercedes) to The Okura Hotel. It was hard for me to keep focus (big surprise) as I was caught between taking photos of all the cool things we were passing and talking to my colleagues. During the ride I saw some billboards that I had made the artwork for. I had one of those "My work really is being used around the world" moments and continued to talk till we arrived at the hotel.
At $495 Euros a night (that is freakin $1000 US dollars) the Okura Hotel was fancy. From my handy dandy book, the hub gave me, I found out it was a five star hotel in the Pijp district. I couldn't believe we were staying in a five star place! Traveling on business is sweet I thought!
To be continued ( I am a little tired now).
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