So…day one started a little early in my book, especially since I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. Mom dropped me off at the airport and I flew away. I’m usually baffled by the security we go through at the airport. I’m not real scared of the 50 year old ladies bringing their lighters on the flight, but what I don’t know about airport security could fill the Grand Canyon. Anyway, we all seem to accept the ritual at airport security, put out heads down, take our shoes off, hope the machine doesn’t beep, show your boarding pass for the 8th time, and move with meaning toward our departure gate.
First stop was Denver. I always walk through the airport expecting to see people I know, but today that didn’t happen. I’m even more alert in airports like Denver and Washington DC. Considering that about 125,000 people move through DIA each day (Yes, more people fly in and out of DIA each day than live in Billings) I don’t know why I’m so sure I’ll see somebody I know just walking through the concourse. The nice ticket counter lady in Denver told me that United alone handles 30 to 40 thousand airline passengers each day.
I’m a bit amused with all the hoopla that now goes on trying to impress travelers. I think United had no less than 4 different VIP groups that had various perks associated with boarding the airplane. I’ve never understood why the people in first class want to get on the plane so early. But then again, I’ve never flown first class. I do think they take some satisfaction in watching the steerage head to the back of the plane while they sit with a drink in their hand. United even has a red carpet for special VIP boarding. I was in economy class, so no perks for me.
The flights were uneventful and I landed in DC at about 4PM local time. I took the Metro to Dupont Circle and hiked up to the motel. I’ve stayed at the Jury’s Normandy before, so it was a little old home week for me.
I had to come down a couple of blocks to the Courtyard by Marriott to find a computer. I need to check on the details of the Nationals Baseball Game. I got my times and route and headed over to the ball park. I was able to scalp a $34 ticket for $20. Thus, my $10 supper of a sausage and Diet Pepsi didn’t seem as ridiculous. I guess my evening washed out about even on what I was going to spend.
I left in the 8th inning with the Nat’s up 5 to 1. Checking the scoreboard I see the Pirates scored 4 in the 8th to tie the game and the Nat’s scored one in the ninth to win. Maybe I should have stayed a little longer.
Well I should get going. I have a few more things I jotted down to write about. They were airport related, so I’ll relay them the next time I fly. That would be Friday.
Tomorrow I will talk about the day but I also want to cover the fact that this whole fellowship opportunity still hasn’t fully sunk in yet.
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1 comments:
Glad to see you survived the first leg of your trip. It was fun reading your account of the flight, I plan on taking my first trip to Europe vicariously through you. You're a pretty good writer, but I'm a visual learner, maybe you could post some pictures of some of the interesting things you see along the way?? Hope you have a great week and your next flight goes as well or better than the first.
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