Here I will record some reflections on our current trip to Alabama. We travelled yesterday (26) starting in a taxi at 4:15 GMT. My first reflection relates to a conversation with the taxi driver. He was talking about the 'Winter Market' that happens in Billericay on December 1st. I know this better as the Christmas Market., but it seems that the politically correct lobby have made Christmas into a toxic word.
The journey was uneventful and we arrived at the airport at the planned time - way too early. Bag drop was straight forward, security checks were completed quickly and we were having breakfast with two hours to spare. The porridge was not very warm and the toppings rather limited, so started a day of airline food.
The flight to Amsterdam was comfortable and we arrived on time. A visit to the Irish themed pub for a pint of German larger and some well known Irish folk music (Bryan Adams) set me wondering whether the global 'western culture' could allow any distinguishing features of a local culture beyond the superficial to permeate the atmosphere.
One of the two hours had passed so we joined the queue for the security checks. A slow, frustrating and apparently pointless exercise, as we had already been checked in London, at least my shoulder injuries showed up on the scan (first time ever).
The flight to Atlanta was less comfortable with three periods of turbulence where the cabin crew were ordered to their seats and one very sharp ascent as we were waiting to land. Being in the tail of the plane is always less comfortable. The controls for the video were almost warn out, so it was unnecessarily hard to navigate. When planes are maintained do the passengers ever get considered.?
We arrived on time. Immigration and customs was quicker than in the past and the immigration officer was really friendly, as we left his "Welcome to America, don't eat too much turkey" sounded much more sincere than usual.
Our pick up from the airport was late because of the heavy traffic, and a serious accident, so to avoid sitting in traffic we had some food with Robert's family at the Cracker Barrel in Lithia Springs before heading to Auburn. The Rainbow Trout was as good as I remember it. Robert's family are always welcoming and it was a good hour or so. We finally got to hold Robbie.
Then 'home'.
The day started at 3:15 GMT and ended at about 11 pm CET about 26 hours.
The journey was uneventful and we arrived at the airport at the planned time - way too early. Bag drop was straight forward, security checks were completed quickly and we were having breakfast with two hours to spare. The porridge was not very warm and the toppings rather limited, so started a day of airline food.
The flight to Amsterdam was comfortable and we arrived on time. A visit to the Irish themed pub for a pint of German larger and some well known Irish folk music (Bryan Adams) set me wondering whether the global 'western culture' could allow any distinguishing features of a local culture beyond the superficial to permeate the atmosphere.
One of the two hours had passed so we joined the queue for the security checks. A slow, frustrating and apparently pointless exercise, as we had already been checked in London, at least my shoulder injuries showed up on the scan (first time ever).
The flight to Atlanta was less comfortable with three periods of turbulence where the cabin crew were ordered to their seats and one very sharp ascent as we were waiting to land. Being in the tail of the plane is always less comfortable. The controls for the video were almost warn out, so it was unnecessarily hard to navigate. When planes are maintained do the passengers ever get considered.?
We arrived on time. Immigration and customs was quicker than in the past and the immigration officer was really friendly, as we left his "Welcome to America, don't eat too much turkey" sounded much more sincere than usual.
Our pick up from the airport was late because of the heavy traffic, and a serious accident, so to avoid sitting in traffic we had some food with Robert's family at the Cracker Barrel in Lithia Springs before heading to Auburn. The Rainbow Trout was as good as I remember it. Robert's family are always welcoming and it was a good hour or so. We finally got to hold Robbie.
Then 'home'.
The day started at 3:15 GMT and ended at about 11 pm CET about 26 hours.
posted from Bloggeroid
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