Today I celebrate that moment the last person enters the plane for a red eye flight, and walks right by your row leaving an empty seat:
I’m all about talking to strangers, but room to stretch and snooze on a long overnight journey sitting in coach is like, hallelujah! These blue lollipops always bring me good luck:
…some say they have a little mojo. (Wink.) I believe!
Empty suitcases typically mean adventure awaits. It doesn’t matter if your adventure is across the state or across the country, it just feels good to be excited about going somewhere old or new. Taking off to go hug someone you love is like the. Best. Thing.
(I’m not sure I thought I’d ever type either of those things.)
It was an accidental first class booking, or at least, lets assume so- and it was the best accident ever. The night before my flight when I saw “first” in the email confirmation, I jumped for joy, spun around, called to confirm that could possibly be correct, squealed, clapped, texted a few people with lots of smiley-face emoticons, screeched, and then of course, could not stop singing & dancing to this:
We flying the first class
Up in the sky
Poppin’ champagne
Livin’ the life…
All 50 states and 17 countries, 20+ years of travel and I have never once flown first class until now. What?! Seems crazy but true. Never a bump up, freebie, not one single “Attention ladies and gentleman in the concourse…we have overbooked! If anyone would kindly volunteer to give up their seat, we will put you on the next flight in first class, love you forever, give you a unicorn, and award you a 6 billion dollar voucher for your next flight.”
Never.
I always say I have really expensive taste, but I don’t practice it/use it often. I’d rather spend $500 going out to 10 lunches or dinners with friends, or on 10 gas fill-ups for my car to go see my family, than on a first class upgrade- but man, after my experience last week, I can sort of see what all the fuss is about. (And from what I understand, my first class experience was pretty low-key compared to overseas flights/flights on newer planes.)
Giddy me boarded so early it was still dark out, but that didn’t stop me from ordering a mimosa pre-flight, just because I could:
…and then another as soon as we took off:
…you know- just because I could…again.
It was so fun. Mimosa at 6:48am felt a bit strange, but the triathlete guy sitting next to me had 2 Baileys with coffee, so I convinced myself I was still a responsible adult on a Thursday morning watching the sunrise:
The window could’ve used a little cleaning, but I was in heaven, streaks and all. Then a bit later, this gorgeous blue view:
For a small town, coach-flying, minimalist girl- this was a treat like no other. What kind of 37 year old get’s that excited about a first class flight? Me. Loved every minute of it. For all the fancy freshest-ever food & wine I’ve ever consumed, and all the highfalutin events I’ve ended up at somehow during my adventures, I’ve likely rolled up in a $20 dress and driving my 2004 Honda Civic with 220k miles on it. I hope I never turn a shoulder to my frugal habits or my nerd-alert excitement for occasional posh things either. It’s a good things to experience both sides, feel spoiled- and still always remember what’s truly important. For now I still feel high from that flight and I can’t wait to squeal and screech like a kid when the next bonus thing like CLT>LBB drops in my lap.
So fun.
When did you last get all buzzy and fuzzy because of a treat?
I’m on a bit of a Monday kick lately. A seize the day-let’s crush it-go get it-make it happen, kind of kick. Why not? Life is short- inspire yourself! I’m digging it. After a crazy busy work weekend, this Monday kicks off on an airplane to a week of fun and writing focus:
Besides family & friends, some of my favorite things include travel, chocolate, and wine, so I’m headed to get some of the best and I can’t wait. T-11 hours until I’ll be standing in fabulous company with a glass of liquid grape in my hand. Whoop!
This morning while a passenger behind me in line during check-in grumpily yelled at the ticketing agent, I chatted happily & laughed with the nice guy behind me. While groups of business people rushed to their gates, I stood in the sun-drenched windows, staring at the planes, daydreaming like an excited kid heading off to Disneyland:
I love airports; the people that are a little off their rockers, the chaos of air travel commuters, those with the thrill of the trip of a lifetime happening, the anticipation of going to see someone you love, the start of a new life adventure…all that energy and madness! (And people watching is the best, of course. Humans are never-fail entertainment and always interesting to study.)
