What’s the first place you remember travelling?
flying back to Buffalo from Phx, or Phx to Buffalo. I threw up the whole way. I was about 39. 4-ish
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you while travelling?
I’ll have to think on that. I am usually a bundle of nerves flying. I LOVE to fly, too. It’s the feeling like a criminal with TSA every time. Side note, i was in Asia last fall going through a few countries.*** Their airport people are NICE. They are all helpful, and smile. No bullshit about shoes or liquids, either. Even the customs people smiled and were helpful. It blew my mind. When we got back into the states, a TSA guy was screaming instructions at passengers when we landed. Most of the plane was Asian people, who didn’t understand while they were being yelled at. It was sad. I get security, but I don’t get why they have to be dicks.
So, for this question about a zany anecdote, I am going to have to think back to a road trip. Wait, in Barcelona, people park everywhere anywhere. Going out to eat, just pull up on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. Most folks there, quite wisely, are all on scooters.
What’s the worst thing that ever happened to you while travelling?
flying to Florida. Super super bad turbulence. So bad we thought we were going to die. Like, those air things dropping from the ceiling and people crying. I literally made peace with my death in that moment. Then, I got angry. It kept going like that for about 40 minutes. I remember saying “if I have to die, ok, but can we get this over with. I learned later that the pilot was chatting with our stewardess and said it was the second worst turbulence he had ever seen. I felt a little better after that.
I also remember thinking ‘why aren’t they saying anything?’… you know, pilot banter like ‘ok folks, we have a little turbulence, everything will be ok. We are going to fly around this storm and things will be back to normal soon.’ That didn’t happen. I realize now the pilots were literally holding on for dear life, just like we were. No time to chat, they have 300 people to keep alive. And they did. Thank you, gentlemen. A gal that was with me on that trip has never flown again after that. Thanks, Obama.
What’s the furthest place from home you’ve ever traveled?
Asia. Flew from Denver, to Los Angeles, South Korea, to Thailand. 14 hours in the air, non stop. Then, a 1 minute layover in Korea, and hauling ass to the next gate for the 6 hour flight. Here is far across the Earth that is. It is exactly half way across the Earth. Here is how I know. If you leave from East of the Kansas, you fly the other direction, across the Atlantic, through Africa. Believe it or not, its the same distance to South Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc) remember thinking on that second flight ‘I am sure Thailand will be great, but i am NEVER doing 20 hours of flying again. That was hell.’
After two days in Bangkok, eating Pad Thai off the street for a $1, I knew it was way worth it. Once I got to the beach,**** well, I was ready to not come home ever. Of course, I was unemployed at the time, so it was kinda an option. Don’t tell the fish I said that.
Where is the next place you hope to travel?
Internationally? Cuba. Here is why. We have to go QUICK. We are in the sweet spot in history. Travel is open to Cuba for the first time in 50 years. Why now, though? American money is going to fly in and turn it into a soul-less Miami resort town within a decade. Right now, they are still stuck in the 50’s, on many levels. We have 5 years, tops, I figure, to go and actually experience Cuba.
Domestically, you can NEVER go wrong with Seattle or San Fran.
*** yes, it is true. I do just like to say ‘well, when I was in Thailand last fall…’
**** I was actually there, though it isn’t my photo above. It was even more amazing, AND we went snorkeling there.
I am Correct 