Here is the beginning of my tale. A capricious tale of travel and observations.
It is the tale similar to the Odyssey (okay maybe that's stretching it). Traveling from place to place, sometimes with strangers, sometimes with people I know, seeking personal satisfaction, a greater meaning to life, and Aeroplan Elite status. Looks like within the next month I’m going to visit the major North American metropolitan destinations as well as a jaunt across the pond to London. I thought you may be interested in hearing (reading) my tale as I go.
WARNING: MAY OFFEND SOME due to slanderous remarks about the transportation system and other stupid people in general
Background info: I have not bought soap in over 4 years. And I was building a very large individually wrapped shower cap collection until I realized I was never going to use one. Okay, so I’ve been doing this traveling thing for a bit. I know never to check baggage, even on a weeklong. I know always to bring headphones even if you don’t have music, so that you can put them on incase the person next to you seems like a “chatter”. And I know that being a flight attendant must be the worst job in the world.
Why do people only ever drink Clamato on the plane?
Date: January 8th & 9th, 2001
Destination #1: Kansas City, Kansas/Kansas City, Missouri (actually Lenexa, Kansas)
Pop: 453 000 (okay, Lenexa’s only a couple thousand)
City of Fountains – also right next to Levenworth prison
Total Travel Time: 5 ½ hours + 5 hours return.
Time at Destination: less than 24 hours
One city--two mayors (one female!). What a wacky way to start this trip. A good contrast to what I’m going to be seeing I hope. When I first came to Kansas, the folks out here joked with me about “the” tree. Well, turned out not to be much of a joke. Kansas is flat. And yes, Midwesterners are very nice. But dull.
However, Kansas City is home to which great Jazz player?
Things, as a Canadian, I will never get used to:
1. Dead possums by the side of the road
2. Molsons as an imported beer
3. Billboards for hospital care
4. Men waiting for me to get on and off the elevator first
5. Having to ask for a “hot tea”
Things as a Canadian, I am jealous of:
1. National Public Radio
... That’s pretty much it.
Date: January 22nd & 23rd, 2001
Destination: Boston, MA
Pop: 550 000 in Boston proper, 6 million in GBA
Total Travel Time Return including 2 flight delays: 8 hours
Time at Destination: less than 24 hours
Short update for short visit.
Once again, I'm the only female in business class on this flight. And I'm probably the only one
under 30 as well (what am I doing here?). All elements of Boston are always under construction –
airport, roads, downtown buildings. No time to explore particularly, just a quick clam chowder
before off to the airport again. Lacking any inspiration for witticisms. Sorry all.
Good news is -- San Fran, LA, and Dallas have been cancelled and replaced by Lake Tahoe.
Date: Jan 26th – Jan 30th, Well, a little more fun here than else Toured about (aBOOOT) from Piccadilly The men of London are dashingly In the desperately chic neighbourhood
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Date: Jan 30th – Jan 31st, 2001 Destination: Manhattan Population: a zillion at least Total Travel Time: 12 hours from London thanks to an unscheduled landing in Boston on the way back due to NY weather Time at Destination: less than 24 hours Traveling with the President of the company has some | ![]() |
Date: Feb 2nd – 7th, 2001 Destination: Chicago, IL Population: less than NY more than Lenexa, KS Total Travel Time: course a few delays but no big deal Time at Destination: Can you believe it? Over 5 days! Okay this is a little surreal. I just had the most Ever feel like your life has a soundtrack? As I walked Very personal attention by the owner including lots of My dinner companion is the woman who was to be my boss, Ever see those “Freedom 55” commercials where a Now I feel like tossing my spring green garlic soup with | ![]()
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Date: Feb 7th – 8th, 2001 Destination: Lake Tahoe Population: 100 000ish (80% tourists) Total Travel Time: 5 hours there and no delays (!) Rounded up my visit to Chicago with a few more wonderful meals (including Le Coloniale – a French Vietnamese delight), Chicago deep dish pizza, an architecture tour and a jazz bar. OKAY SO I LIKE BEING A TOURIST IN CHICAGO. As I was sitting in my favorite coffee/bookshop watching the Chicago crowds bustle by, had to call Justin up and make him jealous :) Now, in front of me is Reno airport and I’ve arrived at the hotel. Okay so Unnecessary Advice: Don’t ever spend
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Date: Feb 8th, 9:58 pm Pacific or Feb 9th,
12:56 am Eastern
Destination: Los Angeles
I’m sitting in LAX waiting for my flight home (delayed of course). Just met
the hip little Asian guy from YTV. He was here trying to drum up some acting
work. Nice guy; he says hi to all of you reading this.
Ah, they are boarding my row. Here is the end
of my tale. Hope you’ll think twice before selling your soul to the e-business
devil.
P.S. Toronto – Feb 10th 9:30 am EST. It’s
been 14 days since I started this trip – 10 flights, 9 flight delays, 8
cities, 6 states, 4 time zones, 3 countries, 2 continents, 2 lost bags (broke my
“never check rule” and paid for it), only 1(!) urge to murder an Air Canada
employee. Finally home now. And I know what the hell I’m doing here.