Wednesday, March 04, 2009

New York – Part I

Tom and I were sitting at the airport waiting for our flight. I couldn’t believe we were actually going back to New York. I’m not a big fan of flying. It’s the take off and landing that gets me. Also I’m not too fond of the idea of the plane being up in the air. I can’t believe the airlines charge you to check your bag ($15.00 for the 1st bag and $25.00 for the second). Seriously. You now have to pay for the possibility of your luggage being lost and tossed about like a ball. Isn’t that special.

Our seats were in the first row right behind 1st class. I don’t think I ever sat that close to 1st class before. It was a long flight to New York from Dallas and Tom fell asleep for most of it. I entertained myself by reading and observing.

I noticed that before I got something to drink, people in 1st class were served a nice drink (in a real glass) and some lovely mixed nuts (served in a pretty glass bowl). Then the rest of the plane was told they will be serving drinks and they had snacks for purchase – a can of Pringles ($3.00) or a cheese tray ($4.00). The lady next to me bought the so-called cheese tray. It had one piece of cheese – yep, one piece, crackers and raisins. I don’t know about you, but you would think a cheese tray would have more than one piece of cheese. By the time we got our drinks, 1st class was being served warm towels to clean their little hands between courses. I started to smell food – hot food. It was served on real plates with cloth napkins and silverware. I’m not bitter, just observant.

I started getting bored while Tom slept and started making up stories in my head about the passengers in 1st class.

There was the business man who was going on yet another trip, leaving his lonely wife behind. They had a fight before he left. He had a hard concentrating on his paperwork because of it. He’s hoping to make it up her by taking her on a vacation to St. Bart’s.

Then there was the publisher, reading yet another novel that has him sleeping before he finished the first paragraph. Little did he know that if only turned around, behind him was a budding not so young author that would had exactly what he was looking for. If only he wasn’t stuck in 1st class…

When we landed the first thing we did was find a pizzeria. Ah, that first bite was like pizza heaven. The crunch of the thin crust was like music to my ears. The cheese was stretchy. The slice large enough to fold…yes, I was going to enjoy this trip.

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

21 comments:

Dawn said...

Your entire post made me grin from ear to ear. Hope it's a great trip!

Blessings!

KarenW said...

I enjoyed hearing about your flight! Some day, I'm going to sit in first class. Well, I can dream . . .

Brenda said...

That's one way to enjoy flying. I'm like you don't like going up or the coming down part.
Well, they were accurate in their description of a cheese plate...isn't 'cheese' both singular and plural?!
How fun.
That pizza looks yummy!

Deb said...

LOL ya planes make me hungry for real food.
What will we do when we fly to China! I'll be on the plane for 10 hours! I hope they let me take my own snack.
Looking forward to hearing more!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Great picture of that pizza!! Can you tell it's almost dinner time here? Glad to hear you had a safe trip.

Damselfly said...

That is so mean of you to post a picture of a pizza like that! Pregnant women are reading your blog, you know! :)

Flying sure isn't what it used to be, but I'm glad you had a safe trip.

Dawn said...

I detest the class discrimination in planes! I get irritated when I walk through it on the way to the crowded masses.

I love the scenarios that you dreamed up - that's what makes you a good writer. I always have my nose in a book.

One good thing about sitting in that row is that there is leg room - something important when you're 5 feet 10 inches tall!

The pizza sounds divine!

Toby Parsons said...

You are so funny! I read your post out loud to Brooke, our youngest. Remember she is an aspiring writer and cracked up over your story. She does stuff like that all the time and keeps me thoroughly entertained with wild stories she comes up with. They too are hilarious. You and her together would be too much. My face would hurt from laughter. I flew first class 'once.' I loved it and it is the only way to go if one can afford it. I could never afford it. My oldest daughter happen to work for Delta at the time and I was flying on a buddy pass. It so happened that particular time that first class wasn't full up and an airline doesn't like the image it projects if first class isn't full. I was the lucky one they ask to fill the empty seat that time. Yes, it 'is' nice. And the food was actually good. And just like you said, glass dishes, etc. Loved the hot towel for clean up.

Do you have a place to live already? Did friends move your things for you this time? I pray Tom is doing well today.

Blessings and many prayers!

Toby Parsons said...

Hi again Nadine. I'll be praying more specifically for 'all' to work out seamlessly.

Brooke's blog addy is: joyfulwashingtonbrook.blogspot.com

Be forewarned, she inherited the inconsistent blogging gene from her mother. :) But, you can drop by if you like and leave her a note. She would always be inspired by you to be sure. Maybe you can swap your witty exchanges.

Brooke has taken several writing classes from a very talented lady in our area. This lady has really encouraged her to pursue writing professionally. We plan to enroll her in Jerry Jenkin's Christian Writers Guild in the fall.

Marla said...

I am not to fond of flying myself. I did get to fly first class once at the expense of the company I worked with. It was really nice and you are pampered up there. The food was even good. It was great!

Scarlet said...

How dare they put you anywhere but first class, Chica?? You should've been up there signing autographs and sipping Mimosas...but at least you got two slices of REAL pizza when you landed, which beats that cheesy $4 cheese tray!

Loved the view of the city! Wow, do I miss NY!!

Christina said...

NY pizza now thats something I miss.

I found out what the deal with poppy is. Pretty interesting twist.

Shionge said...

Nadine, you make me wanna go to NYC again :)

What fond memories and yes I've travelled so many airlines and with due respect to Americans, I never ever like to travel by United, Northwest & AA (no choice with AA once we visit USA).

The idea of flying and paying for food onboard never thrilled me, imagine the next passenger is paying for food and we merely smell it ;( We could afford it like you say we are not bitter just that very insensitive especially some parents might not want to buy it and imagine their children merely watch other passenger eating ;(

Gosh...I yak too much Nadine, enjoy your trip :D I love the pizza in NYC :)

palmtreefanatic said...

mmmmm looks yummy! I want pizza now;)
I never flown 1st class, sounds much more exciting! 1 piece of cheese? thats just not right! I am WAYYYYY to thrifty to do something like that! I would have done what you did and held out for something better...like that pizza!;)

Louise said...

That was great...can't wait to hear your stories about the people in first class..lol.
Oh and be thankful you only had to pay for the luggage and not for the use of the BATHROOM like Ryan Air in Europe has started....that is seriously pathetic!
That pizza looks delish!!
Hugs dear!

Ann(ie) said...

I am the same way....I rather dislike the taking off portion and the landing portion the most! I can relax a teeny bit up in the air, but emphasis is on teeny. I woulda stopped for pizza first thing, too. NYC pizza is the BEST!! Have fun and so glad you got there safe and sound! xo.

Art said...

I flew a lot last year and like you, I don't care for it. I do sort of like the take-offs though. I fly Southwest so there is no such thing as first class. I love an egalitarian airline! :D

Bex said...

Hi! I'll be in NY April 2-6. Maybe we can meet up!

Steph said...

Flying is always an adventure! And what a great thing to do once you kissed the NY ground---authentic NY pizza!!

Yay for you two...

Anonymous said...

I love that you made up stories for the other passengers! I so do that all the time when I people watch!

Susan said...

I'm not a big fan of flying any more. Years ago it use to be a luxury. Now it is like a bunch of cattle. Have a grand time in New York!!!
Susan