Trip Reports - The Trip Report

Ok people, I am lunging myself into starting this report before backing out.

Someone on my e-mail list asked for it as I was considering backing out. It is alot of work but it is also fun.

For the Flyertalk people before I start the report, please, let's hold back on the flames and the negative.

It is a trip report. Take the wars to Omni and let them have it, thanks.

I was just joking about Luftwaffe and everyone got mad. Go and ask some Germans what they think and they have far worse things than 'Luftwaffe' to call Lufthansa, etc. The airline runs Germany. I was just being cute as I have pet names for several airlines, Delta(Widget) being one of my biggest grudges, sorry Dov.

Let's have fun and I welcome comments, questions, praises, and the complaints go upstairs, 2nd floor, turn right, then fall thru the trap door. he he

Allons-Y!

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LA-Miami, Raleigh, Gatwick, Frankfurt, Heathrow, Tel Aviv/Jerusalem, LHR, Paris CDG, LHR, New York JFK, and home!
AA Plat,Lifetime Gold, UA P/E, Marriott Silver, Sheraton Gold,
Hilton Silver(for now)

Hello everyone. Let's do a trip report. I was going to try to back out of it and then someone on here really asked for it, so I guess I need to do it. It was a great trip and with many wonderful experiences and I want to share with all of you. FYI, I am posting it in a couple of places as well as sending to you my e-mail list, which keeps growing.

Feel free to ask questions or share thoughts, praises, except for Marty and Jon where I think that might take us into the next century, kidding.

Some background before we start.

I am an American Airlines Platinum member, that means that I fly American alot and I do love American, while my best friend hates the airline with a passion, and I ain't crazy about his airline(Delta,which I call Widget http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ).

I needed to do some big flying before the end of February to rescue my coveted American status. Unfortunately, family and friends can't understand the addiction to airline elite status but please trust me when I tell you, once you get it, you really can't live without it and I was having nightmares at the thought of losing it, ok, not that bad but I really want to keep it. You can thank United for giving me my first taste to this addictive drug, starting me as a Premier frequent flier, when I had no idea what elite status even was.

Hence, I needed to hop on planes to Europe and get some miles. Flying around the US/Canada, as I had learned from my Northwest Air Gold days, just doesn't do it.
In the winter time the fares to Europe are a joke, especially from the West Coast, and you get all kinds of perks. I can upgrade domestically and I always go through Miami, one of the perks. Not that I love Miami or the beautiful latina women there. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif))

Also, as some of you know, and some of you are tired of knowing http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, I have always wanted to go to Israel. I have chickened out and postponed several times. I was finally ready to go when the dear Palestinians started the Intifida back around 2000 or something like that, so I went to Rome instead. I should have gone, though Rome was fun.

I finally decided to take the plunge and go even though many thought I was crazy.

My mom took it much better than I had expected and was shocked. I really thought you would try to stop me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif and you didn't. It helped that she had to go to Vegas to see my sister the weekend before so I had set off on my own, no chauffeur to LAX. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif I know she thought I was nuts but she supported me in it.

So, with some effort, I had put together a nice trip to Europe and then threw in the flights to Israel. Ironically, I had found the best airfare I have ever seen to Israel (from Europe) via
British Airwyas for $360 US including all taxes. Trust me when I tell you, it is a steal. I have checked fares and hotels to Israel and it is one of the most expensive markets in the world and the planes go full, even in February.

I was having some second thoughts leading up to the trip and the funniest thing.
I was out at LAX the Sunday before I had left, driving on the 105 freeway into our beloved airport, and there was an ELAL 767 taking off right before me. Call me crazy, it just comforted me and told me, I was going to Israel. It was an awesome feeling. tear

With that, we will start the report.

Remember, positive comments, praises, chocolates, and other goodies, safety cards http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, are more than welcome. Condemnations, attacks, critiques, and whatever, go to Brian. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Away we go!

One of my challenges that I seem to somehow, ah, miss, is being packed and ready to go before departure time. I really did try this time. I canceled my fitness instructor, thankfully had a doctor reschedule an appointment which I needed to be moved, and did packing and preparing the day before. Somehow Tuesday morning, I still had more to do.

I usually do a shuttle or mom takes me but I wanted to drive. I needed to stop at the bank on the way and it was nice to drive myself, when I wanted, not when a shuttle bus driver wanted, use my cell freely, listen to music, whatever.

Hence, no comments please http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, I had a later start than I had wanted.

American started it off right by calling and updating fight info, that the flight was on time, etc. Have never had that for some reason til now.

It was a beautiful drive and it is fun to drive along the Pacific ocean when heading to someplace cold.

Back in my Northwest days I went to Eastern Canada all the time and it was amusing to drive by the sparkling blue Pacific on a beautiful day in February when I knew what I had waiting for me in Toronto/Montreal(nasty, nasty cold weather). So it was the same here, nasty nasty cold weather in Europe. Oh joy.

They now have a security checkpoint going into LAX since the last terror alert. Many times we have parked at a hotel or long term lot and taken a shuttle in. The last time I went in for one of my drive arounds the airport( I like to see who is at Bradley, the Int'l terminal), they nailed me for a spot check and it took several minutes, with their checking the car and using like a mine sweeper around the entire thing. Gee, what fun, and for a 5 minute turn around, no thanks.

As I approached the airport I prayed, please no, not this time, don't have time. Someone upstairs was listening and I was waved thru, thank goodness, but I had felt bad for the poor souls who didn't pass as it really is time consuming and it is a joke. Gee, not like I could bring something in on one of the shuttles or a taxi, doyee. Our mental capacity, sad, isn't it?

Now, this should have, would have, could have been easy, but we know that is not allowed, right? I was planning to go to the skycap check in in front of the airport. Since 9/11 this process at US airports has become more challenging but has actually evened out. Well.

A few days before I upgraded to Business Class, something which I always do on this special flight as it is a 777, there is a meal, and it is a transcon. I don't upgrade the short flights. With American's legroom in coach, you really don't need it, but this is a flight that I like to spoil myself on. And I missed the bloody thing last November when I was playing at the stupid Admirals Club. Long story, maybe for another trip report, will consider.

Anyway, pull up to skycap. Stupid hotel shuttle bus drives past me missing me by inches.
I chastize the driver, the jerk shouts back. Never their fault. They, the airport buses, the taxis at LAX, drive like madmen. I think they had their driver's training in Paris. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Then a lovely something comes right off said bus and cuts right in front of me, delaying the check in process. After quite a delay I give my ticket to the skycap, who was cool, and explains that he can't check me in. Have no idea why. He grabs my bags and runs me inside. I am thinking he is going to take me to the front or something. Nah ah.

He takes me inside, puts the bags down, and says to check in there. Ugh He did say that he would watch my car.
OK...

As a Platinum I get First Class check in, but there was still a line. Beloved American had 2 agents working the F/C line, which is unacceptable. There was a problem passenger who had been there the entire time, that left one agent for the few who needed a boarding pass to get airside, one of our many presents since 9/11. Cringe and sweat.

Finally did get up and asked why I couldn't check in. I have never had this problem before.
Because I had upgraded to Business, it had changed my fare basis which was at the rock bottom to, I guess, something better. She wasn't the friendliest person, sadly, typical of many LA agents, checked me in, tagged the bags, then TSA. I had run one bag over to TSA so that helped, but with the 2nd, he made me wait til it cleared, then they took it.

I ran like mad outside where there was duly an LA robo cop on his Harley http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. The skycap ran over and said he tried to stop the ticket but was too late. He did say he would watch the car and explain. There was a ticket on the car, of course, but in all fairness it is only $30 US, and that is cheap, trust me, if you have ever picked up a beloved ticket in Westwood.

I explained what happened, cop said he couldn't remove the ticket, I mentally cursed him to hell for all eternity http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, gave a thanks to the skycap, who did try, and got the heck out of there before I am sure the tow truck came. Oh well.

I shoved the ticket in my seat pocket and will probably pay it tomorrow.

Now I had to jam. Parked at one of the hotels nearby, won't mention the name. They don't charge so it was an experiment, shall we say. (it worked)

I then had to hike back to the front of the hotel with my heavy carry ons and shared a bench with a Delta stew while I prepped for security. Take out the drivers license and the rest goes into the carry on.

I learned from UK security where the machines are ultra sensitive and you get a free pat down, from a guy of course, if you beep, to pack everything in the carry on. It works. ( In Japan you can get patted down by a lovely girl, hence, no need to pack anything, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ).

I don't care for the security check at TSA, an experience(TSA) I have come to loathe and only do when absolutely necessary, meaning I don't go back and forth airside to landside and back as I once did.

My asking about the shuttle seemed to prompt a special trip for us and away we went. Mentally flipped off the security people as we drove into the airport. Sorry, hate 'em, and they really are a bunch of idiots and very inconsistent. I have 500 ways to take something into the airport, I could walk something in, and they hassle innocent travelers who are pushing their flights.

Drop off and walked past the skycap. UGH Enjoy the $5 dude.

Had access to the First Class/Platinum line to security, special escalator, which means nothing as I can take the elevator right into special area, ah doyee. LOL

Security was easy, since I had completely stripped down. It is like a special dance at our security checkpoints but also you would think most people would be ready for it when they get there. They stand there, block the way, and do all their (crap) removal at the station.
Come on people. I then spend 5 minutes putting everything back. Shoes didn't have to come off, I just ask and if they want shoes off, I take them off. As you will see later, the British security people laugh about the shoes. doyee

Don't fight the wonderful TSA on the shoes issue. Even if you know they are ok, if they want them off, they will play power trip and send you to secondary to punish you, not kidding, ask Paul. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Just kiss their behinds and move on. Don't worry, they will get theirs in the next life, he he.

The Miami flight was the first gate where the Int'l flights go out of. I went to the Admirals Club but they said no time, you need to get onboard. This was my punishment for the last time when I had spent too much time there. I can always come back to this club so not a problem. Would have been nice, but will live.

My sister called my cell as I was arranging my stuff and getting ready to board.
I hope that you will forgive me for not taking the call. In all fairness, she left a sweet
Happy Birthday message(the Saturday before) and wished me a pleasant trip.

With that, it was boarding time and off to Miami, which I love.

It is nice to actually board a plane and get to sit down in the front end of it vs. walking through it, which is usually how I fly. As an American Platinum I can upgrade using stickers, much cheaper than any (cough, fool) who actually pays for such a thing on a US airline, sorry, my pet peeve. It ain't worth it. Singapore, Cathay Pacific, even Virgin, that is another story. There have been too many cutbacks at the US airlines and the plastic silverware alone is a dead giveaway.

I don't have the seat # in front of me but will provide all relevant info at the end of the report, for my fellow crazies who actually like that stuff. It was the left side, window, 2nd from the bulkhead, in Business Class. 777

Comfy seat but seemed to like to go back, hmmmmm.

My seatmate was cool and was there with a few friends, found out later that he was going to Rio for Carnival, I am jealous.

What I love about the Miami flights, cough cough cough, ah, vs. the New York flights, oh did I say that?! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, the passengers and the crew are generally friendly and fun to be around.

I will say more as to the flight back from NY but those flights are usually a circus and drive me nuts. More later. I could already see this was a great crew, very professional, and friendly.

Push back and taxi out. We went by the beloved Bradley Terminal and there were some good planes. Lufthansa 747-400, which some may call Luftwaffe http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, hmmm, which I would be seeing in Frankfurt in a few days. The usual Japan, Eva, China, etc. going the Western route. At the end to my delight was the ELAL 767. It was special to see this knowing that I would actually be in Israel in a few days.

We taxxied out on the South side of the airport, passing American, Delta, Continental, United, etc., in that order. They did the safety demo via the video which I think I have memorized by now http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif first in English, then in Spanish, appropos for Miami.

We did that turn around, waved to our Proud Bird restaurant where we have done many a meal, and past the cargo planes he takes off, with my seat going back a bit, ick.

Liftoff and over World Way, over the dunes, the Pacific coastline and out over the beautiful, sparkling ocean, like 1000's of takeoffs to date. As usual he turns around Palos Verdes, I waved to Brian below, also admired our beloved hang out at Redondo Beach and Thai Thani below(no Thai food for 2 weeks).

He flew over Long Beach, south of downtown LA, and then out toward Palm Springs, etc.

Basic routing was southbound: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas( I waved to Sarah and Tex http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ),
Louisiana, great view for my first time of New Orleans, then a bit after he heads out over the Gulf of Mexico and then into Florida.

My seat kept going back, I kept bringing it up, it kept going back. I had this many years ago on a short Aeromexico flight from LA to Tijuana that we did for fun but this was crazy, especially in Business. I passed on doing the 'walkabout' through the coach cabin, since I would be spending plenty of time on 2 777s in coach. Did the bathroom break, stretch, and peeked into First, which is never never land for me, oh well. One can dream.

Everytime I use my miles I go First, but I never fly American, going right onto Qantas or Cathay, both beloved. The first one was on South African. I only want to use my precious miles in First.

Service on this flight was great. These crew have been trained to refill drinks. I had a large bottle of Dasani(which I love) in the seat pocket and they kept me full on orange juice, which is good on AA. Half way through the flight I converted to gingerale. AA doesn't do Perrier, to Brian's delight. :P

The meal was excellent, a typical AA chicken something, salad, and accroutements. All menus went to the guy in Paris and so sorry, can't see them. The dinner, lunch, whatever, was good, but this is when the seat really started to go back and was annoying. I didn't want to disturb the crew who were busy but my seatmate saw my plight and he said something. Thank you! I would have after they were done as they had their hands full and the tray is in the way, thankfully it is a swinging tray.

They showed me how to lock the seat, which then kept it full upright, but better than before, but somewhow it would subtly unlock and there we go, then I would have to lock it again.
Oh well. This is why you don't pay $$$ for Business or First on US Airlines. I pittied the poor guy flying to Sao Paulo that night. They said they would note it. Ok, but I knew it was going to Brazil in the same condition.

Desert was tiramisu or ice cream. I want to be spoiled and so I want both. I have to compete with Uli on being spoiled and a snob. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif So I asked for the tiramisu, very good, but also for the ice cream if they had extras, which they did. The thing is frozen solid when you first get it and so it just sat and defrosted long after they were done with the service. It was pretty good actually.

My reading material for the trip included: Inside Flyer, a magazine that feeds our addiction to frequent flyer miles and points and read it from one end to the other, highlighting and circling many things in the AA section which is my preferred program, Northwest second, the rest, not sure if I really care. Had a USA Today and then I had been reading a book on the Israelis, hence, called, 'The Israelis, ' by Donna Rosenthal. This is an outstanding book
which really tells you everything you ever wanted to know about Israel and the Israeli people, which is a fascinating nation. I am still working on it as I savor the book bit by bit.
I strongly recommend it if you want to know about Israel. More later. Also had Business Traveler, the American edition, a wonderful magazine.

I took one of the cabin crew aside and asked him to write down his name. I said how sad it was that American, and ever so naively, removed the SOS stickers. The SOS cards were a way to say thank you to American staff who did a good job and I loved having them. I had people who went out of their way for me and this is a way to say thank you.

So he gave me his name and I promised I would write something nice to American, which I have yet to do as I have a few things to take care of with AA, then will throw in the praise, after the complaints. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I thanked him for the wonderful service which was just exceptional.

Usually it is airlines like Singapore and Cathay who are taught how to refill your glass and make you feel welcome. Some American Airlines crews are just nasty and I have dealt with too many of them. In coach I seldom care, but up front, I care.

Anyway, after passing New Orleans which was just a nice site, someplace I have always wanted to go, we passed several boats in the water, then all dark. It is amazing to me how quickly you fly over the Gulf of Mexico, which is about an hour.

One of my favorite parts of the trip is flying over the West Florida coastline, with lights all the way up the coast. This time it was cloudy and so sadly you couldn't see much. We crossed Florida at Fort Myers.

The plane then starts its decent, fasten seat belt signs on, and I prepped my carry on for a quick exit. I was looking forward to staying at the beloved Embassy Suites Hotel at Miami Airport. Well, so I thought.

We came out of the clouds as we were passing the coastline, left side, had a gorgeous view of downtown Miami on the beach. I love this city and Gloria Estafon(small crush on her, fyi) and Miami Sound Machine come to mind when I come here. The flaps, landing gear, all the fun noises went. We flew past Miami and then turned inward and the view was just spectacular. Miami is a very beautiful, attractive city, green and tropical, with water inlets everywhere, I just love it. If I ever had to be booted out of California, probably where I would go, save Maui. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

We flew over the city, the buildings leading to MIA, came in over the Hilton, and then touch down with the lovely Sofitel on our left, where I stayed last time and was spoiled rotten at that wonderful French hotel.

Taxi to the AA terminal and really, if you get technical, it is all AA. AA planes everywhere. It is like Widget in Tara(Atlanta), only that I like seeing lot's of silver birds.

One of the joys of Miami is all the planes from Latin America and the Carribean.
I loved our trip to the Cayman Islands many years ago and it is fun to see the Cayman 737. They had the best punch and Brian brought home extra, smart.

We dock at the gate, the inner E concourse. I miss taking the tram upstairs but now you need a boarding pass to go up so forgedaboutit.

We thought we had been delivered and then there was a problem with the jetway, so after everyone gets up we had to sit down and wait. In this last 5 minutes my seatmate and I do more talking than we had the entire 5 hour or so flight. Too much. He was very nice and I wished him a good trip. I apologized to the sweet woman behind me for my seat and she understood, saying no problem.

I grabbed some menus from a side pocket, again, for the nice guy in Paris and thanked the crew for a wonderful flight.

Now at Miami Int'l it was a quick exit into that smelley, stuffy, humid terminal (E).
They really need to redo the thing and they are, with AA building a new megahub and I can't wait. I still like this place, I don't know why, maybe cause it is Miami, the land of Golden Girls. Yes, I like that show.

Exit past security, you feel sorry for all the pax enduring the TSA who are going mostly to points South. AA has a massive hub here with flights going everywhere imaginable to South and Central America, the Carribbean, Mexico, etc.

Our flight went onto Sao Paulo, bad behaving seat and all. LOL

Exit to the public area and I love all the int'l counters. When I see LTU I think of my Cargochica. Curious if LTU flies here year round?

I grabbed a cart, free of course, and did some walking. It felt good to walk and it was emptier than during the day so easier to see the counters and yes, do some
'Airport Shopping.' No one on Planet Earth does 'Airport Shopping' better than the guy in Paris, I can assure you, he is my mentor. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif (and we did plenty of such shopping when I finally got to Paris) Nice to have a partner in crime.

I did check out the int'l terminal, not much on the counters. I did nail some more Taca ticket jackets. Also found a brochure that they would test charging for meals on flights to Central America from Miami. Bad airline! Shouldn't do that on international flights.

I missed my chance for a yummy Starbucks hot chocolate as they had closed when I came back, stupid me.

Down to bag claim and again, stupid me, went to the wrong carousel, thinking the 2 were combined. After a while I started to panic and asked about the LA flight. Oh senor the LA flight is on carousel 10, not 9. Duh on me. Bags were there which duly went onto my cart.
This is when I called Keli and yanked her chain a bit about something. Since she is engaged we have to tease her a bit, and teasing you shall get until May. I promise. he he
Very happy for you and Sal, you know that. We will party later, I promise.

Called the dear Embassy Suites which I had put into my cell, nationwide calling and all that. Great, they are on their way. Took forever so I called the token German woman in Miami, who actually answered the phone in Espanol. I punished her by speaking German and reminding her of her Deutsch heritage. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Glad to do it. Sadly she couldn't come out and meet me for breakfast as she had a meeting, but she works near MIA. We had lunch at the Sofitel last time and by the way, an expensive lunch it was, though good.

James and Karina I apologize. I never got to you. I always get miffed at James who lives in Fort Lauderdale and will never come down to Miami, something I,ah, UGH. whatever.
Karina and I had a nice chat last time I was in town.

Dear shuttle finally comes and he takes my bags. Miami was colder than usual, not the usual heat and humidity. Last time I was there standing in front of the airport all dressed up I was going crazy, but this time, quite nice, but not the warmth I expected in this tropical port.

Off to that beautiful, wonderful hotel. A hotel chain someone and I knew well. Leave it at that,thanks.

Go inside to check in, yeah, it has been a long day, great to be here. He says I know you have had a long day, BUT, cringe, we are full and we need to send you someplace else. No hotel at MIA is better than the E/S, unless they give you an actual suite, which is once in a blue moon and I never seem to see blue moons.

We are sending you to the Baymont. The Bay what? I had heard of them but they didn't sound like the Ritz. They didn't even sound like the Sheraton, one of my beloved pampering grounds.

As I had expressed an interest in dinner he offered to take care of it, then sent me with the driver to the other hotel, just around the corner.

Well, it is a dump. Bags all over the floor and people everywhere speaking weird languages, which I always have to easedrop in on. I love languages.

Duly checked in but showed my AA card and hoped that would come through.

My suite at the E/S turned into a 3rd floor dump. My concierge back there who is lugging my bags on the cart turned into self service of navigating that stupid cart through the small hallways. ick

I did call the E/S and asked for a free night which they obliged and gave me a cert the next day and they really did apologize. That was professional. So next November, I am good.

I called a few of you, packed and repacked, then my beloved calzone came like 2 hours later. too much.

Remember, it is 3 hours later than CA, but I am still on CA time. it is awkward to say the least.

Bed at the wee hours of the morning.

Up early and after peeking at their breakfast, pass, went to the E/S for what would be my only real meal til dinner to London that night. I went up to the top floor and watched the planes from different angles. Should have had my camera as the planes and shots were great. I did tour the hotel. I knew the E/S hotels well with my ex(fiancee) and from a company that I worked for that would put us up in them and had nothing else to do but explore, explore, and explore, and raid the maid's cart, not that I would ever do that. I think I had a few pens sticking out of my pocket. smile

Back to the dump, packed, and out. Was going to go down to grab the cart and something just said no, so I dragged the bags to the elevator and down.

The Lobby was a freaking,horrid mass of people, bags, what have you. Miami had a boat show and why the hotels were so full. The carts, as anticipated, were taken by some very well to do women. They had been on a shopping spree and if I had time and didn't have to check in myself, I would have followed them to their counter. They must have paid a $1,000 US in excess bags. Queen Sheva and all. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Lot's of jewelry and very fancy. Their bags took up the entire shuttle and I was wedged in between the bag holder and one of theirs, not comfy. I made a sarcastic remark to the driver and tipped him. Oh too much. Hate to see them in London.

Found a porter, a method to the madness here, and he took my bags to check in.
I could have found a cart and done it myself, but I learned from the past.
The AA check in agent at Int'l First Class was a doll, made it very easy. The porter said my bags are not heavy(at this point http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) shall I just tag them here, she said fine.
He then said, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif)), if the bags are not locked, which I stopped doing long ago,thank you, that he could take them to the TSA for me. He earned his tip. Should have given him more.

Then they gave me a bag cart for my heavy carry on, which will get gate checked later, after doing some more 'Airport Shopping.' http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Didn't do the Starbucks, too long of a line, though could have used a nice hot chocolate something. Went to the Air Jamaica desk and borrowed some tags for which I was duly chastized, mon. How many of those do you need, mon? I have enough, thank ya.
Too much.

Then Bahamasair and a stack of ticket jackets were beckoning to me. and to the guy in Paris, I am sure. The agent by coincidence just went in and so I grabbed a stack, then some baggage labels. That was nice.

Unfortunately, no Cayman flight at the time so no Cayman goodies, though nailed a few last time and someone left a ticket wallet on the counter, which ironically, I just filed away tonight, of all things.

Did the look and see but wasn't much. Then tried to hit the Admirals Club, at E, and a very nice club it is, but you must go up via elevator. One dear elevator was out. ick
I abandoned the cart and we joined a stack of US customs officers who did their key thing and made it stop at level 3, where they exited. When we tried to go up to Admirals, it wouldn't budge. We freaked a bit. Then went down to departures. One guy said no way and got off, I persisted, some joined. We tried one more time and again, stuck somewhere and wouldn't ascend, and I had a nasty vision of missing my strategic flights which I really couldn't afford to miss by being in that stupid elevator. God graced us back to dep. and we all got out, whewwwww. So much for the club which is nice.

Being the lounge lizard that I am I had a back up. Found my same, abandoned cart and made my way to Concourse A, the Int'l terminal. Not much in the way of Airport Shopping and a couple of airlines were completely blocked by TSA and whatever and with the cart, forget it.

Up to security at A, left the cart, she questioned my boarding pass but AA does have some flights out of A. Said I was going to the Club America, she let me thru. Full, cursory strip down and (dance, NOT lol) and thru security, passed with an A-.

No carts airside, at that point, and made my way, dragging that freaking bag, to Club America.

I assumed it was too early for the British Airways lounge as I am normally there in the evening. I didn't even try the BA club as I would be getting BA lounges up the ying yang throughout the trip and the 'Warden' or person checking your card going in is a pain in the butt and always in a bad mood. Don't need it.

Club America is one of those generic lounges that you seldom see in America, but you will find just about everywhere else in the world.

Beautiful latina welcomed me, a Kathryn Zeta Jones look alike, not that I would ever have a crush on her or anything http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and she was very kind and brought me in.

I only had so much time before the flight to Raleigh and I was leaving from Concourse C, so had a slight trek ahead of me. Set big bertha down and helped myself to a mass of Perrier. Other than the Admirals Club at CDG I have never seen so much Perrier, so I was home.

The lounge is comfy, great couches, little snacks, and allowed me to prep the carry on which I would gate check either here or Raleigh. I should have made it here. AA will charge you for the third bag at check in, BA won't. Amazing discrepancy.

After a few drinks and I could see a few planes, like a Taca and a couple of special somethings from South America, like Aeropostal-Venezuela, I made my exit and found carts, paid the $2/3, and enjoyed the walk which is all airside to Concourse C. They are doing renovation so a bit torn up, but doable. Called Brian from the gate and it was time to board. AA Super 80 to Raleigh.

Boarded the AA Super 80 to Raleigh Durham where I will connect with a 777 to London Gatwick.

About a half empty flight, had the coveted 2 seats to myself on the left hand side, will give all the other info later. However, I never found the aircraft reg. Sorry. Because of the way the plane was parked at Mia and Raleigh, couldn't see it, no windows at Mia. Was going to come back to the gate when it pulled out to get it and I just didn't feel like it, to be honest.

I also didn't feel like asking the crew which can range from oh sure let me find out to a full fledged security profile in all their stupidy and overaction. Another present from 9/11.
Whatever.

I had very few hours of sleep, kind of like right now, oh boy. Plane pushed back and taxxied out and I was dozing off and on. They did the manual safety demo, which I seldom see now, and we sat parked in a long line of AA planes, I think all AA, with a cool Avianca 757 landing and a Grupo Taca doing someting or other.

I must have dozed off a few times, it was a long delay, with planes cutting in front of us, forgot the excuse the captain used, I really didn't care.

I had over 3 hourse at Raleigh. You can easily see everything and then some in one.

Finally, it was our turn and took off, going East to West which I seldom do at MIA.

As we took off an Iberia 747 was coming in for a landing. After we lifted off it was an awesome view of the 747 on approach. No pics, I am very sorry. Out to the West over the boring and nothing Everglades and then a right bank. I was thinking he would fly over the ocean, up the coast, like we did to NY. It was all inland, much to my surprise.

We flew right over Orlando and he mentioned Disneyworld but didn't see it, probably on the right. The Captain mentioned Savannah and a few other small towns. It was all new territory which was nice but I was wiped out and slept half the flight. Did one WC break and they did the usual drink service. I was craving a candy bar and everything was packed away in the overhead and didn't feel like going for it, oh well.

The excitement here was getting a new airport. A new Admirals Club. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Not a new State.
Many moons ago we had the Airliners Intermational in Atlanta. Staying at the beloved, dumpy Hampton Inn I was bored and went for a drive, ended up at 2am in Greenville, SC, a pretty place. The Ramada guy where I parked it was freaky, but it was fun. That drive, late at night, on the Georgia highway was exciting. I will always remember it. After playing at the Greenville Airport and lunch, I was too close to North Carolina, Greenville being in South Carolina, so took a drive and went a few miles into the State. Beautiful scenery.
(Also hit Alabama the day before, went to Birmingham and crashed at the Delta Crown room at Birmingham Airport) Now all undoable with the pax only rules at the US airports so not as worth it. Oh well. Great fun.

I woke up and we were already in descent for Raleigh. Had no idea what the airport looked like. Very beautiful scenery, reminded me of Ohio, where I lived for a time. Flew over green fields, rivers, bridges, gorgeous scenery that is so unlike California and the Western US. Not that it isn't great out here, but it is different.

Plane touched down and there were a bunch of broken up jetways to the side of the runway.
Coming around there were some cargo planes but the treat was a Shorts 330. Nice!

I was impressed with the large terminal, very modern, clean, well organized, and they are even adding to it, so AA must have plans for it as AA owns the airport, pretty much. It is a small hub but nice to see AA have a presence.

I couldn't get the reg because of the location of the gate, plane was out in an awkward, twist position, so I will live.

Carry on was heavy and had to drag it to the Admirals club, duly at the other end of the terminal, but atleast airside, unlike Miami. Miami does have a 2nd Admirals Club that is airside at Concourse C but it is a dump, been there, done that. No thanks.

Walked past the empty London gate. I figured the one 777 sitting there was our flight, so I nailed the aircraft reg. as we passed it. You can always get the 777 reg. onboard, so not a problem, helps out the handy flight log book, which so needs to be updated.

The Admirals club was in a temporary setting as they had an asbestos problem in the real one and doing renovating. Agents there are very friendly, probably par for the course, as you are in the South. My brother married a sweet, Southern Belle from Georgia so I know of their kindness. I can buy her off with chocolate anytime, just thought I would mention in case they actually read these things. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

They had the usual drinks, cheese, crackers, whatever. I used my coupons they give the int'l pax at entry for 2 small San Pelligrinos. Not as wonderful as Perrier, but they will do, he he he. I know that will get someone.

My reward was 2 doctors who came in and talked air travel. They nailed Southwest, I laughed out loud, they smiled, and just talked about everything under the sun about FF programs and all this good stuff. I loved it. I love being in the airport, at a lounge, I am going to Europe, then Isreal, have my drink, and hearing this stuff. Yummmmmmy

I found a place to stash the bag, taking all valuables with me, of course. Did the rounds around the airside, checked out what I could of the int'l area, made a couple of those last calls before I cross the pond and it becomes insanely expensive.

Then went landside, wasn't much to see. Basic AA and a few others check in and a couple of stores. But the terminal is modern, clean, and very efficient. I went across the street where they had some snow and stepped in my first thing of snow in who knows how long now!?
I am rewarded in Paris later.

Back to security, one machine, they take forever to strip down, come on people, allons-y!, and then back to funville. Hit the gift shop and bought some Belgian chocolates, they were polished off in Tel Aviv, and some North Carolina local brand of chocolates, very good, they were cleaned out during the flight.

Did another drink, more cheese and crackers, and bid my lovely hosts adieu. The club was filling up, too crowded for pampered me.

Found a great space at the gate next to mine and found a huge table where I was able to sort the dear carryon, off ya go mate. Cleaned out and arranged what was going to London and what was going carry on. While doing this I called someone special, we will call her V, with a cute Brazilian accent, and we chatted til flight time with all the I will miss you and we actually meant it. Yes dear, of course I thought about you over there, how could I not? LOL

Checked in and gave them my bag. They explained they don't normally do gate check, oh, but thanks for taking it. Allowed me to collect more junk then get rid of it, but I should have done it at Miami. I was one of the last to board, with reason.

First time I have ever seen US immigration officers checking us as we entered the gate/heading to the plane area. Hope that it is not a new thing. Probably a new Homeland Security Special. ugh

When we went to Australia on Qantas there was a flock of US customs officers watching us as we boarded, they didn't check anything, but they let their presence be known. One was a yutz, I remember him well.

This is the first time I have been checked leaving the US. And off we go.

This is that exciting time when you leave the US and you get to go someplace else.

Not that London would excite me or anything http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. I love Gatwick Airport. Gatwick Airport is truly an aviationist's paradise. Much cleaner and neater than Heathrow, by a 1000 fold, and always some surprising goody flies in.

Boarded the plane and said my hellos. I could already tell a very friendly crew.

This Raleigh thing could work, though wish that I had less time in transit.

While I had 2 seats to myself, I still try to board last,then I can freely move to whatever seat I want. As there was a lovely couple in front of where I was scheduled to be, I moved one back, hence, echoing my mom's pet peeve and I now agree, no one to put their seat in my face. ick

Love AA's extra legroom, love the 777, love this crew. This is going to be a great flight.

Ok. Magazines, my book, Dasani, some snacks, all there and available. Shoes off, sorry Brian, they're going off.

We did that push back and taxi thing. Did the safety demo first in English and then surprisingly, in Italiano. So I actually watched the video to pick up some Italian. Been years since I flew AA to Milan and the only time I saw it.

We taxxied past the terminal and out to the runway. My beloved cell now turned off til I am back Stateside. Talk about an addiction.

Before I knew it, he turned a curve and we were off, lift off, and then some lights of what seemed to be the suburbs. I had the flight map in front of me and we headed up to Virginia and then out to the Atlantic.

Up the coast to Penn/Delaware, yes, I thought of you, Amy dear. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Also B-K. Before we got to New York and NJ he headed out over the water and so no more lights, which was sad.

My greatest trip up the coast years ago was on a Sabena A-340 Atlanta to Brussels and right up the East Coast, Atlantic City and all, it was golden. This was nothing like that.

After we left land I checked out the inflight entertainment. AA has a naughty fetish with CBS which just gets old after a while. I am not big on Everyone Loves Raymond but can tolerate a show or 2, that's it. I do like King of Queens and so that is one thing CBS did right.
I am a NBC fan. Don't even challenge me on that as you will never win. Friends, Seinfeld, Cheers, Law and Order, Frasier. Must I go on? Hope not, thank you. Friends is # 1. If you ever disagree, prepare to pay dearly, thank you.

To my delight on the BBC channel they had one of my fav. Britt sitcoms, Good Neighbors, but they actually called it something else?! It was an episode I have never seen before where Jerry and Margot get into an exercise routine, gee, can't understand that one?! LOL, and then Tom and Jerry (not the cartoon) challenge each other into a race. I give AA credit as it really does prep you for Britain. Loved this show and will have to get it on DVD.

Other than that, it was nothing too special on the entertainment and I did more reading.

Dinner was served. I believe it was a chicken or something. If they offer chicken, I take the chicken. Makes it simple. Standard AA coach meal but the service was great.
Very kind and friendly crew and I told one of the attendants later, quietly, if I had the SOS coupons she could have them all. I took one trip on AA where I think I had barely given any away as the service was that bad.

Did some reading, did my Israeli homework.

Finally nodded off. Not long after nodding off, the guy from 2 in front comes back and starts opening the blanket in the seat in front. jerk Woke me up, then I asked him to please not put the seat back in my face as that is why I moved. He sat for a bit then did a full lie down in the middle seats on the floor. We had some major turbulence and he had to get up and fasten.

Nice guy but was mad that he chooses to come back as I finally fall asleep.

After that, couldn't get back to sleep so I paid him back with lights on, reading, and organizing. Sorry. he he he

I did make my walk through the cabin and entered an unusually empty Business class, which is always full on TransAtlantic flights, and asked the lovely crewmember for an extra amenity kit and a menu, saving me hassle when leaving. She handed me both and again, with a smile. I still grabbed a couple on my way out, to the guy in Paris' delight.

With that the sun came up and we were out over the Atlantic, approaching Ireland. Love this moment when you hit Europe. It really is special.

We buzzed the Southern part of Eire and Cead Mille Failte and all that. Family has spent much, much time here: Killarney, Rosslare, Waterford, Galway, Dublin, etc. I love to play at the ferry port in Rosslare. Proably my favorite boat ride on earth(over to Wales).

Then out over the Irish Sea as we descended. They came out with a lite, and I mean lite, breakfast. Crossaint, raisins(which I gave to someone http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ), and not much else. O/J.
Croissant was good and asked for another which they obliged. Raisins went later to the guy in Paris and he liked that.

Came in over Wales, Croeso!, and looked for our beloved Tenby, a Welsh coastal resort town that to my family and I is Heaven on Earth. Very hard to get to, let me tell ya, maybe that is why it is so special. It is near Pemroke, fyi.
Beautiful, storybook place. The service at the Imperial Hotel was wonderful. I need to go back.

Cardiff/Caerdydd, a big stack of lights, into the West of England, but we were north of Bournemouth, our Haven in Southern England and what I call the English Riviera. Love and miss that place so much.

Sun is coming up and lights were turning off. Mostly green fields and prepping for Gatwick.

You don't see anything to do with London, so far away.

Did that last WC check and reflected on what I would do when we land, so many options.

More green fields and then could see we were approaching West to East, heading toward the terminal. I may have the direction wrong but it seemed like a straight W to E, usually the other way.

Bump, hump, and slump, and reverse engines and we were in England.

Old and expired Comet, I think a Trident, and who knows what was out there. Loving it.

European 747!? who the heck are they? I like the tail logo. All kinds of Britanias, Monarchs, My Travel, Thomas Cook, BA, and every kind of British charter you could think of. Air Zim(Zimbabwe, mates) 767, one of Gatwick's prizes.
I love it! I didn't cry but I do get a little emotional at this point, to be honest, having a ton of British ancestry from all over the UK, everything, even the Isle of Man.

They had a Nationwide 767 from my beloved South Africa and that was worth it right there, been so long since I have seen a Nationwide plane and first to see their new 767.

We taxiied to the gate, South Terminal, left side facing the main terminal, it was great.

Gave my thanks and adieu to the crew and again they were wonderful.

Ok, left the aircraft and entered into the terminal. To my surprise everything has changed. It was quite a pleasant arrivals/holding area and you take an escalator upstairs, then an up level walkway toward arrivals. I could be wrong, but I suspect that they have completely separated arrivals from departures, as with the North Terminal, boo hoo.

I was going to visit the South Terminal airside and play a bit, but didn't want to chance it if I can't just gracefully exit as in days past. Oh well.

I made my way to the arrivals area, checked out the transfer areas to the airside of the South and North terminals, decided to pass and hit the passport control area.

If anyone knows if you can easily come back down to arrivals that would be appreciated.
North Terminal is hard, but not impossible, thanks to a fellow flyertalker http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif who guided my way via private e-mail. Cheers mate. I still owe ya a pint.

So down to arrivals. The Euro people had no lines and walked in, flashed an identity card or passport and were gone.

We 'foreigners' are relegated to 2 very long lines at the other end. I am guessing
that it was the planes from Africa that held things up.

The 2 lines were non-moving so get the paper out. The immigration officers were asking some nasty questions of the African travelers. They wanted someone to vouch for them in England and had a few sit on the benches in front of the passport desks and the officer said they would ring a person for them. Yikes. Asked about their financial conditions, etc.

They were being more 'selective' than I have ever seen. Yes, I am nosy and as I love all the passport stuff, I watch. They did need to open up another desk as these lines were terrible.

Finally my turn at the front. Basic questions. Very friendly lass, stamped the passport and landing card, and on my way.

I like the Gatwick Passport/arrivals area, it is old, but it works.

Up the escalator to baggage reclaim, not claim, as we say here in the Colonies http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, one is reclaiming one's luggage. smile

Carry on was sitting idly on the floor and threw it onto a cart and out through the Green channel we go. The bags were checked thru to Frankfurt.

The last time I flew in here there were no customs officers, now it was wall to wall officers. Are we in Australia? (Australia customs officers everywhere all over Sydney bag claim, fyi)

As I did that exit thing I always stop at the Travel Value shop. Overpriced junk, thanks. There are certain English chocolates I like and they weren't here, so off we go.

Masses of people await the arrivals. I am sure some of them waiting for the Africans who have a long wait ahead of them.

I went to the information desk to check on a shuttle. I was impressed that I had a Frenchmen in front of me and the girl behind the desk went into fluent French.
Wow! Go Britts! LOL

Checked out the Whistlestop, nothing of interest, not now anyway.

Did the walk around the South Terminal. Arrived at 7am so you have all the flights to America going out. Packed check in hall with supervisors above the check in counters watching everything, cameras everywhere, you learn this after a while.

The British doorbell kept going off before each flight announcement. I love the doorbell but gets old after a while. smile

There wasn't much to pick up and I didn't really feel like doing the Airport Shopping thing so early. Took a glance past immigration into the coveted airside that I passed on. Had access to atleast 3 lounges, oh well.

Before I came over I was playing with purchasing a cheap Easy Jet ticket out and next time I think I will do that. The American planes to the US leave too early for me, whereas from Heathrow I can leave at 8pm, wonderful.

Now out to the place with fresh air. Cold air, yet fresh.

Had to pull over and put the jacket on, oh is it cold. Where is Miami now?

Wow this is too much! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

Nice to name it [i]the[/b] trip report http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Looking forwarded to the rest of it.

[This message has been edited by Kiwi Flyer (edited Mar 05, 2004).]

Ok, here is where I must come clean.

The original plan was to go to Frankfurt and spend a night and annoy a wonderful snob and wein connaisseur there. Big smile He pampered me well last time in November. Was very nice. From a German beerhall to Jimmy's Cigar bar. Lesen sie es, mein herr?

However, in doing trip planning, I could get nothing in FRA via Priceline and the hotel prices via every possible medium were out of this world. Here at home I freaked. I would be sleeping in the airport. Someday I may try that. Have given it thought, but not now. smile Our Novotel at 50 euros last November was close to 200. I called hotels direct, it was nasty. Anything near Frankfurt. Even the small Mercures when I called Accor, I was aghast.

So to play it safe I booked a Priceline for Gatwick, whewww, a roof over my head, and then did some research for what would happen if I were to 'miss the flight.' oops

We had a fantastic Thai food dinner (Siam, near LAX), one of our favorite haunts, prior to the LA regional airline show earlier this year. I had some of the greatest minds representing various airlines (i.e. Air France, Delta, ATA) and fellow travelers like myself. It is like a dentist going to another dentist. We need someone else to see the position clearly.

They all agreed over wonderful beef and pork(no one keeps kosher here) satay that as long as I am checked in and happened to miss the flight, I should be ok. So, that worked for me.

Hence, for the first time in my life, and hopefully the last, as it is nerve wracking, I needed to miss the flight.

Back to Gatwick.

Several options lay before me. My first was to go down to the shuttle, go to the hotel and get some shuteye.

Gatwick is a pain and needs to invent the elevator, as one refers to as the LIFT in these parts. Fair word. The Germans use it, too. Instead, you push your cart and Heaven help you if you are laden with bags, as I later was at Heathrow, down several flights of ramps. (bloody insane)

Then when you get to the bottom, not above, they tell the poor souls (suckers) that the coach station down below has been closed and you must go up one floor. Major, major sadists running this airport, and even more so Heathrow. For shame Britain. smile

The hotels 'courtesy' ha ha ha coaches do leave from this level, thankfully.

I phoned the hotel, checked the time, shared info with 2 lovely fellow Yank(British and Canadian slang for American) travelers who were appreciative. As it was biting cold out there I went inside and read the paper.

First, I had missed the shuttle that I thought was right as it is a generic white bus and it certainly didn't come when it was supposed to. So much for English efficiency LOL.

Then turns it out it was the wrong (bloody) shuttle which I found out later. Which worked out all the same.

There was another option, skip the hotel, wasn't that tired, had to pay for the shuttle, and plenty to do at North Terminal, so up the many ramps to departures and into the terminal.

You take a long moving sidewalk to/from the terminal. One could qualify for the Olympics by making basic rounds at this airport, won't even mention Heathrow for now, thanks.

Took the train which I do like to North Termnial. North Terminal is BA-British Airways' home at Gatwick and is a different world from the South Terminal, much more efficient and modern.

I also realized that I would no matter what from now on catch a Hotel COURTESY coach from the North Terminal, a millenia easier. By the way, they charge you to go to/from the hotel and the Britts are just about the only people tacky enough on this planet to do such a thing. Why more and more I just want to change and go on to the Continent. A couple of hotels at CDG, sadly, charge you, but it is free to the hotel then double back. But if you have a wonderful Parisian who can drive you over, save that as well. BAA bites!

Well, what do I do. I don't want to drag bertha airside, it ain't going to Frankfurt today, and
I need to stash it someplace, where the hotel would have come in handy and I would have broken even on the hotel shuttle fare. I went to the handy left luggage area, friendly chaps there, they x-ray the bag and give you a coupon which I like a good yutz misplaced.

Then went to BA First Check in. I had technically already checked in at Miami but wanted BA to know I was there, plus the extra freebie boarding pass makes for a nice gift as well, though it is AA(that I kept).

Did the check in, very friendly, and not too long of a wait. Made a quick cursory round of the North Terminal landside and then went through security. Sadly they had those queue thingies, what we call lines, and they weren't short.

Security in Britain is more efficient than in the US, but they have had the IRA and other troublemakers to deal with, we have only recently learned about terrorism on our own doorstep, Heaven Forbid.

Passed the security check with a B+ and everything in the bag. Now I hit one of the tables to put everything back.

Head for the wonderful and Heavenly BA Terraces Lounges for some nice rest, internet, drinks, sandwhiches, and a shower.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Kiwi Flyer:
Wow this is too much! &lt;IMG SRC="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif"&gt; &lt;IMG SRC="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif"&gt; &lt;IMG SRC="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif"&gt;

Nice to name it [i]the trip report http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Back to reading your report.[/B]</font>

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

removed

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 05, 2004).]

In case I didnt make it clear, I like the name. After all your hype in the other thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/004354.html), we all expect nothing less.

Keep it up.

[This message has been edited by Kiwi Flyer (edited Mar 05, 2004).]

thank you Kiwi...



[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 05, 2004).]

Alright, BA Terraces lounge, lovely lady checked the card and BP and wrote an L on the card so that I could come and go as I pleased.

Picked up the Mineral water, a la Americaine(with ice), and hit the internet. I updated
my trip notes with flyertalk, checked the mail, BA lounge wouldn't allow me to check my singles sites, so that went out the window.

I did a walk around the lounge and then did a walk through the terminal. Looked up my friend at the Travelex booth who unfortunately was home sick, sorry to hear.

Bought some Bendicks chocolates and after a look in the shops, back to the lounge.

Sandwhiches are out. They fill you up but get old fast. Watched a few planes and then
took a shower. The lounge has a private shower facility which is great. It is not the Cathay
Wing by any means, but quite nice.

As flight time rolled around I needed to get busy. I 'accidentally' walked to the other side of the airport, oops, then went to another gate, saw my BP, and called the Frankfurt gate and told them I was coming. I arrived at the gate, missed the flight. I have never in my life wanted a flight to close so much. It was done. They said we have more flights out of Heathrow and I said, ah, take a room at Gatwick. They understood as I had been there since 7am.

They also gathered that I was not in a hurry to get to Frankfurt which they had no problem with. They walked me to the chicken exit, walked through a security machine, they set me up for the next day, no problem and I think they figured out that I had intentionally missed the flight. Was not a problem.

Back to passport control, no stamp. She was very sweet and said she wouldn't stamp me as it would just cause confusion.

Downstairs to bag claim, they had my bags there, wasn't sure if they would go or not. American did send them on one time saying they were TSA cleared. I was prepared either way.

Out through an empty green channel to the landside, picked up my carry on, forgot the stupid coupon but they found it. Took forever for the shuttle to come and it was so very cold.
A cold I had not felt in a long time, but perfectly sunny. Amazing.

Bus came along and you pay but I expected it, it is kind of cheap in my opinion.

What used to be the Post House was now one of the many Holiday Inns at Gatwick.

Totally redone, marble floors, and such friendly staff. Quick check in and up to the room.

They had carts that helped to bring the bags up. With that did some quick unpacking and was out.

That night I arranged my suitcase for a quick check in at Frankfurt to Israel, separating the bags at that point.

I passed on dinner and just snacked on chocolates and mineral water, which worked for me, while watching tv.

Woke up that morning and did a brisk walk over to the Rennaissance hotel which I wanted to check out and bought some goodies at a petrol station. Boy they drive fast, a bloke just missed me trying to cross the street.

Packed up, did some quick room service with a wonderful club sandwhich, then hopped on the shuttle to Gatwick.

Had the friendliest check in agent who was great and walked around the terminal, picked up some timetables for friends back home, and then again, security, A-.

I went in later so didn't have as much time at the BA lounge.

Hit the Delta lounge and one of the generic lounges. All fun.

Ironically, the flight to Frankfurt left from the very gate where I had ended up yesterday, I laughed.

They took the BP and had stacks of newspapers, including the Financial Times.

I was shocked that the plane was full.

We had to go down to the tarmac and with the coat in the suitcase it was so cold. Note that BA had 2 empty jetways near the gate dead empty.

Boarded the full 737 and threw everything but the paper into the overhead.
Taxi out and take off into a very cloudy sky. Pretty much the same planes as I had seen yesterday, not much changes at Gatwick but you do get an occassional something cool.

Plane was chalk full but was doable.

Over the clouds and East to Belgium. They said we flew near Brussels which was hard to see with varying clouds in the way.

They served an apple pie which I am not big on and so gave it back.

The mineral water did wonders, thank you.

We flew over a major German city which I could not recognize, sorry, and started our descent. They said a plane going into Frankfurt had problems and so everyone else was being put into a holding pattern while they were able to go in.

The cabin crew didn't speak a single word of German but the pilot did come on and made a good announcement in German. I think it is part of the service.

We descended and then came in from the West with a few turns.

The plane flew right over Frankfurt Airport and then past the city, then turned around.

I was on the right side so at this point, the view was awful, but as he turned around
you had a fantastische view of beloved Frankfurt-City and then the Airport. I love Frankfurt and have strong feelings for this place. I have never had such a good view before
and of course the camera was packed away. It was a new camera that I hadn't started to use yet, who knew I would have this. We pretty much did the Tour of Hesse and saw all kinds of smaller cities, beautiful homes, thousands of trees, etc. A USAF plane flew right below us going in and was wondering if that was the plane that had trouble.

We did a full turn and then came in, I believe from the West, if I have my FRA geo right.

Incredible view all the way and then touch down, right side, could see the American military base with several USAF planes, never seen so many before there, to be honest, and there was a Northwest 747 parked there as well.

The people on the left had a good view of the airport, but if we had arrived on the normal runway, the right side is always better. Quick turn around and taxi to the gate at Terminal 2.

===

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 06, 2004).]

i think this is a great trip report, fun to read and full of info. keep it coming!!!!

Ok, landed at Frankfurt, exit z aircraft http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and up the escalator to arrivals. I was hoping to get to the BA lounge for a quickie but they blocked it off. So I went to the Generic Priority Pass lounge and she was very kind. A few good magazines and timetables after a drink and I was on my way.

I stopped at the Cathay lounge which was being used by someone, I think Asiana?, and I was able to get a coveted Hong Kong newspaper, something I love.

Then back down the terminal to Passport Control. German passport control is easy, stamp it, you are in. They also smile. Gott bless Deutschland.

After the delay I was amazed that the bags were still going around on the caroussel and we took care of that.

The benefit of BA sending my bags back at Gatwick vs. keeping them was that now they were EU customs cleared. I understand some German and the German customs wanted to check me. He noded to his fraulein counterpart to get me, but she said to him "er eine grune haben" meaning I have a green tag, so they can't check. ha ha There is nothing to check anyway, just airline junk. I said guten abend and she returned the same, good evening.

Out the door and behind the mass of Turkish people arriving from one of the interesting charter flights. I was just here in November, wow.

Went straight to BA, threw a couple of things in my bags and went to check in, Club Class line.

She checked my visit Europe, Oneworld ticket to Heathrow and then time for the bags. Remember, in Europe you get a much smaller baggage allowance than to/from the USA which is disgusting.

She nailed me, or tried, as they were over. I said I just came from the USA which technically speaking was right, though I had thrown a couple of things in, but was also on a special ticket only purchased in the USA and usually they work with us on the higher allowance. She went back to the supervisor and got it cleared, alles gut.

It was fun watching her tag my suitcase to Tel Aviv. TLV That was exciting.
Then the other bag went to Heathrow.

They only went along with the USA 2 piece system, not the carry on, so was stuck with that.

Off I went.

Frankfurt Airport has wonderful shops, delicatessens, konditorei, bakerei, you name it. I went to my favorite haunt which half of it was closed down, being remodeled?, I don't know, then went to a new deli and bought all kinds of yummy meats, salami, bratwurst, mineral water-Selters, und of course some wonderful German chocolate(schoogi), Theodora. Yummmm
I was already salivating.

Up the escalator where you can take the carts, but my shopping bag was not secure, out came the waters. Oh it was frantic. They fell onto the escalator and thanks to my sweet neighbor behind me we picked them up and put them in the bag. I laughed afterward, but not during. Wasn't so bad in the end.

I wanted to play at Terminal 1 landside but only had so much time, had 4 hours between the flights, so went back airside at T2 to deposit the carry on at a lounge. However, there were the gatekeeps at the checkpoint who didn't like my bag, though it is a fair carry on, just heavy. They tried to send me back down to BA, which wasn't going to happen as they would def. charge me for it, and we can't have that! I explained in broken German that I would gate check it. Took me 2/3 attempts but finally got through to them and they let me thru, but no trolley, so that stayed.
Yes, I quietly prayed in all this I can assure you and it worked.

Easy outbound passport control and then security, strip down, alles. While the bags were coming through I ran over and grabbed a cart airside, worked wonders.

I did a quick perousal at the main Duty Free store and some of the others. Then went to the Delta lounge with Priority Pass and left the bag there, after a drink or 2 and a WC visit, and a clean and well kept WC it was.
Delta lounge is large and spacioius, most comfortable. They also had some really good baloney.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by airlinemileswhore:
i think this is a great trip report, fun to read and full of info. keep it coming!!!!</font>

thanks, I love your name!!

I have more. At some point I am going to break down, but for now, want to get us to Israel, then will slow it down, as that is more rare. Thanks

===

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 06, 2004).]

I've no idea what your previous history on FT was but I supose if you didn't get banned, it can't have been that bad. Just ignore the emails and dazzle them with your report mate. Everyone deserves a second chance.

===

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 06, 2004).]

I agree with you about the wonderful rum punch on Cayman Airways. And I love the one legged pirate, as their symbol. One of the nicest places I have visited.

In the US I believe it's "3 strikes and you are out?" Even if you had 1, you still have 2 chances left. Just kidding.

Ok, from the Delta lounge I walked, and a long walk it is, to Terminal 1. The skytrain was the other way and I needed the walk, but turned out to be longer than I had thought. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Some history. On a previous trip in this middle area there was an ELAL 757. I photographed the ELAL 757, they have police and security all over. ELAL and the Frankfurt Airport security didn't like that. I was duly followed but never approached in a situation that was just quite freaky. I was so happy to get out of there.

Obviously, more than 24 hours going to Israel and walking past the scene of the crime, it came back to me, haunted me a little./ They followed, I ducked into a lounge, got out of the way, boarded a Lufthansa flight home to LA and that was that. Boy did it put me off and it didn't help me going to Israel anytime soon, ouch. /

Walked past the infamous area, even stood there, of course an empty gate. They have a special security gate C 21-23 for all fights to Israel and I hear it is nasty. No thanks. Hence, I would never fly directly from Germany to Israel, period.

It was pretty empty. They had a Lufthansa Airbus to Beirut, kind of cool.

To my surprise was the Red Carpet Club which was being renovated last time I was there in Nov. What they renovated I can't imagine, looked the same to me when I was there a few years ago, the time of the nasty ELAL incident.

I flashed my Untied P/E card and got in. He said they were closing in 5 minutes, so I grabbed a Hessia, a wonderful German sparkling water that has a sweet taste to it. If they had it in the store I would have bought some. Selters is also wonderful.

5 minutes were up and I was out., so made my way to the B area.

I like this since they have redesigned it. They have good Duty Free and shops. I headed past all the US bound x-ray machines, I get mine later, and went to one of the Lufthansa
Business Lounges. I wasn'f flying Star Alliance and as my beloved card was expiring the last day of Feb 2004, I wanted to get in. I flashed the card and they waved me in. I had had problems earlier in Nov. Kind of funny.

This is the lounge, used to be a Senator lounge(First class and more food), that we enjoyed when we went to South Africa. So many good memories here. They had the usual drinks, snacks, and newspapers. I grabbed a table by the window and watched planes take off. Hey I was happy to have gotten in. Air Mauritius A340, Croatia A320, SAA A340, the list goes on. I love this airport and I felt bad, almost disloyal for spending so little time there, but if you can't get a hotel, was konnen sie machen? (what can ya do? hope that is right)

I waved a thanks to the lounge warden and made my way down. Bought some more chocolates, they had some good Swiss ones which went to good use. I decided to pass on the Europe City Club, where I had spent much time the last time I was here, and to the Skytrain and to Terminal 2. I didn't want to miss my flight. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Found a cart and made my way to the Delta lounge. They had CNN and a few drinks and some more baloney. It was really good.

My cart was still there, now the fun.

After 9/11 they instituted a special checkpoint for certain flights, mostly the flights to the USA and for British Airways, turns out Qantas and Qatar Air as well.

There were long lines for this and I kind of freaked, but then also realized they would call us up as flighttime came, which they did. It really is a form of hell, nothing in regard to German efficiency or order, which is too bad.

For now I was allowed to keep the trolley, Gott dank. This bag was heavy.

They called up the Qatar Airways people and they moved forward. Then they called us up, BA to Heathrow, but he said the trolley stays there.

You go up to the security machine for your carry ons, but they do a very manual and personal http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif frisk and check. If the cute fraulein wants to do it fine, alles gut, but this really is over the top. It is intrusive. I went in, wasn't as bad as last time, the last guy was nasty,and then grabbed my stuff, sans trolley, and had to lug the bag.

I got to the gate, asked them to gate check it, which they did, but I did a faux pas.
I assumed she would think London is where I wanted it to go. More on that later. UGH

The gate area was crowded so I am like let them fight it out. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif but it was too close to departure to run down to the lounge, via LIFT, and they have a wonderful hot chocolate. It is a stupid security check and really fowls everything up. I figure eventually FRA will just submit everyone to another security check who is in transit, I even said that to the BA staff, who just looked away. I am sure they have heard it all.

Finally it cleared and after kicking back in one of the seats, I went up to get the aircraft reg.
Then boarded. BA 767 to Heathrow, info later.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bretteee:
In the US I believe it's "3 strikes and you are out?" Even if you had 1, you still have 2 chances left. Just kidding. </font>

LOL, amusant

Boarded by going down the escalator. More water falling out? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Yes, that had occured to me, cringe.

They wished me a pleasant flight and walked onboard. To my amazement it was full. Def. something very big going on in Frankfurt. So late at night.

Put what I could in the overhead and read my copy of Business Traveler.

Push back and BA safety video. Crew was very friendly and warm, much more so than the outgoing flight. Was this all the same day? Wow! what a day this has been.

Now, on the right side, I had the view of the terminals, planes, und alles. I love it!

I was sad to leave Frankfurt, I really do love this place. Have I communicated that yet?

I had intended to call Uli having my German phone card and es tut mir leid http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, I forgot. I owe you one. Anyway, I say hello now, my friend. It was quite a busy evening.

I also have good friends in Dus and Hamburg. All of my German friends have been very good to me. They send me good packages and are very nice. It is all appreciated, you know that. I love the Christmas package, danke!

Past the terminals and to the runway, turn around, we did the same going to South Africa so that was cool.

Take off, lift off, back to England.

It was cloudy most of the way and you couldn't see much, so read B/T. My seatmate was quiet, we exchanged pleasantries and that was about it.

I did one WC visit. We were in the middle section with the comfy leather seats, while those in the far back had a different, cloth seat and probably less legroom.

The plane did the usual fly over Belgium but could see nichts.

Over the English coastline and cloudy most of the way, some lights.

We came in from the West(near Windsor Castle), something I hadn't done in a very long time, and landed, with a good view of Terminal 3 and all the fun planes therein.

Arrived at the new section of Terminal 1 and lugged my (crap) to passport control.

I was weighed down with what I did have and if they had made me carry my big bertha carry on, I would have been dead. I was tired, it had been a long day, it is a very long walk to arrivals, and I barely made it. Sorry to ask for the sympathy.

It was after 11pm and the last Hoppa, pay bus to the hotels, was at 1130. I was stressing a bit. The line was small but slow moving. Again, some people had more intense questions.

When I got up I asked for a passport stamp on an emtpy page, which he did, said I am trying to make the last Hoppa, which he sympathized,and explained that in 24 hours, I would be on a plane to Israel(yeah). Stamp and out. The last time I did this flight, in November, I asked for a stamp on an empty page, she knocked out half of my beloved and coveted Kiwi stamp from Auckland, was not amused. Everytime I see it I give a growl. Not an easy stamp to get now is it?

Down to bag claim and I had to make tracks. My other suitcase came, onto the cart.
But then the suitcase destined for Tel Aviv came around, that freaked me out. I figured because it was late they would just come around, pick up the bags, and transfer them in the morning, but I played it safe and grabbed it as it made me a bit concerned.

Then came my carry on with a TLV tag on it, that freaked me, as the bag was destined to be left here at London. cringe. I was mad, but got out of there.

Out the exit at Terminal 1 to the coaches and I made it by 5 minutes max, whewww, otherwise, I would have to pay for a taxi to the hotel. Been there, done that, no thanks. Save it for Terminal 4.

Loaded the bags and off to the Marriott we go.

Had to porter the bags myself and it was a quick check in. 4th floor, somewhat of a view of LHR, and I had lounge access.

All my German goodies went to good use. What a day. The room was great and very comfy, though the view of the planes could have been better. Such is life.

Ok, up to a quasi sunny day at Heathrow and hit the Club Lounge.

Had a wonderful Bangladeshi who warmly welcomed me to the lounge and seeing I was a fellow plane spotter we got along just fine.

One of my all time favorite professors in college was from Bangladesh, an econ professor.
He invited me up to the 'roof', a hang out, for drinks. Was alwasy fond of him and this guy dearly reminded me of his sweet soul.

Breakfast was cold cuts, breads, cheeses, fruits, cereals, too much food, plus he went back and brought me mineral water. Planes kept taking off to the East with the Air Jamaica A340 being the most notable. What a beautiful plane.

There was a Qatar Airways flight crew together speaking Arabic, when the others left, the captain and I, along with the lounge attendant, started talking. This was exciting. I love meeting the crews here, they are more relaxed and you can ask them questions. I asked him about Qatar Air, seeing the DVD on Qatar Air which is one of my favorites. They showed an approach into Khartoum, Sudan, which was just awesome.

Then a beautiful English flight attendant from Emirates came in. Oh Paul!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Paul wants to work for Emirates and so I did get her e-mail. She has a boyfriend so forget it, but she will help you.

We sat there and talked about everything to do with aviation. It put me on an emotional high, I loved it. It is like a drug.

I asked them what they thought about people (removing) things from the plane and they said overall, if they don't see it, they don't care. Sometimes even if they do see it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif they pretend not to see it, which is what I gathered. They did mention a cabin crew for Qatar that had been fired for taking a newspaper, too strict. I have heard other stories.

They did go after people who took blankets, not that I would ever know anything about that.
The Air New Zealand blanket was just too tempting and I still have it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. I love it. I would pay for it. There are just no stores where you can buy this stuff.

We had a great time, great food, and each made their adieu. I did get her e-mail.

The attendant said when I come back, when I am at the Sheraton Skyline nextdoor, I can come back and if he is there, he will let me in. Very nice. When I did come back he wasn't there, oh well.

I wished him all my best, he is so sweet, and back to the room for final packing and whatever. CNN and all.

Now, I called a porter and the poter took Bertha and my other rollaboard for storage, tip of course. Check out was easy and friendly.

Took my green suitcase and my small carry on and hopped the Hoppa, which oddly enough stopped at the Sheraton next door where I would be in a few days and the driver had to go inside, so that was cool. So did I.

Off to Heathrow Terminal 1 where the set down is in a different place, upstairs at departures, new for me. He even helped me find my way. Not that I needed it but was nice to have one of the Hoppa guys actually give a darn, it was new.

They had so many timetables and goodies and I just couldn't take them, but actually never got back there. I grabbed one SN Brussels Air Timetable, sorry Phil and everyone. It is mine! I keep the first one. I thought I would get back.

After a quick walkabout, a pain with the cart and bags, down to the Heathrow Express
and out to Terminal 4. Oh what a pain this is. Down the lift, a very long walk to the train, then have to ditch the cart, then thru the barrier, then way down the platform, then onto the train, take the train to Terminal 4, then off, then out, then up to departures. It sucks!

When I have all my bags I just take a cab. I am not going for any medals. You would think BAA, the British Airport Authority, who runs Heathrow, would be utterly ashamed.

Many people bash Heathrow and if you aren't ashamed of that, what can I say?

I get to the BA Business Class line, and hours before my flight. I explain to the gatekeeper that I am a Sapphire. A Sapphire, what's that? Oneworld Sapphire, the equivalent to American Platinum. Whatever dude, keep up the good work, NOT!

Check in line was nothing, though coach was full, ouch. Glad I am not over there.

They didn't want to take the bag this early but explained that it had already been checked in. He had to clear it with a supervisor and was approved. A fresh, new TLV tag plus a new TLV boarding pass, he he he. I like BA boarding passes.

Went to WH Smith and they had a book I really wanted. Don't know the title exactly. It had to do with the East German Stasi files on the UK and a whole bunch of spying. I saw it somewhere online, really wanted the book, but didn't want to take it to Israel, who knew what they would think of it !? and I could just get it when I got back, right? WRONG. I love spy novels and have read many East/West books, love that stuff.

Oh well. I will find it someday. So I moved on. Went airside, show the BP, A- at security, and into my beloved Heathrow Terminal 4, one of my favorite places in the whole world.

It is a beautiful terminal, tons of great shops, great lounges, it is worldclass.

The Heathrow Terminals per se, like Gatwick, are great, it is the connection and hassle between them that is the problem. They need a Skyline train between them airside and landside and they just need to be more customer friendly.

Off to the BA lounges and the Heaven they are.

I always play with the lounge attendant. BA makes a big fuss about my Platinum card. No one else makes a fuss about the card and the boarding pass.

So I show one or the other. Then play around and show the other. It is childish but they annoy me so. The boarding pass has all your info and the other Oneworld airlines are fine with it, Qantas, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Cathay, it is just BA that makes a big deal, so I have fun.

Got a drink, caught up on the internet, and took a shower. Another en-suite shower, toilet, love it. Wonderful prior to a red-eye flight.

Toured the terminal and also visited the Holideck lounge, which is great as well.

Both lounges are multi level and fun. From the Holideck you can watch planes take off, while hearing the ATC, it is great.

I bought some chocolates at the Chocolate Box and looked at watches, not what I wanted.

I enjoy the shops, the feel, the quaintness of the terminal.

Back to the BA lounges and caught some zzzzs. Finally you had some Hebrew speakers
come in and my fellow passengers were arriving.

I wrote some last minute e-mails to everyone before heading off to Israel, oh this is exciting.

I was one of the last to leave as TLV and Athens are the last flights of the evening.

Made my way to the gate and here we go..................... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by InterflugIL62:
Who needs it? I wanted to leave the W/T 36 thing as a part of the past but Britt777 ruined that so I came out and put it here.
</font>

You're wrong, actually. If you read your own 'pre' trip report here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/004354.html), you'll see that mad_atta made the connection, on February 24th, at 01:12am. That's not me.

Pity, I was actually enjoying your trip report up until this point.

With regard to whomever is e-mailing you, I do sincerely hope that stops. I too have been subject to FT 'hate-mail' in the past, it's not warranted and there's no place for it here or anywhere else.

e-d-i-t

===

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 06, 2004).]

Alright people, before the big moment, and going to the plane to Israel for my first time was very, very special, does anyone have the words to Hatikvah, the Israeli National Anthem?

If you can get them, I would be grateful if you could please post it here on the trip.

That song makes me cry...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by InterflugIL62:
Thanks Dave. Apparently I have been forgiven. It feels nice, actually, feels very nice.

</font>

Just promise me one thing Michael - you'll get over it and not rake it up again in another year from now?!

Good luck, i'll look forward to the remainder of the report.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by InterflugIL62:

Alright people, before the big moment, and going to the plane to Israel for my first time was very, very special, does anyone have the words to Hatikvah, the Israeli National Anthem?

If you can get them, I would be grateful if you could please post it here on the trip.

That song makes me cry...</font>

Does this help?

Hebrew lyrics of HaTikvah:
Kol od balevav penima
Nefesh yehudi homiya
Ulfatey mizrakh kadima
Ayin leTziyon tzofiya

Od lo avda tikvateynu
Hatikvah bat shnot alpayim
Lihyot am khofshi beartzeynu
Eretz Tziyon vi'Yerushalayim
&lt;repeat last two lines&gt;

English translation of Hatikvah (according to Encyclopedia Judaica):
As long as deep in the heart
The soul of a Jew yearns,
And towards the East
An eye looks to Zion

Our hope is not yet lost
The hope of two thousand years.
To be a free people in our land
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

Thank you for the words to Hatikvah. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 06, 2004).]

Ok, here we go. This was a very special and dear moment for me.

I left the lounge and the terminal was dead empty, shops closed, kind of spooky. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

We were leaving and thank you, from one of the closer in gates, saved me all that walking.

I approached the gate and they had all these people dressed in black clothes, hats, kippot,
and garb. You can tell, I am excited. Oh this is cool. It is so real.

I have waited a long time for this.

You have those special moments in your life. Graduation, wedding, mine is still pending, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, but hey, I was very close(too close http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif LOL ), but most of my special moments are travel related.

When we went to board the South African plane to Jo'burg, the Qantas to Sydney, my first trip to Asia, my first trip to the UK, then later Paris. Now this. This was special. When I was at the doorway to the SAA 747-300, was like a dream.

I went over to a seat to get ready and prepare. I took out a pin with a US flag and Israeli flag together and put them on my shirt. Already I had stares and many smiles. I bought this at the Israeli Independence Day Festival in LA.

Many Friday nights at Shabbat (don't forget, I am in a church on Sunday), the Israeli Film Festival, Seders with the family(been a while there), Israeli thiss and thats, now here comes the graduation. Oh my.

I am excited and you can see it, you can feel it.

I go to the check in desk. No security questions? huh? She took my BP and stared at my lapel pin. It shows love and a strong friendship between the US and Israel. I have one for the UK and USA, just didn't bring it, but it is appropriate as well, all my heritage. I also have a Switzerland/USA pin, you get the idea.

We walk down the hallway. Has to be 90% Israelis on the plane, speaking Hebrew, I look at the aircraft, a BA 767,
get the reg #, again, all will be provided later. Promise. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif chocolates, lounges, and all. LOL

Ok, do they do a security check down here? No... Walk on the plane. Wow, this plane is different.
The seats are different and nicer than the Euro version of the BA 767. Everyone is standing, yacking in Hebrew, many look at my lapel pin and smile. Should I have worn kippot? (I left it at home!)

I take my seat, carry ons in the overhead. Keep my book on the Israelis, figure it is in good company here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif,
and say hello to my neighbor, not realizing at the time that he and I will become very close over the next 5 hours.

I asked him why no security questions? He said BA doesn't do it. Some airlines do, Air France and Lufthansa are some that do, but he said, ouch, when I leave Israel, I will get some questions, and I will remember them!
"When you leave Israel you will be asked questions and you WILL remember them!" and I quote

A very tall man, probably a Rabbi!?, with kippot, kept walking up and down the aisles. He didn't want to touch a girl who was in the aisle assorting her things, she is oblivious to him, he puts his hands just above her, trying to get by, and he goes back and forth. Sorry, but http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif his big butt LOL is in my friend's face, and my new friend is ticked.

He pulls a face. I am laughing hard. I say it is intimate, well, let him be intimate somewhere else.

It is too, too funny, oy, ya had to be there. Everyone is talking fervently and mostly in Hebrew. A very lively crowd, I am loving it. This is so exciting, probably one of the most exciting moments in my life.

Our neighbors in the seats in front of us yack constantly in Ivrit, though later exchange pleasntries with us in
English, but have their seats all the way back.

Final checks and we push back after a small delay, pulling away from Terminal 4. I have always dreamed of this event, you can't even imagine. Sometimes the dreaming is part of the fun, right?

They did the safety video, same as other BA 767s, but the plane is nicer, a different seat material, headsets, and in the same package, comes a small coach amenity kit, nice touch. BUT they need more legroom. While not AA and the guys in front had their seats back, and the crew doesn't say anything!?, there could be more legroom.
During the long and protracted announcements, oh he is boring!, not a word of Hebrew, that is rude.

As we taxi out, BA 744 to Singapore and Sydney, they kept paging the last passengers. SQ 744, Emirates 777, probably that gorgeous stewardess was on there. The other BA 767 which I am sure is to Athinai, Athens.

Then who is directly across from us but the ELAL 777. Too funny. This plane is full, who is on ELAL?

It was great to see it, however, they would go before us and hence, be at customs before us, ugh.

ELAL goes, then we turn around, oh my gosh I am going to Israel, time to scream. So many songs to go through my head. What do I sing to myself? Havanagila. Spelling? Havanagila is perfect for a takeoff. It starts out slow, builds up, then goes fast, which you match to take off.

And away we go. Hava Nagila Hava, Nagila Hava.....................lift off...........................

Fly over Terminal 4, cheers, and some lights, and into the clouds.......................................

sorry, I have to go soon, but I will write a little bit and then Shabbat tonight will prepare me to write about Israel. promise

thank you all, this has been wonderful and very inspiring... and I made a new friend today... my heck

I need chocolate! and I need it now!! LOL

Ok, over the clouds. I am over the (freaking) Wing, so can see squat. When I called in it was all they had. Normally, I would say shame on me for not changing the seat assignment, but when you see the wonderful seatmate I have, I am happy.

No map and no airshow. No watch, so I have no idea what time it was, left it at home and the watches on sale at Heathrow, ick.

Over dark clouds, with wing below, kind of drove me nuts.

They started showing tv shows, wasn't bad. Started with the BBC news which I watch everyday, if possible, thanks to BBC America. I would die without it.

Then they went to a program of different sitcoms. One UK show I have never seen, most interesting.

I pulled out my Israeli book and did some cramming for the final. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I learned so much about Israel and the Israeli people from this wonderful book, you have no idea.

I would have liked to have had a prayer book, in English of course, but that was not to be and my Christian Bible was home. Oh well.

My seatmate and I start casually yacking. So, where are you from?

I forget his name, awful? He is a dual citizen from Israel and the US and lives near Washington D.C. Hey,are you on flyertalk? LOL

I feel good about him and we talk. He is a fellow worldtraveler and the guy has been everywhere. We swap travel stories and experiences.

The man is a romantic. He took his wife to Italy as a surprise, but told her they were going to Niagara Falls. He then invited their friends. She was touched. I was touched! That is something I will do for my wife.
Hey, I have surprised women with some nice gifts, it is a good start, and my brother took his wife to New York as a surprise, so it runs in the family. smile

I told him at the end of the flight how lucky his wife is. He smiled.

Dinner came. My first real BA meal, vs. the little baggy they give you with not much in it.

Quite impressed. A full platter, much bigger than American, a delicious chicken curry, which was mentioned on flyertalk, some salad I was, ahhhhhhhh, the apple pie, Brian, take it! but the bread and accoutrements and all was good. I don't remember all but the chicken was good and I have snacked all day, bad on me. Kitkat was nice as well.

We do more talking and comparing stories, explaining it is my first time to Israel. He, like an Israeli friend who visits the Synagogue, told me they were very proud of me making the trip, my first Aliyah, and by myself at that. No one else wanted to go. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

We both agreed it was time for a bathroom break. For me to go only once on a 5 hour flight is very good, right guys? LOL

It was great to stretch, walk through the cabin. Usually people are sleeping at what must have been 2 freaking in the morning. They were all up yacking. People in the aisle, big but http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif up and down and up and down, and that drove my friend crazy, laugh...

People did stare at my lapel pin, most smiled. I liked that. It showed America's support for Israel. They, like the UK and others, Australia and New Zealand were also there as I was down under when it happened, were there for us on 9/11. Tear.

The cute stewardess who had served us was in the back and I asked for another kitkat bar if they had one. Can't explain it, the British one is so much better than ours. 1 point for the Britts.

She also said yeah, I have given you too much water. I had a small crush on her, I think she could see it. She had a German flag on her lapel pin meaning she speaks German, should I try to impress her with my terrible German? I think not. yeah she was cute.

Back to the seats, more yacking, some more reading, and a little zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Sorry for the suspense, but I need to break it here, right before we land in Israel.
he he he Shalom

===

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 06, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 777Brit:
Does this help?

Hebrew lyrics of HaTikvah:
Kol od balevav penima
Nefesh yehudi homiya
Ulfatey mizrakh kadima
Ayin leTziyon tzofiya

Od lo avda tikvateynu
Hatikvah bat shnot alpayim
Lihyot am khofshi beartzeynu
Eretz Tziyon vi'Yerushalayim
&lt;repeat last two lines&gt;

English translation of Hatikvah (according to Encyclopedia Judaica):
As long as deep in the heart
The soul of a Jew yearns,
And towards the East
An eye looks to Zion

Our hope is not yet lost
The hope of two thousand years.
To be a free people in our land
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

</font>

I just returned from Israel in January. I tell you one of the best landings was comming into Ben Gurion just as morning hit. You come from above the clouds and all of a sudden you see the Israli coastline and within seconds you cross to the runway. I would like to go to Israel again soon as I have family over there.

I agree with you. British Cadbury and Kit Kat is much better than in the US. I think it's because of the milk.

Ok, with CNN Inside Africa over, my news about Africa for the week, let's go land in Israel. (actually caught it at the Admirals Lounge at LHR last week, wow, makes ya think, doesn't it? I was walking to my plane to NY one week ago at this time)

____

I started dozing off a little. It is not really sleeping, it is more resting, hard to sleep on a plane and in tight conditions. The plane was messy and we need more legroom. Oh well.

The pilot came on and said we are now in our descent, yeah!, and we should be landing in about 35 minutes, one of the greatest things to the captives in coach, which some dear soul refers to as Why, I may agree with that.

Cabin lights came on. Then, not earlier which would have made sense, they passed out Israeli landing forms, something new for my collection.

Why they don't do this at the beginning of the trip, I shall never know. Too much!

So I grabbed the pen and filled out the info. Something new I have never seen before, the State of Israel wants your dad's name, have no idea why, but I put it, he being the Jewish parent.

The chief purser, sorry, was annoying.
He made long announcements and was kind of boring. Not to be rude, but, yeah.

The crew did the final checks, sadly, picked up the headsets when there was a British sitcom on I had never seen before, and Donny Osmond was the guest of honor. Love it!

Everything goes in the carry on, yes, everything. If it is in the seat pocket, it goes, not that I would ever take those safety leaflets that say DO NOT REMOVE cause that would be naughty. Oh wait, I can be naughty, he he he ha ha ha !

Lo and behold, the moment I have waited (38) years for, there were lights yonder and they were Israel. Wow!

An incredible feeling went through me when I saw Israel/Y'israel for the first time.

No, I didn't cry, much much to my surprise, but I was filled with joy and happiness. I suppose I cried inside, vs. outside.

The stupid wing was in the way and so I had to look beyond the wing to get a view, but I wouldn't trade my seatmate in for anything.

Ironically, as we went into descent, we shook hands and introduced ourselves, and sadly, can't remember his name and I am sorry that we didn't exchange e-mails, cards, etc. Would love to show him around LA when/if he gets out here. He is cool.

We flew over the coast of Israel, Zion, the Holy Land, call as you wish, over Tel Aviv/Jaffa.

I had asked on flyertalk(.com) on the ELAL board about where is the best place to sit.

They said if you do a normal landing, on the left, with a great view of Tel Aviv below, to your right, Jaffa, also a good view. If you come in that way, which most planes did as I saw from below during my stay, it is a quick descent. But they also said you can go another way, fly past the airport, which we did, in this case, I think the right side was best.

How do I explain it?! It looked like Israel. It was 5 something am, February, completely dark, but you could see the Israeli style architecture and feel it as we came in.

The plane kept heading East and I joked, are we going to Jordan? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I know that Israel is not that big.

My friend chose Syria as a guess. LOL That would not be good!

A plane flew right below us on final, cool.

We did a sharp right turn and the wing flaps sounded like a dentist drill, which I even made that comment to my friend. Been a while since I have sat on the wing but you do get good wingflap action, both in view(daytime) and sound.

My favorite wing noise is on the 777. Coming into Singapore on Emirates(from Jakarta), we were right on the wing and he made the coolest approach over Singapore City. The flaps on a 777 are noisy and you hear them, especially if right above. I love this stuff.

As we made our turn and final approach you could see little pockets of Israeli towns, apartments, lights, but it looked Israeli, hard to explain. Some cities look alike, not here!

You could see the lights of Tel Aviv straight ahead of us as we approached.

Insert Hatikvah here, an appropriate time to sing it.

I made the slight comment that the reading light of the guys in front of us who have had their seats back the entire time was annoying, but didn't plan on any action.

My beloved seatmate looked forward and said:
"Gentlemen, this is this man's first trip to Israel and your reading light is interfering with his view." They turned it off. I was shocked. I was also appreciative, as the view was now better.

Touch down and reverse. I applauded. Surprisingly, I was pretty much alone. I think one other joined me briefly.

It actually told me alot that they weren't applauding. Sometimes after a long flight into LA, we applaud. It is that we are home! Many join in.

The Israelis didn't feel that way. My friend kind of gave the hint, they have left Israel to get away from all the violence and the problems, now they are back. Fair point. Sad.

Nevertheless, this is my first 'Aliyah' or going up, and it was special to me.

We turned around, you could see the radar circling around and then the new terminal 3. It is dark with few lights, you would think they would have more lights, show it off, also for security reasons, no sabbotage.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the famous terminal from the plane. We taxiied, you could see a stack of planes, and we turned right into that area.

A few ELAL's, the LY 777 from London, a Swiss A320, AF A320, LH A340, etc. Not too much but a fair amount. They were scattered
all over. We stopped, parked, engines shut down.

Getting up, carry ons, and we filed out. I said thank you to the sweet English girls who took care of us. The one up front was a doll. British Airways has some outstanding crews(makes AA look like McDonalds, sorry)

Out the door and into a weather protected staircase(enclosed with a roof, more rare).
To be safe I held the handrail going down and others dashed past me. I just don't want to fall.

I said shalom to the cute girl at the bottom of the stairs and that this was my first trip to Israel(I know, sounds geeky) and she smiled and said welcome.

You had a security guy down below keeping an eye on things and I have heard that security officers stand at the bottom of the steps of all incoming flights into Israel, probably not a bad idea for other countries as well.

I then saw the famous Arrivals hall which has been in many movies, travel books, and what have you. When I lived in Ohio a guy who came to Israel photographed it on video and then some and I just wouldn't do that.
It is a very security conscious airport and cameras make security people uptight. Remember Frankfurt.

Onto the bus. Stood next to my friend and he said "What, you're not going to get down and kiss the ground?" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Hey, I thought about it, maybe later. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

We were taken to the terminal.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by danielonn:
I just returned from Israel in January. I tell you one of the best landings was comming into Ben Gurion just as morning hit. You come from above the clouds and all of a sudden you see the Israli coastline and within seconds you cross to the runway. I would like to go to Israel again soon as I have family over there.</font>

If we had landed about 45 minutes or so later, would have happened. But you know what, sounds stupid, I always wanted to arrive at night, now I will go for the day.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bretteee:
I agree with you. British Cadbury and Kit Kat is much better than in the US. I think it's because of the milk. </font>

Oui, ca fait du sens, actuellement.

You can taste the milk and it is yummy.

I need to buy kitkat over there. Was going to at the LHR arrivals store but too overpriced and poor me would have to carry it, oh no. LOL

Ok, we are in Israel. Thank you everyone for the nice comments. I am receiving them in different places. If Sarah(Dallas) says I am sounding like her, uh oh. I can't afford the Four Seasons, save to hang out in the lobby and steal their pens, LOL

Thank ya dear.

____

The bus made its way to the terminal. Again, more stares at my lapel pin.

It was dark and a little cold. I assume most, if not all of you, have seen some pics of the famous Ben Gurion arrivals hall. It says Welcome to Israel in English left, Hebrew(Ivrit) right. It is on the airport website.

There are several Israeli flags, wanted to kiss one, but they were on the other side as there are 2 main staircases going in. I have always used my imagination as to what was beyond those doors. A series of hallways, escalators, this and thats. No.

You walk up the emotional staircase and into the building into a giant arrivals hall.
It is huge, well built, good design, and with high ceilings.

I had to go to the desk and finish writing my passport #. I had half of it memorized. I think I can do it all now as I tried it coming into NY.

Not a bad thing to memorize. That and your DL and of course your American and Starwood frequent flyer and hotel cards. I forgot my stupid Hilton # and didn't have the # with me, oy.

My friend went to the Israel Inspass machine and was gone like a flash. I could NOT say the same. I did take some time to check it out and I was impressed with the place.

A question on flyertalk was do they have a transit area? Yes, they do, they had a big sign for transits, I guess for Europe to Jordan, Cypress, or what have ya.

Ah, the lines were long, I mean really long, and they were not moving.

Israelis to the left, all of us here foreigner people to the right.

I am curious that they don't have a special desk, pre-passport control, for those making a real Aliyah or moving to Israel. I use the term loosely for my visit. It is also what you do at a Bar Mitzvah ceremony when you go up to read the Torah.

I was not pleased with the slowness. --- I had this at Narita. I had one hour to change planes going to Hong Kong and thought, hey, let's go landside and get a stamp. Big, big mistake. Til this one, slowest lines ever and then customs there, too. Barely made it back. Ouch ---

I also know, with all due respect http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, of the Israeli (and Arab) culture to cut in line. It is a national pastime. Well not in front of me, well, so I thought.

I don't know how they did it but 3 people very subtly cut in front of me. 2/3 was an older couple. I wanted to tell them to go somewhere but passed. I am not in a hurry. Who knows what time the hotel will check me in. I did request an early check in.

When we got up to the railing, thank you for having them!, I put my hands out to both sides, carry on draped over my shoulder and Duty Free bag on the floor. You ain't gonna get past me, ha ha.

The officers, and all women( I like that part), are in very narrow cubicles and you have several cubicles bunched together, kind of weird, to be honest.
An American girl(and cute) in the line to my left looked to her neighbor and said how the officer was being very thorough. Oh yes. The line to my right had an Algerian family, Orthodox Jewish, kippot and all, which had passport problems. The officer would hold up the passport behind the window and point to something. I am sure they were hating life. You could see it. They were there a long time and there were there when I finally left. God bless them.

The sun was coming up in this long wait, I am guessing about 45 minutes or so, maybe more, who knows? they did have a clock in front. I could see the BA logo at the baggage claim ahead where the Israelis were getting their bags, no foreigners, we were all here.

Our line was actually moving. I was wondering what on earth are they doing up there? having tea? LOL (line from a tv show)

Quick flashback. On 2 occassions, one at Zurich and one at Paris CDG. I was in line for passport control when respectively, an ELAL plane came in. Several of the arriving passengers ignored us and went for the front.

I was furious on both counts and at Zurich people made a fuss. The Swiss P/C and police de l'air did nothing, sitting behind the windows. I like how in England and the US we have a gatekeeper who controls the line and sends you to your desk. Then it is harder to cheat.

I will say this politely and carefully. This behavior just doesn't inspire positive feelings for Israelis who do that crap, especially in a foreign country. What are ya thinking? Moving on...

When I got to the front of the line a Hassidim was at the front of his line. He then stood out in front of the railing thinking he was going to go to the first booth that opened. Nah ah. I stepped up and held my ground.

When the dear, cheating older couple who had cut in front of me moved on, it was my turn, and I jammed up.
he he he Don't take me on, LOL.

Ok, now let us see what on earth is taking so long. You look at the passport,check the computer, move me on.
NOT Not here anyway.

She took the passport. I said Shalom but showed I needed English. She took a while and checked my passport, looked at me, checked. Then asked me several questions. How long? why? where? how? blah blah
Do you know anyone in Israel? yes, 2 guys, Dov and Ophir. but I don't know their last names. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif sorry guys. Probably can't pronounce them either. smile How did you meet them? From an internet travel group(flyertalk).
Do you have any family in Israel? No. (well, technically, I have very distant cousins, relatives that I learned about in our family history) A bunch of Latvians got tired of the place, smile, some went to South Africa, most came to Canada(and then some here, obv), and some went to Israel/Palestine at the time. I have seen pics of them, but I don't know them. So, I said no, which is fair.

I forgot what else but it was a fair amount of questions. I did explain it was my first trip to Israel and she noted that I am alone, something that seemed to be somewhat of a concern. I asked for a stamp and "you want a stamp?"
Ken(yes). Boom. That stamp just knocked me out of most Arab/Muslim countries. The question I have most is with Malaysia, which is Muslim. ( A Canadian was arrested arriving in Lebanon with an Israeli stamp, fyi)

I am done! NOT! First, as long as that took, I was faster than the average person. I would not want to do this on a regular basis. Sorry to say.

Then you head to the exit and there are security people standing there. Ok, they want to confirm that I have been cleared. Nope.

A very cute girl and she reminded me of a beautiful Iranian girl that I knew in college(one of the clubs I was in)
took me to the side. She took my passport and asked me the very same questions that the passport officer had asked me, wow. She was cute, she was polite, and she was professional, but it was a security interview like I have never seen in my life. I assume that if you fly ELAL you don't do this as the first officer asked me what flight I came in on, BA. (note, I say girl to show younger, vs. woman, older)...

She asked me the questions, the biggest one why am I alone? I explained quite frankly, no one else wanted to come.
She dropped it. I also explained that while my stay in Israel is short I am on a long, overall 2 week trip to Europe.
She asked about who I knew in Israel. Explained how we met. I think last names would have helped. Then she could have called Dov at 6am and yanked his chain. smile.

She had a piece of paper in my passport which I wish I had looked at before going to the exit. The first officer makes notes on what they ask you, which the 2nd officer duly looks at. If you are inconsistent with your answers, you ain't gonna like life!

She also asked me if anyone had given me anything to take off the plane. No, I am alone. Think French Kiss where Kevin Kline puts the plant/diamond in Meg Ryan's bag. Something to think about. He gets stopped at customs, she doesn't. Because she is so innocent looking. smile

My cute officer goes and confers with a supervisor in Hebrew. They yacked for a bit. yikes Longer than I would have thought necessary. She came back, handed my passport, and said "have a nice trip." Toda rabah
( by the way, her accent was sexy, too)

Whewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

If I went through that crap everytime I traveled I think I would travel less. Too much. Never expected it on arrival, but on departure, and they ask you more on departure. Oh joy..........

Now to bag claim. It has been so long(same with Cairo) that the BA sign is now down completely. Fortunately, I saw the sign from inside P/C. Now it was an ELAL flight from Bangkok.

However, my bag was not there. Uh oh.

I had that 'prompting' to go check the other caroussel and there it was. I had put a big (kiss up) I love Israel or something sticker on it, maybe that helped.

I walked around the bag claim a bit and grabbed a cart. I can roll the suitcase but took the cart. I saw the way to the Aliyah/Absorption office for immigrants, which is exciting itself.

It is a nice arrivals hall, not too shabby. I should have exchanged money here but there was a line.

I also want to say that I had been strengthened spiritually. I usually get nervous at security, customs crap, but as the religous people on here can confirm, the Lord had blessed me that I was very confidient and relaxed.

If you arrived nervous or fidgety, I think you would get nailed. So I am very appreicative of the strength that I had.

Out to the green channel at customs which I expected would be another E ride at Disneyland. To my surprise, it was empty with one guy sitting in the middle yacking with a woman. Not the dreaded customs hall of LAX Bradley, which I don't care for (too strict) that I was thinking and out the door.

Thanks for making me giggle. I agree with you that AA crews are like McDonalds compared to BA, though I love the AA legroom on 777s vs. BA tight 31" legroom.

I told you to sit on the right side. Probably a fluke that it was the better side.

Yes Mazel tov / congratulations: you will no longer be allowed to visit Malaysia now that you have that stamp; unless you get a new passport. I think they charge a lot in the US to renew a passport. This is an expensive stamp.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bretteee:
Thanks for making me giggle. I agree with you that AA crews are like McDonalds compared to BA, though I love the AA legroom on 777s vs. BA tight 31" legroom.

I told you to sit on the right side. Probably a fluke that it was the better side.

Yes Mazel tov / congratulations: you will no longer be allowed to visit Malaysia now that you have that stamp; unless you get a new passport. I think they charge a lot in the US to renew a passport. This is an expensive stamp. </font>

Salut et merci pour les infos.

The right side is what BA gave me, but worked out fine. As you will see when we get there http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, I am so tired now, I had the right side leaving Y'Israel but went right into the clouds which was sad.

Some American Air crews are wonderful, but there are so many bad ones, and I mean BAD, that it just makes you pull your hair out. We had one on the LHR-JFK route, I just don't know how she has a job. A whiny little thing and drove everyone crazy. But I also had one on BA LHR to CDG that you will learn about someday, when we get there. She reminds me of the witch on the Weakest Link. UGH

The report will slow down as I wanted to get us to Israel and then do that quality thing. LOL

Sad to hear about Malaysia. I was afraid of that. I am getting so many stamps that I am ready for a new passport anyway,as they are special to me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

A bientot, Shalom

First, again, I want to thank everyone for their comments. Had dinner tonight with some people and they gave me their feedback. It is appreciated.
I am taking it slow on sending out the report to my e-mail list because someone will whine that it is too much mail, while I have others who want more NOW! I love it. Patience.
It is easier to send it all out at once(it really is alot of people). I may step it up a bit this next week if no one complains about too much mail, which many of you saw on the Yahoo group it was nuts this week.
Remember, I am just the messenger and should not be shot. Thanks. (but I get to do the shooting http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) he he
______________

OK, this is a big moment. The first time you come through the customs exit doors into a new country.
Certainly Israel is very special emotionally. I have seen the arrivals hall many times on the news. When they shot at the Arkia 757 at Mombassa the place was bristling with people waiting for loved ones who had survived. . However, in the Israeli movie 'Besame Mucho' (kiss me often) when the little geeky English kid comes tripping out, that is more what I had, a very empty and desolate place. He waves his hand, Israel! Too much. I know millions of emotional greetings have taken place here, but unfortunately, none were for me, and I wouldn't ask anyone to climb out of bed and be here at 6am to greet me.

I exited into the arrivals hall, almost dead as a nail. A few people holding signs up for names. It is funny because it looked rather diferent than from times when I had seen it on the news, but looked very similar as to the movie Besame Mucho which I had wondered was a movie setup. I was suprised that they were allowed to film there.

There is an Israeli import shop called Steimatzky over in the Valley where I have spent some time. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif To say the least. Have picked up many good Israeli CD's, movies, books, and just hung out. Plus, the owner taught me
Ma nishma, spelling?, meaning how are you? He would play the CD's and let me sample them. Love it!

I looked forward and there was a Steimatzky which now is the real thing. I looked at the stores but with no Israeli money, yet, I couldn't buy anything. I hate that peniless feeling. Plus, I am betting it is cheaper in Tel Aviv.
We also have an Israeli market, Super Sal, which I could have fainted when I first walked in, it was incredible.
A non-Israeli is rare as who else wants to shop here? I think I have taken care of their chocolate products bill for a long time. So I have been intro'd to Israeli chocolate, but now wanted to see what was here. They had an incredible bar called Krispit and I bought the entire box(mom, no comments, thanks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ). Unfortunately, I have yet to find any more of them and I am hooked. Israeli chocolate is very good. Those who are nice might get to sample some.
Maybe, smile. I also casually hang out at the store. Big ELAL 744 model(yes, I want it!) hangs from the ceiling. (the women there are cute!)

I have even brought some chocolate to church for our socializing time. Does very well. Ironically, at the Oneg at the Temple, they never have anything Israeli. Oh well. (but their cookies are wonderful! so all is forgiven LOL )

So, did the shops, saw the food court, I ain't hungry, passed the ELAL ticket center, but no goodies( don't worry, I get some later, he he ). Then to the departures area.

Yes, I was dissapointed. The Arrivals hall is nice, modern, and a good piece of architecture. Probably why they show it more in movies. The Departures area, ah, it is old.

I also wanted to go see the infamous security check, something that turns people off of coming back to Israel. I will do a full spiel on that later, promise. Most of the checks take place behind a large gate so you can't see. The officer is there with her clipboard. All looks freaky to me. Do I feel Israel goes overboard on this? definitely. I know it.
Do they need security checks, Entebbe and all? Yes, but don't scare the good people off. Most people are private and don't like to answer 500 personal questions.

-One of our worst security experiences was after Lockerbie. We flew TWA and coach at that from Heathrow to LA. Wow, what a bunch of questions. I was blown away. Too personal and overkill and you can tell now they have stepped way back. Flying AA out of Heathrow where I was in transit I had one minute of questions. Do the C/R thing: yes, yes, no, no, yes, yes, no, no, yes. This is a friend of mine who memorized all the security questions and then did this at Frankfurt.
They were not amused.

When we were at CDG flying TWA home she started asking us in English and I got tired of it, blew her away by going into French and answering everything they were looking for. She was amazed, kept quiet, then moved us on, worked for me! LOL -

So I looked through the cages, not too much of course, looky loo that I am, at the operation. To be honest, I had expected much more and I do hope that the new terminal will provide that. It is a small, cramped area and for all the time they have had, there should be more space and efficiency. I did see the BA/LH/CO area, area D, ah, looks alright. Yeah, it was empty then, much worse when I had left. I was concerned about leaving and the hassles involved, but that seemed to comfort me a bit. Hey, they ask you what they ask you, and you live with it. You are leaving the freaking place anyway, right? smile

Just to share I know people who have had BAD experiences with the security, some Jewish, some Christian, one Arab(Palestinian-penpal of mine) and some won't go back. More on this fun when I leave.

I found a bank and exchanged my beloved Swiss money, 100 CHF Franks to Shekels(about 300 or something). Figured that would be enough for a taxi into town, some spending money, and would be fine and then find a 'real' bank in town. It was Bank Hapaolim, have heard of them, and actually they gave me a decent exchange rate. I used the credit card most of the time, but you do need some cash. Fluent English and friendly.

A friend of mine in Europe warned me about all the bad service I would get in Israel, sorry to dissapoint, but no, they can be very friendly and kind. Actually I enjoyed the service. I was very much welcomed to Israel. Once you get through all the security crap, Israel is wonderful.

Half of the exits were blocked and they are manned by plain clothes security. I went back to Arrivals and then outside.

I stood there looking at the famous Terminal that I have seen in pics, movies, and the like. Airliners Worldwide magazine from the UK did a story about Ben Gurion. Brian and I were in the Borders bookstore at the Bridge near LAX when I saw the magazine. Let's just say I studied everything on the article. Airliners.net also has some good pics of the airport.

It is a very security conscious airport, hence, my camera never came out to public view anywhere at the airport, not worth it. I have been chastized for taking pics at different places. I didn't need the gamble.
There are plain clothes police everywhere. Cameras, too. What I was surprised was that there wasn't an over presence of uniformed police and soldiers. A friend of mine told me when he landed in Israel, he led a tourgroup, he was looking for someone and the soldiers were right there to say, hey ,how ya doing? May we help you? cringe. They are watching everything.

It was kind of cold, but it was a nice breeze, light wind, trees blowing. Loved it. Almost felt tropical.
I am here.

I headed to the taxis and booked a taxi to Tel Aviv. Bus, in Israel? no thanks. LOL

Kind of like in Mexico and one other country, forgot where, you go to a taxi office way to the other side away from everything and sign up for a taxi. Rennaissance Hotel on HaYarkon St., the main street in Tel Aviv where most hotels are.

You could see the ELAL maintenance hangars, the tails of a couple of planes, and hear a few planes taxxing out. Not a very busy airport by any means, but it is very interesting.

I was directed to a taxi and got in, Shalom, do you speak English? some, ok. We could chatt a little with my few words of Hebrew and his somewhat better English.

I have always been curious about this drive, one more reason to take a taxi than a bus, which this bus, I guess, I would trust.

Exit the airport and out onto the highway to Tel Aviv. You pass the checkpoint into the airport, curious how that works. ( I think the one at LAX is worse)

I have always had an interest in Tel Aviv. Certain cities pique my interest, long before I ever get there. Frankfurt being one of the big ones, and I feel at home in Frankfurt, Paris, London, Zurich, Johannesburg, Sydney, Hong Kong, Montreal & Toronto, etc. I have my list. I have always wanted to go to Tel Aviv specifically, now I am coming home. No one said welcome home, but I felt it anyway.

It was a nice trip on the highway, actually reminded me very much of the trip from Malpensa Airport to Milan. Similar houses, scenery, it is a small world. It really is.

I always pictured something different. Very green, some big houses out here, whereas in the city it is mostly, if not all, apartments. I like the empty feel and the openess. Far from the case in Tel Aviv, as with LA.

They had the traffic conditions in Hebrew on the big boards over the highway. I love those. Paris has the best, of any city in the world. LA has a long way to go as we have some, but if we had more, we would know to divert our driving.
Bouchon et tous. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif He had the morning radio on from which I could understand zilch.

I had studied a map before going and tried to figure out the freeway system. How different it is to see it in person.

I had considered the Sheraton Ramat Gan, mostly as it is a new hotel. People got after me, especially an English mate from Manchester(Jewish) who has travled to Israel many times. Said stick with the main hotels in Tel Aviv.
In fact we debated it. My Israeli friends also gave me advice, stick with the main hotels. So I did.

As expected, people are darting in and out, changing lanes, cutting you off, I expected it, but it freaks you out a bit to see it. They aren't as bad as in Egypt, but def. more aggressive than back at home. (LA drivers can be pretty bad, fyi!)

I wouldn't want to drive here. They are crazy. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Cairo drove me insane with the honking and just utter chaos. This is more organized and there is some reason to the highways, driving, but there is, ah, major room for improvement, to be honest. I have read articles on Israeli driving. They turn right from the left lane, right from the left lane, and I actually saw it. Cringe! I guess they don't give tickets!? Where would you start? Mexico City was like this. Mexico City was so crazy that Brian and I sat in our hotel room and watched traffic(Crowne Plaza downtown). It was hysterical.

I suppose at the right location, you could watch traffic here, but I had better things to do.

We exited the highway at Ramat Gan (Financial/Business Center,love those), saw the beautiful Sheraton that everyone said no to, and headed into Tel Aviv.

One of my favorite movies is 'Clean Sweep', an Israeli film. When I went to the Israeli Film Festival I was in line with everyone else to see the movie 'Time of Favor' ( a classic), it sold out, I was ticked, had to go see the remaining(leftover) movie called Clean Sweep. It is a police/detective type that takes place in and around Tel Aviv. I loved it.
It became one of my favorites. They have good shots ot T/A. Toward the end they do a wonderful motorcycle chase through the streets. I enjoyed that. Now I was where that chase was taking place. Oh that was a good movie. FYI, I have it on DVD, with English subtitles. I will sometimes do the Hebrew subtitles as I know the plot inside and out
and can actually learn a few words by watching the Hebrew letters., but mostly do it in English. Love the theme song.
KADOSH! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I would love to get that theme song on cd if anyone knows where and how, etc? toda

So we did the drive through the city routine. It is older, more run down than I had thought. Every city has its good and bad areas, I guess I was expecting more of a Zion, if you will. All of a sudden we emerge from the mass of low apartment buildings and come out to Ha'Yarkon st. This is the Tel Aviv Promenade where most of the T/A's hotels lie, and on the beach. You take the highway up, Hilton is on the right, the others on the left, and go into a small, congested street where you literally drive through the front area of the: Sheraton Moriah, Crowne Plaza, and then my new home, for the night, the Rennaissance. I can't follow their Hebrew spelling, it doesn't seem to match!? xoxo
Oh well.

I had done alot of homework on the hotels. Went to the Marriott and Sheraton websites, where I have elite status, (Hilton is too expensive), reserved, canceled, reserved. Make up your mind! LOL After I had canceled the night in Jerusalem I finally settled on the Rennaissance here.

I had e-mailed them asking for an early check in, upgrade, etc. We actually e-mailed a few times and they were nice.

The taxi fare came to 80 shekels, which I had been told to expect. About $20 US, divide by 4 something, being bad in math, I divide by 4. I then gave him the 100 NIS note (New Israeli Sheckel), he said no, I said YES. Take it. The fare is very generous. As you will see later I paid 9 pounds, plus a pound tip, to go from one hotel at Heathrow to another, there is an 8 pound minimun. That is about $20 US, almost. We drove half way across Israel. I can live with their prices. England(the Motherland, if you will) would bankrupt me in a week. I also wanted to give a good tip to my fellow Jew. Toda rabah. I take care of my own. I give very generous tips in France,among other places. One tip to the porter at the Orly Hilton just pissed my dad off saying way too much. So sue me, smile.

He helped me with my bags and the porter showed up out of nowhere. I think he was escaping the cold in one of the cars. It was freezing. There was a fierce wind off the Mediterranean and it was just not what I had expected.

I finally am at a point where I can porter my own bags but said hey, let's live it up, and gave him the bag. I want to be pampered here. No security check. Their security is very inconsistent and that bothers me dearly.

Thanking the driver we went inside. There were cars everywhere, what a mess. Also a security risk, fyi.If I I saw this in Jerusalem I would be nervous.

Finally in front of the reception desk were 2 plastic/paper Israeli flags stood. I kissed my hand and put it on the flag, long overdue in finally kissing an Israeli flag. The staff behind the desk were impressed. Gee, first time to Israel? LOL
They knew that from the e-mails.

A lovely Turkish immigrant checked me in. Countering my Israel/USA lapel pin, which I wore everywhere, she had a Turkish flag, Israel flag lapel pin, we laughed.

I had some Marriott certificates that I wanted to use, she said go up and get some sleep and talk to the manager later, fair enough. Can I get upgraded? Well, you have to pay more, which they told me in an e-mail. Most Marriott/Rennaissance hotels upgrade me based on my Silver card, not here.

Ah, I thought go to the room and talk to the manager later when I have my witts(Brian, no comment!) LOL.
It is the lounge access that I want. We wished each other our respective pleasantries. Very friendly staff, just slow to upgrade. Oh well. I didn't want to give in and pay more. Hard when you get it just about everywhere else. The Marriott at Vancouver Airport fought me on it and we did battle, then the last time I went with a girl from Spokane, they upgraded us. Ok..................

You could see through the big windows the fierce waves right in front of us, it was a beautiful sight.

The lifts have the English chimes that I like and up we went to the 7th floor. ding ding

There was the coveted exit sign in Hebrew I was looking for. I like the different exit signs from around the world. For some reason the French 'sortie' in Quebec, vs. France, just annoys me, that is another story. In France they use the int'l sign. In Quebec, where the English exit used to be exit/sortie the French language zealots got rid of all the exit signs, even in hotels, hence, my annoyance. Maintenant, c'est tous SORTIE. It bugs the heck out of me. Same with Keluar in Malaysia. Another story and for later, thanks.

I can't read the Hebrew word for exit, for the Hebrew alphabet that I know, it just doesn't make sense. I would love to see the word written out in English letters, if possible, as they don't have it in the Fridany night prayer book. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
How I learned alot of my Ivrit.

My first mezuzot (not my last!) is on the doorpost to the room, this is cool. You know that you are in Israel from that.
The hallway is average, could be bigger. All of these hotels are in great need for a makeover.

I tip him as well, but give him US $$$ which I bring along for tipping. Helps in England, I can assure you!

The room is decent size. Large queen( I think) bed but very low to the floor. My bed at home is tall. Maybe that's it.
I drop everything off and as Brian knows the first thing I do is turn on the tv. Finally, Israeli tv! way too long overdue.
Israel One- Echad, Two-Stein, 3, I think 4, I love 10, CNN, BBC Prime,( I need BBC World), Russian, Turkish, was very surprised nothing in Arabic. My biggest TV fest was in Cairo with several channels of tv stations from around the Middle East. It was hard to leave the room and my friends got after me for that. "We didn't come to Egypt to watch tv." wahhhhhhhhh LOL

Lot's of programming in English and tons of South American soaps subtitled in Hebrew. Why the Israelis are so muli-lingual. Same with the Dutch, the Scandinavians, etc. Whereas my dear, beloved French and Germans use annoying
voiceovers which is FAKE. You gotta see Cosby in Germany with that fake overtone auf Deutsch. Disgusting.
I prefer subttles, then you hear the natural sounds. You also learn the language faster. We watched 'Yes Prime Minister' in Denmark with Danish subtitles. I probably learned a handful of Danish words from that one show.

I go out on the balcony and enjoy my view. Fierce winds are blowing from the West from where I have come
and it is cold! There is one lonely ship rocking back and forth in the sea with surfers and some boaters, they are crazy! Straight across from me is the Crowne Plaza Hotel. They can see me, I can see them, no privacy here at all. They needed to give more space between the hotels for sure.

To my right is Tel Aviv, the great city. Masses of low rise apartments/flats, the Sheraton Ramat Gan( I think she is haunting me LOL), the World Trade Center, I love that kind of architecture, and masses of other buildings.

Arkia and Israir(Israel's 2 domestic carriers and some charters) buzz in and out of smaller Sve Dov Airport. I think I have heard 3 names for this airport. Lot's of smaller planes buzz in and the view is just awesome. An Israeli Air Force C-130 (military plane) passed by, so cool. I can finally stay in the city and watch planes at the same time.
L'chaim! To life!

I kick off my shoes and do some unpacking, thinking I would be there for 3 nights. (NOT!) I turn on the heat, the tv is going, and set up a bar/buffet on the long table. All my coveted Dasani water from home( I am not kidding, touch it and you get it!), the Swiss, Belgian, and English chocolates, and other nicknacks borrowed from the British Airways lounge back in the Motherland.

TEL AVIV DAY 1

After a quick lie down and my first intro to Israeli TV, I decided to go get my first
Israeli meal. The Israeli breakfast buffet was included the other days, but I had to pay for this one.

It was held at the Africa restaurant. An interesting name, but actually, you are a couple of hours drive or a 45 minute flight to Africa (Egypt).

Gave my room # and pre-paid $20US, which I liked, then walked into a comfortable restaurant filled with delicious food.

The front table had more bread than I have ever seen in my life. Every kind of bread was available, save challah, which would have been nice. I piled bread on my plate.

They had cream cheese, but not the delicious Jerry's Deli (LA) that I am used to. Well, it was icky, sorry.
Israel needs to learn what cream cheese is, smile.

They had delicious Kugel(thanks Aunt Judy, who intro'd me to it and I love it), cheeses, meats, an interesting pasta, kind of dry(for breakfast!?), the traditional Israeli salad bar(which I am not into, sorry), every kind of fish, oh, they had everything. Shock of all shocks I piled a couple of plates and took a table by the window. The waves were ferocious and I loved it. The waitress came over and did that Kafe? thing, lo bevakasha, and it was soon apparent that her English was non-existant. Surprising in Israel. She must be from someplace else. I wanted to ask for a hot chocolate, but that just wasn't going to happen. I think I tried it even in French, no go. oh well

They had orange juice and I braved it with the water. Surprise. The water in nearby Egypt is disgusting, but actually is quite good in Israel, showing it is more of a Euro country. I had heard that it is safe to drink, but was actually good.

I did a couple of trips to the buffet and then prepared for my escape with some 'leftovers.' The other guests were European tourists yacking away in different languages. My lapel pin had a couple of stares. Gives away that I am an American in a shot.

I took my wrapped up napkins filled with goodies and he is like, nah, but I explained I am jetlagged, tired, want to take back to the room, an exception please. He agreed. Toda.

Back to the room and some shuteye. The winds howled through the room.

Well, ouch. They had a suicide bombing in Jerusalem. I heard everything in English via CNN and then all of the
Israeli stations had it. It was terrible. A Jerusalem City Councilor saw the whole thing and held a dying man in his arms. This was bad. The blast on one of the city's buses was so powerful, it shook a nearby hotel where they were having a Prime Minister's conference. It was quite depressing and I did cry. Going from CNN to the Israeli stations
and keeping up. I was glad that I had canceled my first night in Jerusalem and made it Tel Aviv.
Unfortunately, it had put Jerusalem into great doubt, sorry to say. Then some long needed rest.
___

Woke up late afternoon to more winds and more cold. Took another view from the balcony and took several pictures. Caught more tv and then decided to go for a walk. Also took care of business downstairs.

No on the upgrade without paying more. No on the Marriott certificates. Pretty much no on everything.
Yeah, we're out of here. I was scheduled to be there for 3 nights, but I never mind changing hotels.

They were polite but firm. One of the guys actually reminded me of a former French professor of mine in college. The resemblance was too much. Did a walk around the lobby, enjoyed the view through the windows, and looked at their pastry cart, ahhhhhhhhh.

Outside to the cramped front conditions. Cars everywhere and everything is just cramped. We need to redesign.
You can use me for advice. smile

Walked to the right, heading South toward Jaffa, and hit the real Sheraton. I have seen many pics of it, it has starred in movies, and probably one of the more famous hotels in Tel Aviv.

This is the only time I had received a proper security check. Maybe have not even needed it. I went through the revolving doors and put my arms out for the wanding. Explained I wanted to talk to the front desk clerk, and I was cleared. I have never in my life seen such inconsistency on the security. Didn't make me feel any better, to be honest.

Go to the front desk and ask the guy for the best rate and is an upgrade to the Club floor doable? $165 US and no, no club floor for you. We're done. Shook hands and left.

Did a quick walk around the hotel, not that I love doing that or anything, LOL. You can call me the Columbus of hotel explorations. Decent seating area, pastries, and a bunch of over suited Israeli businessmen yacking in Ivrit. Boring stuffed shirts. LOL

To the gift shop and wow, lot's of goodies. Some shampoo thingy in my toiletry bag leaked all over everything, hence, bye bye tooth brush. Took me forever to clean that stuff out, ugh. Have better things to do.

Hence, a new toothbrush, Colgate in English, but had a sticker in Hebrew on the back which made it more exciting.
Bought a Tel Aviv shirt and a tourbook. She was very pleasant and very kind. I loved it and told her I would be back. Actually never made it back but it was the best hotel giftshop I had seen.

Now back to the other hotels. There is the other Sheraton, a Sheraton Moriah, on the other side of the Crowne Plaza. I think I had actually booked it and then canceled in the book and cancel game.

Security was nothing, explained what I wanted to do. Checking you out.

Smaller hotel than the other Sheraton, that narrow batiment(building) of the other 2 twins.

Talked to the front desk and a cute Sabra(she is half English, like me) answered my questions. I will give you
$160 US,with lounge access and upgrade. Let me think about it.

I left the hotel, thought about it, came back, and took it. She had written down the offer for me before and now I just said, take it and book it. Sheraton Gold # given and all.

Yes, I liked her and she was cool. We shook hands and til tomorrow. Can't wait. Went to the end of the lobby where they also had the big windows facing the Mediterranean, a bit calmer now than before.

I look out the windows and an ELAL 747-400 flew in over the coast, I am sure the late night from Kennedy. It was an awesome sight, no time to get outside. I stood there with my mouth wide open in awe. I had an Israeli guy sitting behind me stare at me like I was nuts. I am nuts. I like airplanes. They are cool. I watch them, too.

Out to the Promenade. A bit dirtier than I had expected. Older, too. I have seen them promo this place from time to time and it looked better then. A good makeover will do it.

I checked out the little shops, stands, went down to the beach. As I was walking right past a little cafe the guy comes out and says in decent English, come in, come in. Please, sit down, have dinner.

I look at the menu, looks alright. My first Israeli meal, outside of the hotel, no suicide bombers running around. In Jerusalem I would be more concerned, but this isTel Aviv, I am probably ok, I pray.

He gives me a taste of the lamb, it is wonderful. Ok, bring me the lamb. He tries to get me to indulge in the salad bar which I am just not into. Hey, it ain't Sizzler. smile

The reward for coming in was a beautiful, and I mean beautiful! 20 year old American girl sitting there. I guess she is the waitress in this dead empty restaurant. We talk the whole time and I am loving it.

She is from New York and came here on a Jewish birthright(free trip) to Israel. Fell in love with it and never looked back. Went back to NY for a visit but otherwise she lives here. I can understand. It is very special.

She is 20 and has a boyfriend, so that was that, but I did enjoy talking to her.

The Lamb meal was Heavenly. It was the tastiest, most delicous lamb I have ever had in my life and they could see I liked it. I liked it so much I ordered another to take to the hotel for the 3am wake up and jetlag combatting snack.

They gave me a free dessert, some little chocolate pastries, ice cold, and I wished them my best. I was getting tired, also wanted to move on. It was like a 20 minute goodbye.

Getting dark, was dark, grabbed my packages and back to the Rennaissance.

I get a call from Ophir who left a message. Welcome to Israel, do you want to get together? I am tired but yes, this could be fun.

So he picks me up and gives me the tour of Tel Aviv. Thank you so much! It was so appreciated.

He took me out to Jaffa(Yafo-Hebrew name), which is the old city. Very Muslim with a Mosque and more Arab architecture. It is wonderful. We hike up a trail to a good lookout point(fyi, would make for a great make out point if you have that someone special with you).

You have the most incredible view of Tel Aviv, the Promenade, the hotels, everything.

I didn't want to leave the site but it was time to move on.

Ophir game me an excellent tour de la ville. Just know that I loved it. We saw everything. Something I have always
dreamed of. As I was falling asleep, sorry, he took me back to the hotel and we would see each other on Tuesday for the big lunch.

I went out on the balcony and enjoyed my priceless view of the city before heading to bed. The city is all lit up and it is incredible.........................I also did that 3 am wake up thing, spent some time on the balcony, ate my lamb http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and saw a plane come in from over the Mediterranean, cool.

__________________________________________________ ____________________

I have bought a whole bunch of DVDs from WorldAirlineRoutes.com and watching the new Swiss A340 video.
Incredible!

Tel Aviv Day 2 Monday

I woke up to a beautiful Monday morning. More planes into Sve Dov, gorgeous day, less windy than yesterday but still a bit cold. Watched the Israeli tv plus the cable. Stared into the Crowne Plaza hotel right across from me, kind of weird. I love channel 10. They have some good looking young ones but one woman, wowwwwwwwwwza! She is hot!
Israeli women are babes. I watched the station to keep an eye on her.

Iraq, Iraq, Iraq. Oy. LOL

More follow up on yesterday's suicide bombing. The freaky part is that I could have been in a taxi next to the freaking bus. Something that has come to mind more than a few times.
Again, I felt more comfortable at home after I had moved the hotel from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.

Down to the free breakfast at the Africa restaurant with those fancy chimes at the lift. Looked out the window at the end of the hallway to see the beautiful ocean and Jaffa to my left.

Is the breakfast free? It depends on how you play with it. The rate was $120 US so I deduct the breakfast and call the room a $100 US. I think more hotels need to give breakfast. Ironically, I never have breakfast at home, almost always only when I travel.

They checked my room # off at the desk and in I went in to the Africa Restaurant. Today was more crowded but I had a table near the window.
More bread, sadly no kugel http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif, but they had quiche and some other goodies as well. Good eggs, some meats, and the orange juice isn't bad.

The cute waitress from yesterday who didn't speak English turned into a grumpy (religous, kippot and all) older man who atleast did speak English, so I received my hot chocolate, which wasn't bad. I watched the surfers, swimmers, joggers, hikers, and all. I can relate well. This is me back at home being on the beach almost everyday. Good for them! I took a break. Again, tourists speaking more funny languages, German was one of them, that I could tell.

I was able to sneak a roll out but wouldn't push it like yesterday.

Toda rabah and off I go. Went down to the gym and pool. The gym was average, nothing like the Spectrum Club back at home, but good for a hotel. I asked the older guy who spoke English for the direction to the pool and he pointed below. It was a decent pool and I planned to come back, but never did. Oh well. I can swim at the Moriah. (NOT!)
Oh well.

Went for a small walk. They closed off the beach access from the hotel from the lower level. They said bums would come in, but I am sure security played a part. They would have to have a gatekeeper man it.

So to the lobby and outside. It was much warmer than yesterday but still kind of cold. Again, inconsistenices in the security check when you re-enter the hotel. Oy!

Back to the room and traded a much needed swim(playful mikve/cleansing, what I do at the pool at the gym)
for some sleep which was needed after the 3 am wake up. A product of jetlag, no doubt.

Before checking out there was a lovely maid and if you know me, I love maids carts. I loved the laundry bags, mostly cause they were in Hebrew. So I asked for a few and a few other goodies. I actually took a few things, err borrowed http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, cause they were in Hebrew. The only country in the world where you will find hotel goodies in one of the special languages of the Bible, so enjoy it. I enjoyed one last view, not sure what I would get shortly. A few clicks with the camera as well.

I had to pack everything up thinking I would be there for 3 days. Atleast I don't have to worry about airlines weighing my suitcase today, whewwww. It is already getting heavy.

I chatted with Vera, a Lithuanian(Litvik) from Vilnius. My grandfather came from Latvia so we come from a special heritage. She gave me whatever I had asked for and with a kind, warm smile. We started talking. You are American?
What do you think of Isarel? I love it! I can't get enough of it.
She did some griping at the Israelis in that because her Hebrew is not as good as it could be, a complaint by many Russian immigrants, according to the book on Israelis that I am reading, they are held back and not able to progress as far as they once did in the their home countries. She is well educated and her English is great. She had a good life back in Lithuania. She came to Israel because she is a Jew and could worship freely here.
This well educated, I think teacher!?, is now cleaning hotel rooms for no money. She complained how expensive Israel is(honey, spend a day in London, this ain't nothing... ) and I sympathized. I also gave her a fair tip which she appreciated. I don't normally tip maids, but this one is special. Brian does, but then I tip pretty decently to the porters, so it works out.

I took my leave and wished her my best, even said a prayer for her. She taught me alot in that little conversation.

With that, chime on the lift, and down to reception. Check out. We shook hands and I thanked them for everything.
You are checking out early? Yes, wanted to move to a different location. ( ah, I got a better deal! suckers! LOL )

I still wished them my best. I did a quick trip to the gift shop, a pain pulling my suitcase. European hotels are awful, if almost non-existant with in house gift shops, and interesting the Israeli hotels have excellent, well stocked gift shops.

As I left they offered to call me a cab, I laughed, said no thank you, dragged my bag and carry on over my shoulder 2 doors down to the Moriah. Ma nouvelle residence en Israel.

Tel Aviv Day 2 Monday part 2

Wheeled the bag down that narrow street to my new home, the Sheraton Moriah.

The outside looks the same as the others.

Mr. security dude wanted to see my passport, the one time that I would have it on me, not gonna happen. You can see my drivers' license. I would prefer your passport, yes, but the D/L is easier. He accepted it, thank ya.

Go to front desk and there is the cute Miss. Lawrence. "Oh no, you are checking in on the 17th floor at the lounge." http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Can you say yeah?! I love it! Now this is how I want to be pampered in the land of the Bible.

More chimes and take the lift to the 17th floor. The hotel is old, it shows, but I like it.
Needs a major touch of fresh paint and some fixing up. Probably hard now with the low tourist trade.

Enter the lounge and go to the main desk. Ah, chocolate pecan pie. They had a selection of pies, other goodies, and some Israeli nicknacks, like a tiny bagel shaped sesame something. I had a FEW of those. Cut myself some chocolate pecan pie while she checks me in. A Sprite to go with it. Check out the view.

Oh, by the way, I checked out the lounge at the Renn., not a big deal and def. not worth paying more. Heaven was smiling on me. I was glad that the Renn. was cheap, they did me a big favor, and the Moriah is where I belong.

We have a room for you on the 16th floor. Finish my pie and grab a water. Down one.

The room is ok, equiped with a handicap toilet. I turn on the tv and Israel 1(Echad) is not working and that won't do, call for a tv guy to fix it.

The view, quite frankly, sucks. Decent ocean view, I can see Jaffa(facing South), sorry I didn't take any pics of it, but I had a big wall to my left, no view of Tel Aviv. I normally would have taken it but something said, go for better. I called the front desk and they actually directed me to the lounge, I like this. Come on up and we will take a look. The guy did come and fixed Israel 1. I figure a good 'mitzvah'(good deed) for the next (poor schlub http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) who does stay there.

Up to 17. Ah, more goodies. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif We have a room on the 18th floor, let's go take a look.

She immediately gave away that she was a religous, traditional Jew as she waited outside in the hallway while I looked. I was impressed. For some reason the mezuzot on the outdoor post stood out as well. Kiss. I will take it. The view was Heavenly. The corner room, one over, would have been Paradise. Looked straight at the Hilton, which is further down the Promenade. Never got over there, surprise surprise. To my left, the ocean, straight down, the Promenade area,
to my right, an even better view of Tel Aviv with my Sheraton Ramat Gan and the WTC way over. If I bent out over the balcony I could see the TV tower. One of my passions are towers, I like this one.

Back to the lounge, new key, change rooms, got my bags, and yes, naughty me, swiped something from the old room. Love them souvenirs.

My new room was a dream. The view is probably one of the best views you can have of Tel Aviv. Now, with no Crowne Plaza in my face, I could see so much more of the Northern suburbs, plus I suppose, Herzlia. The room is big, very high ceilings, old, but very comfortable, and with a big King sized bed(fit for a KING, he he he). I tried that unpacking thing again, now 2 nights.

Pulled out a splendid glass table and set up the buffet. My chocolates, waters, other drinks, other goodies, my camera and film, with my camera ready to go at a moment's notice. I did stash some things in the well designed minibar.

Now I have an even better view of the planes coming in. Arkia and Israir ATRs galore.
Almost got sick of the (bloody) things whereas I had never seen one in person til yesterday.
La vie, c'est etrange, n'est-ce pas?

Yes, mom I took so many pics, you will never know, LOL. I have a bad habbit of taking a 1000 pics of the same thing.
Melbourne Airport Hilton I was very guilty of that, photographing every plane a 100 times.

I called the infamous Israeli flyertalkers and told them my new residence with #.
Both have lives so the voicemail took care of everything.

Now the dilemma. One of the pitfalls of a nice, fancy room: I want to stay! I am tired, this place is comfy, but I should go to Jerusalem. The suicide bombing yesterday really threw me off. Yes, I wanted to go to the great city, where the Saviour rode in on a donkey, but a bomb went off yesterday.

I did some thinking, reflecting. I decided to stay. I still have part of Tuesday, I have a good part of early Wednesday, so there are options.

I love this place and I want to stay, so I stayed.

Picked up on some rest and then to the lounge. Lot's and lot's of food. I had some more, will never say how much, of the chocolate pecan pie. In fact I probably had most of it, shhhhhh.

Then behold, they had a computer thingy with internet access. Oh life is good. You have to pay for it but at whatever NIS and $4 US per hour, I am there.

I was able to add to my prepatory 'notes' on flyertalk and play on my singles sites and update my yahoo lists, but no AOL access. (scheiss) I kind of needed that. So I took an hour and then someone else wanted to play. More food and drink and then it is time to go for a walk.

I walked the Promenade down below. I don't know what you call it, they were playing a kind of tennis, smaller racquets but not racquetball, watch out! The sun was slowly going down and you could see more planes going into Ben Gurion. Much warmer now and nice seabreeze. Hey, it reminds me of Malibu.

Past the 3 hotels and up near the real Sheraton. Past little cafes, bars, many of them empty, sadly, and over to across from the Dan Hotel. That is one of Tel Aviv's finest hotels.
I wanted to go up and play, but enjoyed the view outside, maybe later.
Maybe Dov would take me for a visit, NOT! LOL

I went as far as I could and then as it was getting dark, headed back. I could have taken a taxi, no buses, please, but knew I needed the walk. Let's be honest, after all that chocolate, yeah, walk.

They have a string of Embasies across the street on Ha'Yarkon. I like Embassies. Stood in front of the French Embassy claiming temporary standing in France which was cool.
They even had a French gendarme inside. In a few days I will be in the real thing.

They actually have Embassies for several countries: India, Russia, and some of the former Soviet Republics, but the French one is the only one I paid hommage to. Vivre la France! No Embassy for Syria?? hmmmm LOL Maybe someday.

Back to the other Sheraton and up to the lounge, which was now packed and had tons of food and many conversations in Hebrew, English, and what else.

I could have made dinner with what they had. They had a wonderful chicken salad, chopped egg(does this sound Jewish? LOL), rolls, the traditional Israeli salad bar, the drinks, and some desserts. I enjoyed, then enjoyed the view of Tel Aviv at night and watched some CNN. For those who drank they had 2 kinds of wines. Not a bad deal at all.

Then I did the naughty thing and went down to the hotel restaurant buffet. Yummmm
$25 US, again, in a fixed US $ price. More food than you could ever know what to do with.
And you wondered if Jewish people like to eat!? LOL Oh my.

Salmon, pasta, rice(very Middle Eastern kind of rice, yummm), veggies, some oversoaked kind of beef, hey, I tired about everything, save the salad bar. I love salads at home, don't get me wrong. Ordered an Orange Fanta and could hear German from a LARGE amount of German tourists behind me who I am sure were drunk. They were happy.
German in Israel!? Ok... Hey, all my Jewish ancestors in Europe spoke German/Yiddish. So there ya go.

I was getting tired and jetlag was settling in. They had a delicious looking chocolate cake, not round, and I asked for the privilege of taking some to my room explaining jetlag and they agreed. I am glad that I left when I did.

When I got back to the room there was a knock on the door. A bottle of mineral water and a small tin of cookies with a cute picture and name of the hotel on it. Actually, for some reason, never drank the water and the cookies were ok, but I love the tin and it now resides in Malibu. (in fact it is now 2 feet from me)

Had a message from Dov and we talked for a bit. That was a very expensive phone call, fyi, just to let ya know. I figured it was an Israeli cell. I should have been able to call South Africa for that price. We set things up for the first Flyertalk lunch in Israel and agreed on a meeting time. I also liked that he agreed to come to the hotel vs. meeting down the street.
Saved me time as Mr. Early bird arrived too early in the am for me. He also gave me advice on picking up on women. He actually gave me some good advice which I have to credit him here. I came to Israel to check out Israeli women. But he said you want to get women who are away from their home turf and so now it would be harder to chase Israeli women in their own home. True and I have dated Israelis at home in LA, maybe now I will do better that I have actually come here. So where are the French women? Yes, Dov is a stud, I will concede that, otherwise, I would have ignored his advice. :P

I enjoyed some late night tv and that wonderful view from the balcony. I don't think I have ever had such a more beauitful city view in my life, not comparing to Maui in any way, but I would compare to the Marriott in Montreal, one of my favorite views, facing North, from a high floor, but this has a balcony.

By the way, no pool, it is closed for renovation, so there went my 'mikve' in Israel. Oh well.

Lights out(exhausted) for a bit then did the 3 am wake up call and I was wide awake. So we pulled out the buffet. The chocolate cake from the restaurant, some Dasani, some Sprite from the lounge, some Swiss chocolates(I have the same kind next to me now!), and more views from the balcony. And some early morning planes coming in.
I also said a prayer for Israel. It was too perfect, too calm, too peaceful not to. God bless this sacred land eternal.
Shma Y'israel!

I called mom to say hello, got the machine, sometime in the evening, and said don't worry, all is well, and gave her a message of comfort that I would probably be skipping Jerusalem so that was a peace offering.

Then I decided to call Brian and yank his chain. I started to leave a message and his mom picked up, explaining he was in the hospital and that she was on her way down. Oy vay! You go away and look at what happens.

I forgot the pin on my AT &T calling card and they weren't going to help. I haven't used it for so long, being cheap and not having phoned home for a while from abroad. So back to AT & T and had to use my credit card.

I called the kid at his hospital bed and sure enough it was true. You have to wait till I leave to get sick, what am I going to do with you? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

He was better and we yacked and I didn't care what it was costing. I still have yet to see the bill, cringe. It was special to call him from Israel, a place he would not come to and sent me off alone(guilt trip here, mate).

Now he is well. That phone call, fyi, was very special.

September 11th in New Zealand and now this!

With that fun back to bed

Tel Aviv/Herzlia Day 3 Tuesday part 1

Shalom all.

Even with the early jetlag rise, and after going back to bed, I woke up at sunrise. It was beautiful. I took a series of pics across the city, literally in a lateral, horizontal fashion across Tel Aviv at sunrise.

Now there is a new ship out in the water. An ELAL 747-400 came from the East, assuming Bangkok? buzzed around T/A, to the ocean, then out over the ocean turned around and into Ben Gurion. I would love to know the routing and where in the East did it come from?
I know it didn't fly over downtown Jeddah, that is for dang sure.

I actually did catch some more shuteye, then morning tv, buffet http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and shower.

Meeting Dov at 1030 am in the lounge. Saved me lot's of time. I am supposed to meet an American/Israeli guy with an Australian cowboy hat on. Ok.............

Got up to the lounge with a shopping bag:camera, film, and some airline goodies for them flyertalker people. Was able to grab some food but no computer, it was spoken for, oh well, the lovely ladies at home had to wait. LOL

I was watching a mix of Israel 2, Steiiiin, and CNN. Orange juice and morning goodies were great. This is a busy lounge. I happened to be standing up and this guy walks in with a cowboy hat. I look at him, wave him over, Dov??? nice to meet you. He looks familiar and can't put the face. Ahhhhh, when I lived in Ohio I became very close to a guy named Art, both are lot's of fun and they look alike.

He sat down with me and we shmoozed. Not what I expected, to be honest, we saw no pics, but he was even more fun in person. I like him. He kept making me laugh and that will get ya points. He needed a smoke so we took in the sights of sprawling T/A from the outdoor balcony. He told me some very interesting stories, I will let him chime in here if he wants!? to share and then I will add those comments to my e-mail list, if he wants. Up to you, bro.

With that and my heavy leather jacket, finally didn't need it, we set off for a long walk.

I took pics of everything. Earlier on my walks I was afraid to cross the busy street, terrorfied, to be honest. These are Israeli drivers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. He said the rule is you walk out into the street and they stop. I let him be the guinea pig. They actually stopped. I was shocked. During my walks, well, I was afraid. But I guess they actually do stop.

There were kitty cats everywhere and as you may know, I love cats. Hmmm an Israeli cat!? US customs would love that one.

We hiked over to one of the major boulevards, I snapped pics, and loved it. I did see a major supermarket that I wanted to go in but never made it. That I regret.

I had left my watch at home, seldom wear one, use my cell here to see the time.
The dear Sheraton Moriah did not believe in clocks in the room, the Renn. did, that drove me crazy and I had to call down to reception to check on the time. They were fine with it.

So we walked into a small shop and I bought a small, travel sized clock, can always use, eh? I didn't like the watches I saw at Heathrow or anywhere else, including here. I am very picky when it comes to watches. I have a beloved Qantas watch which their Duty Free has now discontinued selling, so now I am reluctant to wear it as I wouldn't want anything to happen to it. I know, buy a cheapie, I will, give me time, ha ha ha. Too funny!

We walked through the shops and enjoyed the scenery. It was wonderful.

We passed an ELAL office. Yeah, we're going in. They had a small security check but then inside it was great. Masses of ELAL timetables AND ticket jackets. No inflight magazines, darn. Yeah, I took a few, as many as my bag would handle! As many of you will now see circulating in your goody bags and Karl you will have a package shortly, when I get around to it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Then Dov had to stop at the Delta ticket office. He spoke Hebrew and was duly chastized, in fun, as it is a US airline but they are Israeli, so I was just playing. They did have some interesting brochures, but didn't want to drag them, the ELAL goodies too rare.

He then saw my suffering with my coat and all and offered to drop things in the car. Bless you, my son. That was very nice.

It was freezing the first day, warmed up the next day, now it is beautiful and don't need a coat, go figure. The LY goodies needed a rest as well. We were near the Dan Hotel but didn't go inside.

Back up into the city we hit an AM PM, says that on the receipt. They had the cutest girl there and I asked her if she spoke English!? she chastized me, of course I speak English!
Ok..... I had that in Sweden when I first landed, actually I love it. Wish more people in the world could say that.

They had the usual rounds of Israeli chocolate, most of which I could get at home at the Israeli market here, in fact stopped by 2 nights ago as I was homesick, and bought a (few) chocolates as well.

Finally, the find of all finds, a Perrier bottle, not just cause it is beloved, sweet, tasty, wonderful, delicious Perrier, but now a Perrier bottle in Hebrew with English, duly added to my collection of bottles and cans from around the world. Toda

We ended up at the outdoor bazaar and Dov said he needed to tell me something right before we went in but would wait. Okkkkkkk Yeah, I knew what he was going to tell me. And if this were Jerusalem, I never would have gone.

Outdoor shops, goodies, loud music, some really good Israeli techno type, I wanted that song. I have tons of Israeli cd's, fyi. Lo and behold, kippot/yarmulke, the skulcap. What you wear Friday nights. I know/thought I took mine out at home and hence, it is still at home. I wanted to buy a new one anyway, and so for 5 shekels, it was mine.

Dov told me something that I won't repeat here, only that T/A is secular and might not be a good idea. I understand.
It stayed in my pocket but I did want to wear it. Oh well.

They did have watches but I didn't like them, sorry. Would have loved to have bought a watch in Israel. I am picky.

More goodies, more pics. I wore my lapel pin. They were playing an American song and some women were singing to the song in English, I was impressed.

-Reminds me when we were stuck in a traffic jam leaving Italian Switzerland/Locarno for Interlaken. Everyone inched along the highway nearing the famous tunnel. A carload of Dutch youth saw we were Yanks, yeah, we stand out, LOL, so they started singing a song in English just for us, we laughed and waved. This reminded me of it. I loved that.-

They were good, too.

More pics, more touring. They also had the Christian souvenirs and Dov told me another cool story, but will let him tell if he wants. I didn't see any Christian souvenirs that I specifically wanted. If I had gone to Bethlehem, too dangerous, fyi, that would have been different.

He then tells me as we leave that the place we just left is one of the biggest targets for suicide bombings in Israel. I think he said # 2. I knew it, I cringed, I ignored it, I moved on.

In Jerusalem I would NOT have gone there, I can assure you. I guess you are playing a game with the odds in Israel, like in the old Northern Ireland, like in Colombia now. ouch But you have to live your life. If it be God's will...

More walking, more touring, getting late.

It is getting time for the first Flyertalk lunch in Israel, which I had been looking forward to.

Back to the car and out of Tel Aviv. We drove past the US Embassy, which I had seen on the news at home &. I waved.

This drive was actually a good tour of Tel Aviv itself. Out to the Northern suburbs and into
Herzlia. An Orange County/Silicon Valley suburbia of glass office buildings, nice homes and flats, and even a Coffee Bean, but no Starbucks, oh well.

Tel Aviv/Herzlia Day 3 Tuesday part 2

Apparently there has never been a Flyertalk meeting/lunch in Israel until now.

For the uninformed 'Flyertalk' is like AA http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif where a bunch of crazy, over addicted airline frequent flier mileage and other travel related junkies get together and share war stories.
If you want to check it out, flyertalk.com, check out the Trip Reports. I am fascinated with this and have barely looked at anything else since getting serious with this section.
This report, fyi, is being posted there so you can always look at it there should your dear cat ever delete my work.
he he

Anyway, I did a post on this same Flyertalk for any Israeli flyertalkers if they wanted to meet for a meal. We had 3 takers, sadly, I think we could have had more? DannyZ, LatusELAL? where are you? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif We missed you.

Next time, I am sure, and I will be back. I am in love with Israel, so how could I not?

Hence, Dov arranged a meeting and contacted Ophir and Nur(spelling?).

Dov had driven me around Tel Aviv and now we came to the lunch. A yuppy type outdoor cafe and I felt very safe there, for some reason. I still have the business card and will put it up on my wall, when I unpack it in 2007.

I had met Ophir Sunday night who had driven me around. Then I met Nur, who actually reminded me of someone slightly, again from Ohio.

We all met and sat down. Dov had some crazy American hotsauce called Cholupa or something like that. He whipped them out http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif he he he for the other guys but explained I could get my own, this is true, not that I am into hot sauce. I love Thai food, go figure.

The menu looked yummy and yes, was in English for me. I am impressed that 2 and a half, smile, Israelis went into English for me, that is a great gesture. Can you picture several Americans going into another language for one person? Spanish I could see, maybe. (Dov comes from the US originally)

One of my joys of all joys is to talk travel, flying, miles, war stories(from travel), airports, customs, lounges, what may 'fall' into the bag, the list goes on . And if you don't know that by now, then you don't know me very well. Of course you could be new. I have to wonder what my new friend in Australia, a lass in Brisbane, no names here, LOL, is thinking as she reads all this. (that I am nuts, well, true)... but shhhhhhhhh We're all nuts in some odd way.
I guess more so if you stand there and watch airplanes fly overhead.
Even more so if you have a heart attack cause you didn't get upgraded to Business/First class or you were denied coveted airline or hotel lounge access. Gee, me?? please...

So we talked travel, and aviation, and airlines, and flying, and miles, and you name it, we talked about it, we yacked, we loved it, we had a good time. It was a delicous meal.
I kept ordering sodas. Waitress spoke decent English but I had 3 translators at my disposal, was awesome.

By the way, ladies, especially my Jewish femmes on my list, they are good looking guys and I believe all are available. Just a thought... Schlepping to Israel required.

Nur flies Delta, so does Dov, Ophir flies Continental, I fly American/Oneworld. So if we had Star Alliance covered, we would have been good.

The one area where they got me was talking about excess luggage. My bags are always over but I somehow get out of being charged. Frankfurt was sweatingly too close.
They said how often they are charged for the overweight bag if flying just from Israel to Europe, whereas to the United States you get a higher allowance. Thank goodness or I would be dead! Remember, I am a pack rat. I am just flying to London tomorrow, uh oh.

I loved the meal, I loved the chat. It was fun and I want to do another one, cholupa and all, bevakasha(please). I excused myself to the WC to let them chat and yack about me and take a break and speak Hebrew. I looked for the men's and a woman directed me to it in fluent English without my asking, toda rabah. They then had those little artsy postcards you find at restaurants and like I did in Egypt, I did here. What I will do with them, who knows. So I took a few. I may have some spares...

The sad time comes when you must say goodbye. I offered the goodies in my bag, some British Airways magazines,cookies, etc., saying they weren't going back with me. I dropped them to the ground to watch them go for them and I was (chastened) for litering, oh well. Someone did take them, thank goodness.

I said goodbye to Nur and then to my new friend Dov who was heading back to his Kibbutz in Northern Israel. Maybe someday I will get up there. I already miss him.

Ophir drove me back which I appreciated as he needed to get back to work, so thank you for that. No buses please. I got nervous when they said they would put me on a bus. ahhhh
It was a sacrfice for him, so thank you.

More buildings, more pics, I atleast took a picture of a sign saying Jerusalem, so that is a start.

We drove past the Mossad H/Q and that was cool, but kept the camera down.

We drove past a flock of Israeli soldiers, that was a great sight. I admire them greatly, just too lazy to be one of them. smile

As with Dov, Ophir did help me as to my questions for the security check tomorow, something that did concern me. Yeah, I was nervous about it, hearing all kinds of bad things, like going for a test. More later.
My short time in Israel was a concern.

I parted with Ophir, but he comes to the US alot so I will see him.

That was fun!

Back to the room to get some rest and some more lounge time and computer time.

As sunset hit I took several pics and it was just beautiful.

I let dinner from the generous food in the lounge suffice, plus we had the late lunch, plus
I had all that food on the buffet with most of it staying in Israel. I needed to start shedding things to make the bag weigh less.

I decided that I wanted to take another taxi ride through Tel Aviv and I also wanted to go visit the other Sheraton in Ramat Gan. So down I went and caught a cab.

It was an interesting ride. I went through a passageway that had to be in Clean Sweep, the movie.

Across town and many apartment buildings came the 3rd Sheraton. Security going in was a wave and a Shalom.

I talked to the friendly man at the front desk and explained that I wanted to check out their executive lounge. I even showed him my key and he laughed as it is the same. Gave me the floor and said go on up. I love Israel.

The hotel is beautiful, clean, modern, a far cry from the other hotels, and very, very comfortable. I could enjoy this. People sat around the bar area drinking, conversing, a mix of Israelis and tourists.

Up the spacious elevator (the others were small and narrow) to the 4th floor.

Not only is the exec. lounge up here but also the pool and gym, ok, yeah, let's take a look. I waved to the cute Sabra behind the desk and made my way outside to a beautiful, very nice looking swimming pool. Yeah, I wanted in. I won't make any references to myself as the 'White Whale' LOL and move on.

The pool was great, so was the jacuzzi, but the view, wow!

You now had a fantastic, outdoor view of the city, the WTC, the TV tower, trains coming and going, a rail station across with pedestrian bridge, and so much more. Also the freeway was there, Ashkelon this way and all. I loved it. I stood and stared at it for a while.

I didn't want to leave. The weather was fantastic. Europe is freezing right now and in 24 hours I will soon be in London. brrrr

I hated to leave but moved on. I am coming back! I will probably mix and match this hotel with the others on a future visit. I like being by the beach, but I love the modern hotel.

Great workout area, techno type music, which I love, I listened, and crashed the lounge.

No one was there, no key card needed, walk in. What they trust me or something?

Smaller, but nicer and more modern than my home at the Moriah.

Same food as well, which is fine, I am full. Not that I would nosh on their food or anything. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

They had a tv and tried to play with it, they had some interesting channels. The girl came over and in very broken English, I think, said I could stay but not play with the tv or something. I couldn't tell. Her English is like my German, which probably worked in my favor. Oh well, I am done here. Yes, I did check out the bathroom, as always, much more clean and modern than the others.

Tried an upper floor and walked around but no views and all inside. Nice though. The view has to be great, but then no balcony. Can't have it all.

Back down and toured the lobby with a giftshop, small, but will do. Bought a different kind of bottled water, what I have seen in the movies, but different from Neviot in the lounge.
All in Hebrew and in a handwriting. This one is much better than Neviot, fyi. The water connoisseur that I am! and I am not kidding there, :P.

They had tourbooks and postcards. Ok. Bought a couple of books on Israel, Tel Aviv, and some postcards. An elite candy bar and I think that will do it. He gave me a sticker for Israel saying thanks for coming.

Now if the credit card will work, thankfully, it did. I was happy. I asked about the security check at the airport, explaining I am leaving tomorrow and said don't worry, it is not tourist season, it will be less crowded and they are easier at this time. Whether or not true, it was comforting. Yes, I was getting a little nervous about the big security check.

I thanked him and made my way with my new goodies and I thanked the cool guy at the front desk. Also grabbed a Jerusalem Post. I get them at my door but figure could use another for someone's goody bag.

Went out to catch a cab, the doorman said he would call me one. The taxi drivers in Israel, stupidly, leave their lights on (on top of the cab), even when occupied, which doesn't help things. I tried to get one coming into the hotel, he was full, he chastized me, he was rude. Screw you!

Went back to the doorman who apologized. I said screw it and made my way across the street. It is a very impressive set of buildings and very modern. You would never guess you are in the Middle East. Could be LA or London. Very European.

I crossed the street and tried to wave another, with the light on, who drove by, Ok, this is bad. I may be stuck here and the jetlag is settling in.

I then found a lovely Russian immigrant, she was a babe. Do you speak English? far more than most of the Israelis she spoke fluent, flawless English and offered to help. Too kind.
She pulls out her cell and then offers to call me a cab, I am impressed.
I see a cab from the other side, wave, he stops, I think her dearly. If it weren't for the jetlag, I might have asked her if she wanted to get a drink. Very cute, but alas, not meant to be. (une belle femme!)

The benefit of the hotels is that it overrides any language problem. Sheraton Moriah Ha'Yarkon street, and off we go. Dosvidanya baby. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

If the fatigue weren't settling in, I would have picked another hotel to visit, but why chance it. Same drive, but now with a different direction and before long, back home.

More views on of the city, more Israeli tv. Clean up the buffet.

Oh, a couple of things before I close the day out. I had bought a small Israeli flag and that was hanging on the chair, I have pics of that and the room.

More for my little brother who thinks Seinfeld is better than Friends(NOT!) , cough, but I am a fan all the same.
Jason Alexander aka George Costanza (the summer of George http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) was in Israel showing his support and they gave him a prestigous award. They interviewed him in English on network 2, Stein, during the news, and that was cool.
I like the cute little Network 2 clicks between commercials with a major Debra Messing(Grace on Will and Grace) look alike starring. It is like the cutesy Antenne 2 promos in France before they show a commercial. Wish we did that.

Also, there was a UN or something meeting in the Hague about Israel and the Palestinians and the Wall being built. Ah, I support the wall, and then some!

The big shinding on the news was showing Israelis in The Hague(Holland) showing support for Israel's position and then the Palestinians and their cause. I will just say this on the issue, then move on. You send your people to blow up innocent Israelis and wonder why they need to protect themselves? please! I like the wall. I am sorry for any inconveniences it gives to the INNOCENT Palestinians, who have been screwed, but hey, you have to protect your people. Also, terrorism is down by 50% since the wall went up. I think the US needs one, too. The Israelis also sent out a bombed out bus to the Hague and I think that proved its point very well. Keep the Wall Ariel!

My last view of the city at night, another prayer, and to bed.

Back in jolley ole' England in 24 at my Sheraton Skyline, Heathrow.



[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 10, 2004).]

Ok, here we go. The most emotional part of a trip is always leaving. The trip is not over, but come on, the new stuff is Israel and I am sad to leave.

I am anxious about the stupid security check, want to get it over with, but sad to leave Israel.

Up to the lounge to get some breakfast and then back to the room to do some packing.

Prepped all that I could. Took the last of the pics, as far as Israel is concerned, and something said pack the camera, and I had a strong feeling there, so no pics of Ben Gurion, which stinks.

I did that last walk. Went over to the real Sheraton and walked around it, checked out their lounge and they were very generous, they allowed me to stay for a bit and enjoy the great views from their high level floor exec Haven. Some English businesspeople were yacking doing business, I guess they were there to prep me to return to the motherland.

Checked out the pool and the lifeguard, a Russky, offered me a chair, I said, nyet, cpaciba.
Very kind.

The Russian Embassy is right across the street so that is kind of cool. If they didn't require a stupid visa I probably would have gone by now! pazahlstah! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I then returned via the Promenade, down below. Didn't quite make it to the Hilton which is a fair distance but went toward the boats. Unlike in the movies where they have hung out at the pier, we, the lowly public, were denied access and so much for that.

For some reason, while I had felt relatively safe in Israel til now, I started to feel vulnerable.
It was weird. I was leaving in a few hours, almost out. You really did feel, as was the case in Northern Ireland many years ago, oh that was freaky, that a bomb could go off at any time.
Also walking past the parked cars almost made me feel, not really nervous, but aware, concerned. It was an uncomfortable feeling, to say the least. Hey, but I am almost there.

Several Israeli fighter jets flew overhead. I couldn't see them, I could hear them, and they are loud. Interesting and cool.

Over to our neighbor, the Crowne Plaza, to check it out. Similar lobby, a bit newer and cleaner. Restaurant on that level, newspapers, went upstairs to the lounge. Couldn't get into the lounge but could see it, could also see the Rennaissance right across and probably my room as well. Too intimate, I will tell you. My 3am balcony visits and all.

-Strange thing, I had a dream about this hotel last night, here at home, not kidding. -

I have no idea, but, moving on.

I hit the lobby and saw their conference areas. Was too lazy to go down to the pool, which looked good from afar. The last thing to check out was their gift shop and fantastic it was.

I finally found my Israeli flag, something I have always wanted. I have yet to unpack it but I already have a door for it. The Aussie flag is on the opposite door which then faces my South African flag. Nations unite. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Bought the flag, Israel shirts, X tra large, of course, LOL, ugh, even had a Tel Aviv Hardrock cafe shirt. I think I even have a Tel Aviv shirt, gotta have that. An Israeli walked right in and while she(cute) was helping me he cut right in and yacked at her in Hebrew. It was very rude. I guess that she humored him and took care of him quickly to get rid of him. Ok... Very sad. I just stood there, ah, doyee.

The credit card worked and I wished her my best. She is a very cute and sweet girl and was very helpful.

Then back to the Sheraton Moriah where I swear one of the Mossad (like the CIA ) was working the door. It was warm, he had a full coat on, buttoned, sunglasses, and he was not nice at all. I also had a bad feeling about him. So I showed him that I was staying there, he blocked me at first, then let me in, Ok....... ick The others were nice. Seriously, I could see him as a Mossad. Very different from the other doormen.

Then went to the Sheraton gift shop for that final purchase, they had way less than the Crowne Plaza but this I could put on the room. Extra Sheraton points, which still haven't turned up on my account!

I bought my first mezuzot, they go on the doorpost, hey why not, 2 of them in fact.
I started liking having one at my hotel room which I kissed each entry and exit.. Kind of cool. Funny, I never see it at the Synagogue. Go figure.

Bought those, some more postcards, and that will do it.

Upstairs to finish packing and we are done. Took that last look at my precious view. I will be back.

tear......

One more tv reference, if I may. There was a commercial that I just loved.

A young couple (teenagers) are on a date. He is turned toward his friends, whom she cannot see, they help guide him through the date, motion to take her hand, hold up the menu the right way, it was adorable. The couple gets up and the guys give a high 5, only to see 2 young women doing the same on the other side.

I get so fed up with American commercials, they are beyond ridiculous and stupid.
I change the channel the second they come on and the idea that someone gets paid for this crap is scary, not kidding. This commerical is brilliant and I was very impressed. Probably one of the best commercials I have ever seen.

Israel, briefly here, has some wonderful tv programs. Shemesh, Parnas in the Tavern, Lag B'omer(met one of the actors here in LA), and my favorite, Zu Artzaynu, all brilliant and very creative. Unfortunately, saw none of these while here, they are probably old. Thank you Israel Film Festival and Drishat Shalom.

Time to go........

Up to the lounge for that final chocolate pecan cake. You can check out here but opted to check out at the front desk, watching my time and wanting to get to the airport early.

I thank them warmly for their wonderful and outstanding hospitality. They wish me a good trip and that I come back, which I will. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Down to reception and to that same beautiful woman who brought me in in the first place. I go out of my way to be waited on by her. Paid $100 US, the rest on my debit card. All went thru, whewww. The Rennaissance not taking the certs put me off by over $300/400. Also, I had about a $100 US in extra expenses here. Naughty me.

Also, fyi, if you rent a car in Israel, they authorize your card at US $2,000. I couldn't do that. OUCH Just so ya know.

I filled out the comment card and thanked them dearly, shaking hands with the staff. I hate goodbyes, they are awful.

Out to a taxi and Mr. Mossad gets me a taxi, Ben Gurion, Toda.

We make the same journey toward Ramat Gan.

A stupid bus cuts a turn and misses the light, makes all of us miss the light, too. Driver is not happy! Let loose that horn!! Yeah. I am loving it. Someone who drives like me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

By the way, everytime a bus came along and drove alongside of us, it freaked me out!!
I can't even imagine Jerusalem. Cringe.

It was that emotional drive, that farewell, always a pain. For some reason, Singapore was one of my hardest to leave, very sad. Everytime I would drive my rental car to Dorval in Montreal, very sad. Leaving Paris, si triste.

The taxi driver was cool, some English. I asked how much, he gave me a ridiculous number, like a $1,000 US, then laughed.

On to the highway to Ben Gurion. We talked a little, I took my last look at Tel Aviv.

A car almost hit us and he was cursing at him, then saw his sign, " Oh, security! it figures it is security!!" then cursed the guy, I loved it! This guy was fun. Mr. Security idiot just drove off.

Back to the open lands and interesting highway signs. Most are in Hebrew and English, one was in Hebrew and Arabic, no English.

He offered to take me to Jerusalem, even the outside of it, just to see it, I said no, wanting to get to Ben Gurion and he said ah, don't worry, check in will take 5 minutes. NOT! for us foreign people, for the Israelis yes. So I passed and explained that now I have incentive to come back.

We hit the Airport checkpoint and he said Shalom, the guy waves us on. This is easier than LAX, lovely. So we Yanks are going overboard!?

Then you can see the new terminal. The ELAL hangars. Then our terminal.

Tropical trees abound and a big parking lot in the middle. I would expect more security, but figure it is hidden.

He drops me off. He charges more than the other ride, I still give a good tip.

I like him.

Off to get a cart and then find an entrance. Half the doorways are blocked, ugh.

The entrance was the final seen in 'Besame Mucho.' Kind of cool.

---

Leaving Tel Aviv Day 4 Wednesday part 2

Ok, the infamous 'Israeli security check.'

Before we depart, some background. Many of you know about this (BS) firsthand and some of you HATE it. Some know nothing.

Way back in the early days of Israel some Arabs decided to hijack planes. They took a plane to Uganda, 'The Raid at Entebbe', one of my favorite movies, they hijacked planes to Jordan and blew them up. Planes were hijacked, Israel saw a need for tight security, more than most countries in the world could ever imagine.

I will give you there is a need for security. Do the Israelis go overboard? Yes they do.

We were sitting at a Delta gate at LAX after a nice Thai dinner with Brian, my friend in Paris, and an American friend of his who lives in Europe. He happens to do business in Israel. Somehow the subject of the Israeli security check came up and I thought he was joking. He had to convince me he was actually serious.

The guys' travel agent mistakenly put on the same ticket Israel to Europe, he lived in Paris, then to Algeria.
Well, needless to say, the Israelis didn't like that all too much. He was questioned to death, in private, for over 3 hours. Why they tell you to get there 3/4 hours early. They ain't kidding. He said it was mentally exhaustive and basically called it hell. He shared another story that I won't share, not good. I am trying to think if that got him out of going to Israel again on business. He hated it. I cringed at hearing this.

My dad's secretary flew ELAL (mistake, the Pastor should be shot http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) with a church tourgroup. She put it this way.
She is big and strong. Few things humble her, these people humbled me and said how the security questions drove her crazy. They asked her about everyone else in her group. The questions were long and arduous. She loved Israel, but didn't care for this.

I called BA and asked about a fare to Israel. She happened to have gone to Israel and the BA agents' response is very similar to what I hear from most people: "great trip to Israel, had a wonderful time, but with the security hassles at the end, no thanks." And consequently and sadly, many never come back. If you come here once and see everything, ok.

I have a friend who was a flight attendant for a US charter carrier. He worked Hajj charters and so he had a Saudi work visa in his passport. Never thought of it til this charter flight landed in Israel. An Israeli flight attendant had a great idea and collected all the crews' passports and handed them in together. The Israeli officer still found the visa. He was kept in a cell, they gave him steak and were kind to him, but was not allowed to leave the airport. More details but we'll just say, he didn't like it, but the Israelis tried to be cordial. When he left with the crew the Israelis put a huge deported stamp in his passport. He took that passport to the airline and said, no more Israel.

I have witnessed ELAL security. It is a b*tch, to be blunt. I stood there at JFK and watched them intensely interrogate the passengers. Let's just say politely, the less Jewish you are, the more you are going to be checked, and that is exactly what happened. An image that I will never get out of my mind was at the JFK ELAL area.
They had a woman sitting at a chair, looked frazzled, I don't know what word to use, she stared into space, while the security staff vehemently x-rayed everything by a manual wand type of instrument. Her look haunted me for a while, thinking about her on my AA flight to LA. Oh and they saw me watching and I got out of there. They didn't like that.
Same at other airports as well. I am amazed they don't do that garbage in private. The other airlines into Israel are nothing compared to ELAL, why I wouldn't even consider fying ELAL into Israel. Out of Israel, apparently, everyone gets the same treatment, though out of logic and common sense, I have to assume there is more protection toward ELAL.

In any case, and I am sure many have their own stories, Israeli security is a pain in the ...(ymptote).

I have people who won't go back to Israel because of it, I have to say that it helped to put me off, and I have people that along with suicide bombings and the like allow it to put them off.
Ask a few questions, obviously x-ray the bag, but let's not go overboard.

One more, then will go to the flight out. I e-mailed the US Embassy in a neighboring country, not Israel, and asked them if security was as tough as in Israel. Oh no, the XXX's are not as bad as the Israelis and 2 hours are fine.
Ok.......

I wanted to give some background as to my concern over the whole thing. I have other war stories, but you get the idea.

With that, let us depart.

Tel Aviv to London Heathrow

For the religous here, as you can imagine, I am praying (and fasting).

Into the terminal, when I could finally get into the departures hall.

Over to British Airways, and no shortage of lines.

I go to the first gatekeeper. She speaks to me in Hebrew, they do that on purpose.

If you are Israeli and you speak Hebrew, and blah blah blah you check out, you get directed to the easy line. You bypass the security crap and X ray machine and get directed to the front. I watched. You get something, but nothing compared to what we get. UGH

So, I need English, Anglit? and that killed me right there. I show my ticket and passport and she directs me to the line for us foreigners. Hey, the US and every country do it for Immigration. It is a pain either way.

While we are standing in line someone comes over, British Airways? Yes. They created a new line for us. The lovely couple behind me dart out past me in true form and go ahead.
Honestly this was accidental, I swear. My baggage cart nailed him in the back of his leg. I couldn't see it with my suitcase blocking. He stopped, asked me not to get him in the back of the leg, I apologized. Do I feel bad? heck no, you cut right in front of me you schmuck.
He deserved it, and there ya go. :P~ Sorry... but it was accidental, I just couldn't see it.

Actually it worked out well as now he and his wife are the first guinea pigs. You had the Lufthansa check in and then another one, I think a charter, couldn't see from way over here.

Here we go. A cute Russian girl comes up with her stickers and already I am thinking this has to be easier than ELAL, I know it is.

She asks them questions, she puts stickers on everything, they don't take that long.

My turn. I say Shalom. I play the Jewish card, hard. I explain how I had a wonderful trip, which I did, and I will be back. I mention the Rabbi back home. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif She did ask me some Jewish related questions. She asks if I know any Hebrew? some, and I gave a few examples. Baruch Ata Adonai... The more Hebrew you know, the more Jewish you are. Not that Palestinian Intelligence doesn't study Hebrew. Whatever. Kind of nuts. I didn't say that I am a diehard practicing Christian, but I did make the reference to my Christian mother. I am a half breed, so label me where you want. Actually, I wanted to see where they labeled me. Hint, the more Jewish you are, the less of a threat that you are, ironically, even though you are flying a British Protestant airplane. Ok... I know Paul is having a field day with this one! Some of this was written just for you in mind. he he

She then actually turned to security questions. Did you pack your bags? Where did you go? Who did you see? What did you do? Did anyone give you anything? They were fair, to be honest, and much less than I expected. Again, I think most people who had problems flew ELAL, and hence, some advice darlings, STAY THE HELL OFF OF ELAL! there ya go.

She put stickers on my ticket, which was electronic, and on all the bags. I shook her hand.
Hey, this isn't so bad.

Then the mess, which I have read about, getting up to the coveted Monster X ray machine.
As I made my way up, the officer asked me to wait to the side as they were trying to clear out an earlier flight, fair enough, so I took a seat and read the 'Jewish Journal.' http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif A paper from LA that I do enjoy, and read every week, though I had a feeling this would be more suitable than the Christian Times or something, LOL.

The area is confining, it is a pain in the butt, too small, too crowded, and too many people. No one wants to wait in line and everyone crowds in at the machine. The ticket offices, joyfully, are to my right and how you would ever get to them without going through this even to buy a ticket I don't know. It is crazy. I can't imagine that things have been like this for this long. It literally is hell, if you will. Very poor planning and doesn't make beloved Israel look good.

Finally I am called up and they help me put my bags on the belt. Swooossshhh, kind of cool, and in they go, and then you go around. I don't know what the security stickers mean.
I think I have a 36, with a Hebrew letter circled, can't tell what it is, and it is purple. If anyone wants to help out!? toda. I am curious. For most of the people when the bags come out, they get a full check and are sent to the tables. I don't have so much a problem with this just that the tables and surrounding areas are small, very cramped, and so uncomfortable.
It it were a temporary setting, sure, but how long have they been doing this? Come on.

My prayers and fasts do pay off. I don't get checked. I am cleared, wheewww. For now. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
All my bags pass and the nice security guy tells me to go ahead and check in. I am happy.
I say about 90% are getting nailed for a very extensive bag search. Bags are on the tables and being ransacked, something you will see sometimes at customs, but this was over the top. Just pushing my cart with bags through to the British Airways check in was a chore. I am sure I bumped people and carts getting through and I wanted to get out of there.

There is a weird orange tag on each bag with a barcode. I have never seen anything like it before. If anyone has info, please share, I am sure we would all like to know.

Was it as bad as I had thought? so far, no, was it pleasant? not really. Would I want to do this all the time? heck no. Watching the others get nailed I felt bad for them. Maybe the machine didn' t like them.

I was selected for a random customs check in Sydney. I had something in each suitcase that the machine didn't like: my razor, a flashlight, and there was something else.
It happens.

Up to the wonderful BA check in and they were very kind. I feel like I had passed(so far).

It is kind of neat to see Israelis in BA uniforms.

Electronic ticket, check in, take the bag, no hassles. My bag was over its alloted 23 kilos but he said don't worry about it. I love Platinum! I think 27 kilos, whatever that is in pounds. Remember, I hate math!

With that, I was free, for now.

I exited (hell) and went landside. They x-rayed my carry ons and then I can walk freely landside, ok.

I did walk around the arrivals area, upstairs to a small food court, and outside. There isn't much to see or do landside so it isn't much of an airport to just visit, sadly.

Now with most of the thing over I was more relieved and sad to go. One last look at the famous terminal front.

Up to a B/P checkpoint and up the escalator. Oh good, more fun.

First Passport Control. More lines. Israelis here, foreigners there.

Lines were far more doable than coming in but again people taking cuts and you had to be vigilant. Finally get up, asked for a stamp out, and wait. She looks at the passport, takes a while to, then calls out my first name, I say ken/yes, she looks at me, looks down, stamps it, and I am out of Israel. Toda rabah.

Kind of emotional, but South Africa stamping me out was the most emotional for me, with Hong Kong pre-handover 2nd most.

Now security. More lines, more waiting, more cutting. UGH

I get to the front and they ask to see my ticket which of course is put away. Not my boarding pass? No, ticket. The ticket is a paper showing confirmation of my BA reservation.
OK. The purple sticker which worked for me downstairs did NOT work for me up here and she told me to stand at the side. Cringe. Others with all kinds of passports filed suit past me. Oh joy.

They were trying to explain to me something about another security machine or something and it was down, their English was awful. Gee, airport, security, nah, don't need English here, too much! The Russians,in general, spoke better English. I found that interesting.

Then they took the next victim, a European, I am guessing German, they had him stand to the side with me while others got to go through. We looked at each other, smiled, he said, "this is hell." I nodded. I am thinking it is BS. The Israelis aren't making any friends with the millions of tourists who came here to support them.

He mentioned not being able to do Duty Free, etc. I am guessing he is on the Lufthansa flight which leaves before the BA flight. Then we go. But somehow they were protective of both of us. Bags on the belt, ok, done. No. Now put your bags on this other belt, ok.

Now come here, and again, very cramped and uncomfortable, and we are in the way of others trying to clear through. They gave me a manual wand search, which is better than the overpersonal pat down at FRA and the British Airports when you ding the machine.
I pass. Dieu Merci! I am done. Get me the hell out of here!

I think we have a new definition of hell. It is also garbage. I smile to my friend who is getting the works, actually a bit more than me. ta ta God bless him.

Now, how much time do I have? I was mad to have come early thinking now I don't have enough time. Actually, it worked out. I looked at every major Duty Free store. Checked out the ELAL lounge at the very end to try to get a magazine, no deal. Too much to come to Israel and I can't get an ELAL inflight. Sorry Darwin. and for myself.

The airside area is a much more comfortable, modern, doable area than downstairs. Good shops and it is more European, whereas downstairs is more Middle Eastern. Very interesting contrast, I think.

Tel Aviv to Heathrow BA 767-300

Ok, let's finish the Israeli part.

I am making an effort to get this done, now at 0200 am.

FYI, the remainder of the trip is going to go fast, it pretty much has been covered in previous reports, realizing that one of you wants to go to England and wants info, but I will call you before you go and will give you plenty of advice.

Ok. Walked around the terminal, covered pretty much every store, more so the chocolate stores, but didn't buy anything. Not sure where the credit cards were $$$ and I still had a few days ahead of me.

They have 2 lounges at Ben Gurion. ELAL and JetSet which is pretty much for everyone else.

BA gave me a pass to the JetSet, very nice, they made it easier for me than when I have to hassle with the BA lounge Wardens at Heathrow. Kind of ironic. I also had access to it via Priority Pass, so I am covered.

Dropped off the pass to the Warden in a very crowded, packed, and uncomfortable lounge. Again, hell. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Too much.

How long has this freaking airport been in operation? Very glad about the new terminal and I wouldn't want to come to Israel until they complete the new Terminal 3, but I am glad that I did this once. ONCE.

They had some cookies, some very tasty little chocolate cream cakes, those were delicious. A few sodas, I actually filled my cup with water from the water cooler.

The place was packed, no place to sit, and way too uncomfortable. The WC/toilet is meant for skinny people and a contortionist act is needed to get by anyone in it, too much. Public one is much nicer. Grabbed a couple of cakes, threw a few things in my pockets, and told her I would be back as they board the bus from the lounge, which I def. like! Wish that more airports would do something like that.

Back into the public area and whewww.
Kind of ironic, the lounge sucks,
the public area of the terminal is better, more spacious, plenty of seating, again, the opposite of the landside area which has nothing for visitors, greeters, save a couple of shops.

I enjoyed the big windows and you had views of some good planes. Swiss MD-11, Air France A320, Iberia A320, Royal Wings Dash 7(Jordan), Lufthansa 747-400, and several ELALs and an Arkia 757. All good. I couldn't see our plane.

They have a big Israeli flag in front of the terminal on the apron, I like that.

I think for many people, especially from the Americas, they may make one trip/pilgrimmage here. So it is hard to leave not knowing if you will ever come back. I will come back, I know that.

I will gripe about the stupid security, but I will come back. However, to be honest, if I have a few days,etc, I have a feeling Cyprus, Egypt, or Jordan would probably do the trick. (being honest)

Ok, I have seen everything, done everything. I went to a music store and bought some Israeli music cd's, which, are priced in US $$$.

Back at home I was at the Virgin Megastore and found an Israeli Cd, couldn't read it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, said why not. Dana Berger. The first song on the CD I have listened to thousands of times, including today, I love it.

So I buy out the Dana Berger collection plus one more, not sure who. I paid out my remaining Shekels and used my plastic for the rest.

I have listened to 2/4 so far and they both stink! Oh well.

Same with Nena in Germany. I bought a cassette at Zurich Airport. Found a song that I had listened to so many times, loving it, I broke the tape, but never found it again and Nena's songs are good, but I want this one. Such is life.

Ok, WC break,and good bathrooms they are, thumbs up, visited the small Synagogue where some guy was repacking his stuff, then back to the lounge. More cakes, more to swipe, it is a bit emptier now and flights are going out.

They call the BA flight, down the stairs. A BA agent takes the ticket and wish her my best. To the last Israeli standing at the doorway leading to the bus, I say Shma Y'israel. (pretty much God bless Israel, or how I take it in translation)

Onto the bus, we go out to the plane. Cool! Lot's of good planes out and it is neat to be near so many ELALs. Now may I have a magazine please? LOL I slowly exit the bus and slowly make my way to the plane, covered stairs and all so I can look, looking over at the arrivals area where it all started, and then up and back, technically speaking, on British soil with friendly and sweet BA crews to go along with it. Cheers mates!

BA 767 TLV to LHR

Ok, board the plane, music playing, people seem friendly. Crews are great, smiling, British politesse here.

Most of the plane is Israeli and alot of the people are wearing kippot(skulcaps), vs. secular Tel Aviv where you
didn't really see much of that. I go my whole time in Israel and see very few kippot, talit, tzitzit, etc., then board
British Airways and I am in an Ultra Orthordox and Haredim Synagogue. The irony, yes, is there. ha ha

Well, someone is in my seat. He gives me the BS, I found my friend, suprise, go ahead and sit back there,
blah blah blah BS. I knew it. I said as long as I get a window seat, I don't care. Sure enough, my trade 2 seats back in the flying Synagogue was a window, we're good. I actually stuffed my black carry on into the overhead where I was supposed to sit, then went through my carry on bag for the basics: water bottle, book on Israelis, and something else, maybe a candy bar, nothing too fancy. Took a seat and the crew actually stuffed the bag into the overhead. Thank you, the more legroom, the better.

Everyone around me was 'religous', full garb. Sorry to say this but I know people who would just go nuts, i.e. non-practicing Jewish 'secularists', love the name, who hate that stuff. Most Christians would say cool, something different, and it is. At the Syn. we wear kippot, almost never Tallit. It is Reform, it is a bit more casual, and I like it that way!!! Thank you Rabbis!

I say a hello to my neighbor. He doesn't talk much. I couldn't even describe all that he has on. Does he walk around like this all the time? In England? oh that must be fun. They are all British Jews(his family), going home,as they didn't need the white English landing card that the rest of us pee-ons needed.

Here we go. Doors close, engines start, and we taxi out. Go out to the taxi way and I am looking at all the other planes as the sun starts going down. I wish that we had a little more daylight for the flight, although we are heading West and chasing the Sun.

They do the BA safety video. Amazingly, not a word of Hebrew. Ok....

How the Britts get away with their horrible language skills, I don't know. BA went out and splattered a bunch of ugly paint on their planes, trying to be more 'international,' in the process they removed a beautiful blue coated plane with the British Royal emblem. Many were sad about this. You want to be international, speak some freaking languages on your int'l flights! ah, sorry, DUH! again, too much, just too much. I am so so with the newest scheme, but love the older one with the Crest.

We taxi out past some cool Israeli military planes, a military unit getting drilled, glad I am not them! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, hey, P.E. was enough, and we go out to the runway. Time to say final goodbyes and we are rolling.

Green pastures, nice scenery, sunset, and liftoff. Saw several apartment buildings and sadly, into the clouds, which obscured the view. You could see a few buildings down below and then before long we were over the ocean. I wanted to get one last look at Tel Aviv, but no way. Oh well. Sad and Shalom.

They didn't tell us the routing, there was no flight map, no watch, clock is packed away (remind me about that one later). I am guessing we headed up toward Greece/Turkey as in the end I found out we had done a Northerly route.

I would have liked to talk to my seatmate but he had his headphones on, listening to his cd player, and so I put on my BA headphones and listened to the BBC World news, time to get an update. Following that they had a good lineup of entertainment. A movie and tv shows. I read my book. Even though I have left Israel, let's see what we can accomplish.

Drinks service followed by dinner. Similar dinner as coming out, a chicken something. I was stuffed from those little cakes, but it was good. In coach I seldom keep track of the meals, sometimes not even up front, unless they somehow stand out. Apart from Cathay and Singapore, and Air France, sorry, they seldom do.
I liked the little Israeli products like the Prigat orange juice, in English and Hebrew.

Comfy seat, tight legroom. My neighbor and I are, ah, on the heavy side, doesn't make for a comfortable 5 hour flight to London.

Fortunately, I had no problem getting out, he was quite amenable in that way. He also got up more often than my beloved seatmate coming down, so, we had some more freedom. Coach sucks, let's admit it. I just wanted the flight to get overwith and get to London. Then back to AA's more legroom, thank goodness for it.

I did a couple of walkabouts. Had some stares at my lapel pin, which, by the way, I would find that appropriate time to remove. ( I think on the way to passport control at LHR)

I read, I tried to snooze. Hey, it was uncomfortable. The passengers in front of me threw their trash on the floor, which was nasty, and it would roll back to me. The only benefit they threw down their amenity kit and headsets and I swiped those. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif but the rest, YUCK! The crews do need to come around with a trash bag.

By the end of the flight, it was a pigsty. Atleast put the trash in the seatpocket. Better than on the floor.

We flew over some cool looking cities, but I had no idea. I am going to guess Prague, bridges, the way it was spread out, and I was in Prague in November. hmmmmm any ideas? It drove me batty.

Then we flew over a large city. I was thinking Paris which I have flown over before. It was huge, lot's of lights, and you could actually see the highways and cars leaving it. I later figured out it must have been Berlin. Thinking it was Paris, we would have been at the coastline soon, but still more land.

Then the pilot came on and said we were over Belgium, wow, that far north. So we really did take quite a northerly route. He started making preps for arrival in London explainaing there were ATC delays over London. Yeah, get me off the bloody thing, thanks.

Over the English Channel, starts descent, and before long, the lights of London. This actually I didn't mind. We had to do 4 left turns over London, so actually after all that cramped in there, I didn't mind the extra views of beloved London, free of charge.

He was right, 4 turns, and then into Heathrow. Right hand side is usually the best for the approach into Heathrow.

Canary Wharf Financial Centre, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and into LHR. Dentist's drill starts acting up, though wasn't on the wing this time, thank goodness. That drove me nuts before.

Did the usual approach into Hounslow and all that fun stuff. I don't know the runway # but he touched down and flew parallel to Terminals 2 and 3 and reverse and we are home. Taxi to Terminal 4 and not a bad view.

The pax got up before we were at the gate and I was waiting for the Britts to say no no, but they didn't which was a surprise. Go and do that on a US airline, they will come and throw you down. We parked at the first gate to the left of the terminal, where the Amsterdam flight leaves from, usually.

Nailed a couple of safeties and the longhaul Duty Free catalogue which I won't get going to Paris.

I wished my seatmate a good trip, he did the same for me. Said goodbye to the crew, who were great and smiling, and into the jetbridge and down to passport control.

It was nice just to be off the thing. Too crowded, too cramped, too full. You need to realize that American really is a Godsend to us. I am not sure if I could do it without their legroom. Can't stand Delta's legroom. etc.

My lapel pin subtly was removed. We are done there and down to a snake of lines, the longest I have seen at 4. I usually arrive from Paris, once Amsterdam, and the place has always been empty.

Getting my docs ready and that stupid landing card. I was able to witness one more act of Israelis cutting the line, and very clever. As we came around a corner between the railings a guy in front snuck around, past the unsuspecting Britts, and jumped ahead. If you did this at every turn, you might pass a few people, but is it really worth it?
I wanted to kick him, but let it go. If you think that is helping Israeli's reputation abroad?! guess again Einstein!!

My turn to the front. This should be easy. Not! He is a jerk. Where have you come from? Tel Aviv. He didn't like my in and out, which quite frankly, I have done far more than this. He wanted to see my ticket to America, to see that he was going to finally get rid of me. He was rude and obnoxious and I could have said something I shouldn't so I didn't, but here ya go, STUFF IT MATE! :P~ Yutz. (in my head) smile

Stamp and move on. WC break, down to bag claim. The place is dead empty, but they put our flight at the very last bag claim at the end of the bag claim area. Go BA! Too much.

My clock apparently has an alarm, set to go off. It was sounding off in my suitcase and that freaked me out.
Had to open the suitcase on the floor and turn it off. I am surprised that BA security or customs didn't notice it.
Tells ya alot, doesn't it? An alarm sound coming loudly from a bag and they don't notice it. Ok...

Off to customs. Customs, officers stand there and look at ya while ya pass through the beloved green channel, only Her Majesty's finest are on a tea break and the customs hall is dead empty. We waltzed right through, ok. I guess they figure the Israelis X rayed the hell out of every freaking bag that what more could they do? Makes sense, actually.

I looked at the arrival shop, pass.

Exit to the public area, oh it is cold. Oh and I grabbed my leather jacket from the suitcase at bag claim. You need it here!
Went to WH Smiths to get some water and a candy. Chastized the daylights out of a Britt who I thought was cutting in front. He apologized, I apologized, then felt bad. I explained that I just came from Israel. He understood. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif LOL
We laughed. Cheers.

Ok, now for the Heathrow fun. Down the lift, drag the bags, make my way to the Heathrow Express. Have to remove the bags from the cart and drag them to the (bloody) train. I miss the ..............train by 2 seconds and the conductor says no, you must take the next one. Yes, I cussed, sorry, I did. I was pissed.

I think all of the hassles of the day came out then and there. I think Heathrow is a nutty place and full of BS planning. I wasn't going to pay for a taxi to the hotel, not when I can manage the bags to the stupid train, and I would have to take a taxi when going to Paris with all the bags. But to just miss the train. Oh I was mad. GRWL http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Finally, the next train. They play weird music and all that. I am thinking these people ought to be shot for this planning. You take a train to get from Heathrow Terminal 4 to the other terminals, then you walk a long way to the terminals, then take a bus which YOU PAY for to the hotel. I suppose in all fairness to Israel, this is hell, too.

Arrived at the Heathrow Express station. Then it is a long jaunt to Terminal 1, through the arrivals hall, wait for a bus.

Bus comes, you get to load the bags onto it yourself, he sits there on his royal can and smirks, then you get to pay for it. Probably over time my overnight transfers at Heathrow will go with the wind. It if fun to be there and watch the planes, but oh what a bloody hassle it is, especially when T4 is involved.

Bus takes you to the Sheraton Skyline, home atlast.

Heathrow

Did the check in at the Sheraton Skyline at LHR. The staff are wonderful, some of the best, and they commiserated with me over the Hoppa and all that rubbish. The Heathrow hotels used to have their own shuttles, then the beloved BAA put an end to all that and intro'd the Hoppa. We went from a large, comfy bus where the driver helped you with your bags to
a crummy, run down, very uncomfortable piece of something http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif that they actually charge you for and the driver sits on his can. Too much.

Hell if you must deal with Terminal 4. The problem is I fly BA to Paris from Terminal 4, there ya go.

Many people in the Americas and Europe love to curse Heathrow. The problem is alot of British bashing gets snuck in the process and how can you argue with them? The French love to curse it, but CDG has a way to go, though I will give you, CDG doesn't do a Hoppa and train service like LHR, so one point for the French. Oh my.

Anyway, nice check in, sweet staff, this is what makes staying at LHR doable and I was excited to get this hotel on Priceline for $70 US. I just wasn't getting that at CDG, why I took another night at LHR. Also there was no way to connect straight to Paris or I would have. You arrive at LHR at 2030 hours.

Up to my big, comfy room with a huge king bed. Yummm Ordered room service with a club sandwhich, love England's clubs and some chips, or French Fries, I guess now Freedom Fries, LOL. ahhhhhhh

While waiting called home. Mom and I talked for a while. Had her call me right back and she was happy/relieved that I was out of Israel. I am surprised she let me go, to be honest. She fought me with South Africa and I gave in the 2nd time. I am glad someone cares. Hey, I did it, I wasn't blown up, and I accomplished something that I really needed to do. So thank you, though some thought I was nuts, hey, something I had to do.

Also talked with Brian a bit and he is doing better. Room service, tons of tv in English, you learn to appreciate that when you come back, you take it for granted while in the English speaking world.

I did watch some cool planes take off. From my room on the top floor facing the airport you get them as they start their roll for take off. Ironically, one of the flights is the late night BA to Tel Aviv. Keep it for now. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Lights out.

The next day was pretty simple and lazy and I had earned it. Not having had e-mail access, wasn't sure where I was with my friend in Paris. He was supposed to come, couldn't and I understood, though it would have been nice. It was hard to make plans with the unkown.

I watched planes, took several pics, ate the leftover from the last night, and packed, repacked. I still have to get my bags from the Marriott.

I was enjoying a scandal given to us on Sky tv, then all the stations. It took CNN world a while to pick it up. Apparently Blair had the UN leader's offices in London bugged, Koffi Annan, and then the you knew what hit the fan. I loved it. It was a scandal and it wasn't my President or my country or the dear Canadians getting nailed over some stupid Airbus sale.

I like Blair so I am with him but it was fun to watch, sorry. I have a feeling the UN was ticked and all kinds of goodies come out. Gotta love it.

Pack up and check out.

They watched my bag while I did a walkaround. They had a big conference, again, with stuffed shirts,ick, and stopped at the model shop and got out, too tempting and I am not spending any money I don't need to here, sorry. Oh this place is expensive.

My club sandwhich, phone calls, and whatever other incdentals cost about $70 US. I freaked. The card worked. The geniuses then charged me twice when I got home but we sorted it out. ....

I grabbed my suitcase and rolled it to the Marriott nextdoor. They watched it while I checked out the lounge, but my friend wasn't there. I did a quick tour. The porters here are very nice.
The reception staff are not, so deal with that.

They pulled out my bags and called a cab. Some guy, a fellow Yank, was heading to T 4, I told him to take a cab. I explained, trust me, it is worth it, he took the cab.

Even though I was short of pounds, I tipped this guy in US and some UK as he was so nice. I couldn't resist.

The cab took maybe 5 minutes, up Bath road, had to do a turn around, to the Le Meridien, near the entrance to Heathrow. 9 pounds, with tip, call it $20 US for going down the street.
I just can't afford England, sorry. I was later told that there is an 8 pound minimun for going between any hotels at Heathrow. God help them. Too much. I shook my head.

The porter at Le Meridien was wonderful. The kind of Britt you love. Very kind and watched the bags and I checked in. The check in staff are French. I griped about how expensive England is, she agreed, took a slight stab at the Britts, but politely and very subtly. She has to be careful. She said England is expensive for everyone, not just Americans. True.

I called over, as I did with all the hotels, asking for a high floor facing LHR. Done and done nicely. I actually stalled coming over here thinking the place would be a dump. Not so.

It has all been refurbished and is actually very impressive. My porter took me up to the room and I gave him what I could, apologizing profusely, he understood. Unfortunately, I was very short on those US $ I was using to tip.

The room was great, beautiful Continental bed with the big duvet/comforter. I love it.

Had to have someone come up to fix the drapes, which they pretty much dismantled. A weird drape design, couldn't move it, couldn't see out the window. The windows open!!

Fantastic view of the planes and the terminals. Finally had somewhat of a view of Terminal 3 where so many goodies come in.

I stood there and photographed planes all evening . I wore out the poor camera and had to search thorugh all the bags for batteries, the poor thing. I would open the windows, freeze, take pics, close, warm up.

It was great to get all the bags together again. Did packing, unpacking, and sorting. BA is going to kick my butt tomorrow. Long live elite status! Also long live the USA, that is what saved me really.

I was hungry, looked at the menu, they had high prices with that pound thing in front of it, yeah, too much.

So I walked to a pub across the street, I still have the menu, but I didn't like it, so down Bath road to McDonalds. America's ambassador to the world and I love it!

Even with McD's, in pounds, it really wasn't that cheap, but it tasted good.

Oh and the weather was freezing. It was biting cold. I stopped to look at a SAA Airbus depart and froze in the process. I debated going into my usual, the Rennaissance, but passed. I think this is the first time, without my family, I didn't stay there. They have the best view of the planes, but I love Le Meridien.
The rooms at the Renn. are British style shoeboxes, way too claustrophobic and I go nuts after one night, all I can take there.

Stopped at Texaco for some snacks and some water. Yes, I drink water, lot's of it, and
can never get enough.

Oh and I watched 'Who is the Weakest Link', the British version. I can't stand that woman. She is just as rude and obnoxious there in England as she is when she comes here to the States.

My favorite all time scene from this show was on the American version:
she asked a contestant who happened to a be guy from London, why did you leave London?
"to get away from women like you!" I loved it. I laughed so hard, the audience loved it, and it was a smash. Oh she drives me batty. She doesn't help England's reputation abroad, I can assure you! (itch)

Watched the Austrian tv show, Rex or something, he is an Austrian police dog on the German Sat 1 channel, I love that show, got hooked in Switzerland. The actors are different. I like the other guys they had, but great scenes of Vienna and you get to hear Austrian German. I wish that Sat Einz would do subtitles as they take shows from all over German speaking Europe.

Then lights out.

LHR to CDG BA A319

Woke up, drapes open, to some incredible views. Planes everywhere. I liked the Kuwait 777, one of my favs, good colours, so nailed that one. AI 744 another one.

Barely got the Icelandair 757. Hence, I took more pics, and lot's of 'em. Oh this film is going to be expensive!

I forgot to mention that I had toured the hotel the night before. I like it.

Finished the packing. Just to get everything to Paris. I unload so many goodies for the guy in Paris, and yes he is so very worth it! He collects everything as I do, so easy to throw things in and I don't have to drag them back with me to the States, as with the rest of you. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

More pics, pack, shower, some last minute of that tv in English thing, call for a porter.

Oh goody, that expensive taxi. The same porter comes up, my gosh, do you live here mate? I really like him. He has a good, kind soul to him. I give him what I can. Check out is easy. Priceline pre-paid US $91, plus taxes. There is a story to that, but I am too tired. sorry
No incidentals. Thank goodness. Thank you McD's!

I signed up with their frequent stay program, see if I get something. Actually one Priceline worked and I did receive miles, so we shall see.

Ordered the taxi and my porter helped me out, explaining there is a fixed rate of 11 pounds from the hotel to Heathrow. One time from 4 it was 14 pounds. What on earth could it cost to go to London? The Queen's jewels? ahhhh

Alas it was my beloved driver from last November who took me to 4 for my other trip to Paris. I like him. He is another Britt that you like. Very kind, good man, good soul. We chatted all the way to Terminal 4. It is funny, it is a 45 minute flight to Paris, but you feel like you are going into the world. I guess it is T4.

I run and grab a cart, we settle, yes, I tip him generously, he is one of my favs.

Into the terminal with the police carrying machine guns. This is England?

To the front of the BA Club World queue. Set the bags down, yes, I am praying.
First bag is ok, but when I put the second bag down, she makes it subtle. May I see your ticket to the States please? Normally, with the low intraEurope baggage allowances, I would pay dearly. I assume being a Oneworld Sapphire gets me something, but the US allowance saves my soul.

As I return from Paris, directly to the US,they give it to me. She even takes the 3rd bag, thank you BA!

I thank her and off to WHSmith to buy my coveted book on the East German Stasi files on the UK. They were all over when I left, now I can't find it, I look, I panic, dang, they are gone. I want the book and I figure it will turn up. As I have already seen the landside and not much time for airside, I head to security. Empty the pockets, B/P out, and I pass with an A-.

Lines are small. I would be dead in the morning with all the flights going out, why I always take the late night AA to JFK. Hey, I will be back here in 24 hours. Too weird.

Did the usual BA lounge thing. This guy is cool so I don't play any games with him. He reminds me of a past religous leader(Christian) at home that is very dear to me(Stewart) so we smile. Normally I get annoyed having to show my card and B/P, rubbish, but to him, whatever. I doubt that he would make a fuss in any event. He is very sweet.

Some sandwhiches, ate my bacon fill, looked for a good newspaper to swipe, and more goodies for the guy in Paris. He loves the BA chocolate chip biscuits/ cookies.

I go out to the shops and look for my book. Oh my nowhere to be found.

Buy some chocolate now so that I can pack it in Paris and send it home to LA. BAA points card and all. Back to the lounge, some net, and time to head out, and I say cheers to my friend.

As I head for the gate to France, Star Alliance reps are out trying to lure customers over. My Untied card expires tomorrow. Oh sorry sir, you must reside in the UK. If I had had a UK address handy, Matthew!!! I could have done it. Oh well. No more Lufthansa lounges.

The Paris gate is not at the closer in gate 20, but gate 22. Oh no. I have to go up through that ugly hallway to the plane, not a short walk, now I am getting nervous. Lugging carry on bags, the Chocolate Box bags are big and heavy and my leather jacket is NOT helping either.
I do stop for a pic but for naught. They were good shots, too. When the camera rewinded, it ruined the film. Oh well. Made it to the gate and they were still boarding.

I take a breather. Too much crap. I take down the reg.,will give later, for the BA A319 which is way down there. Sort things out and down the ramp. I do wonder why they would put the Paris flight out at one of the outer gates. UGH on BA! LOL

Grab a Financial Times and board, they smile. I stuff(love that word) my carry ons into the overhead in Club class, yes, I cheat, saving my Business Traveller, UK edition, which I want to read, grabbed it from the lounge I had just left.

I am looking for my seat and they have 3 empty emergency exit seats waiting for me. I ask if I can move and she tells me to wait, then gives me the all clear. Very nice. More legroom, very comfy.

What surprised me is that she sat down at the aisle seat. Not good for safety card pilfering, uh oh. I joked, ah, now I get better service with you here, she is like, nah ah. LOL

Oh and I asked about a free upgrade, but had put it more politely. She said no, BA is actually trying to make a profit now, so we'll have you take your seat in coach. (itch!)

We push back and taxi out. The Airbus makes those weird noises. The lead cabin crew tries to be cute by throwing out some French. yeah, you guys are real int'l. Disgusting.
Their version of bilingual is Mesammes et monsieurs, a couple of times, so so bad.

I am suprrised the French and Germans don't throw stones at BA for no language skills on these flights. Gotta love it, in some ironic way, you really do, so British. UGH

Air France speaks English on their domestic flights in France. UGH Whateva.

We taxi out and roll away, after that lovely manual safety demo. We roll past the hotels and my new home, Le Meridien.

Lift off and some nice scenery and into the clouds. What is cool with the A319 is that they have the flight map. Down to Brighton and over the coast. Crossing into France I am guessing Boulogne or so. Very hard to see as the curtain in precious, coveted Club is blocking the view.

They offer crudites, some light veggies and dip, which I take, or that awful Yank pie, I mean Apple pie. Let the Yanks do the apple pie, darlings. LOL

I try to read what I can of Business Traveller, the letters being my favorite. Actually some good material was there. I finish my mineral water and we start our descent. I fill out the French landing card, en francais, bien sur, and it is easy like the UK one, just an annoying thing to have to do. We saved you after all. Both of you! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Came through the clouds and some flap action. He went East beyond Paris and Roissy and did a hard turn back heading West. Fluent bilingual annoucements were made, NOT, just English. Too much.

The view was splendid. I said a quick prayer for la France.

Madam itch was back at the seat. How was I going to get the cards and they stick out in an outer pocket. I plan to give all the cards to the guy here in France as I will be flying the same plane back tomorrow (NOT!). so I thought, oh well.

We made a great approach and landed on the South side, facing the new Terminal 2E, finally have a window seat!!!, pass 2C and then 2A and then over to 2B.

The BA's all over the place now turn into Air Chance, I mean Air France. Air Mauritius, Air Transat, my beloved AA, Cathay, and Air Austral from Reunion, cool.

Do we get a jetway? ah, no, gonna do that stupid park at the remote spot. We curse BA but I find out the next day that it is Air France screwing BA. OK.

The crew who resembles that woman from the Weakest Link gets up. I put 2 sets of magazines, Duty Free, everything together, then slide 2 safeties, one into each set.
She catches one and pulls it out, I am just going to remove the safety card, OK, but I get one. (stuff http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif )

Getting my carry ons I throw another safety card into the bag so now we have 2, that is fair.

Off the plane bidding my farewells onto a fun staircase and very cold. Onto the bus we wait, we wait, we wait, with some Scottish sportsteam. Go Scotland! I wish them my best. A light from the ceiling of the bus falls down from the ceiling and just barely misses one of my beloved Scotts. That was freaky. Cheap bus. He is ok.

We play around the tarmac, hey, the view isn't bad, then to Aerogare 2B. The bus lets us off and I think it is easy from here. Not so.

I arrange the carryons and put together a bag for the French guy. I bought him some Bounty and the goodies from the plane.

Upstairs via escalator this time, love it. I walk through the terminal and check out the Duty Free for tomorrow. The last time I arrived here it was late and everything was closed.

There is a long line for something. Oh it can't be. It is! Nos chers francais et la police de l'air have one passport officer at the booth for everyone, EU, non EU. Too, too much.
The line snakes out way into the terminal. I ask the lovely English lasses behind me to save my place dans la ligne and I get a cart, these bags are heavy.

The line takes forever and sure enough, people try to take cuts. A woman walks up into the line. I chew her out in French, oh but I don't speak French, good, here is some English for ya, the line starts back there. She mumbles something in a strong East European accent and then stays. UGH I moved forward and I figure if the English lasses don't mind then fine, but she ain't cutting in front of me. They had a plane from Bucharest and Sofia arrive.

Finally a 2nd officer arrives and opens up shop, but l'imbecille keeps it "tous passeports" or for all passports. That is fine with me, the Yank, but if they opened up an EU line, would have been so much better for their own. Whatever.

I get up and ask for a stamp(tampon) en francais and he complies. I am done.

I come into bag claim and the joy of all joys that wonderful Frenchman is standing on the other side of the glass. I wave and smile. Yes, he is wonderful and a very good friend and it is great to see him, even though he was in LA only a month ago. Happens every year.
He comes out for the LA show, then I do a mileage run and Paris is my sweet dessert at the end of the trip.

I grab my bags, they all make it, and sort his bag out. No customs, suprise, I make my way out.

&gt;&gt;I say Shma Y'israel. (pretty much God bless Israel, or how I take it in translation) &gt;&gt;

Shema Israel does not mean "G-d bless Israel". It means Listen Israel. It continues and states that there is just one G-d. It is the beginning of a much longer morning prayer.

&gt;&gt;Many of you know about this (BS) firsthand and some of you HATE it. Some know nothing. &lt;&lt;

You complain about the security. Israel is not Lichtenstein. As to your complaints about EL AL I know many who are loyal customers and only fly them to Israel though they can be more expensive. It remains my favourite airline; so it is a personal thing.

As to the flight attendant who spent the night in a luxurious jail, due to his Saudi Arabian visa what do you think the Saudis would have done had he had an Israeli stamp?

As to the bad drivers, I believe Israel has the highest accident rate in the world or ranks among the highest in the world.

Thank you for the correction, you are right.

As to security, I stand with my position and we have had this discussion, it is over the top, but please don't argue about it here. I will meet you at the ELAL board later and we can go at it, LOL.

As for ELAL, some love it, some hate it.

The Israeli flyertalkers I met all fly someone else, so, there ya go. I hear it is really bad service, but some fly it because it is Israeli.

AA has craapy service, but it feels good to get onboard a US plane and have a US crew after 2 weeks abroad, as you will see tomorrow.

As for the accidents, whatever. The Egytpians were far worse and the Italians are about as bad. I freaked in Milan, dad drove. scary

As for the stamp, sorry, I had intended to make that point. But I didn't go to Saudi Arabia and probably never will, though Jordan, Dubai, and the other Gulf states are all another story. I also want to go to Lebanon and Syria someday, without the Israeli stamp, thanks.

Ok, back to the report as I am close to finishing and I can do this today if I make some sacrifcies. I want to finish it before I burn out. Toda

-Sorry if offended

CDG/Paris

Bonjour tous.

I exit the customs and hug Monsieur Paris. Hey, long time no see. LOL

I hand him his goodby bag. Oh I have more for you!! We laugh.

It is wonderful to see him. Like a true gentleman he helps me with my bags. I am grateful that he could come and greet me. Last time, not to complain or anything, I was ladened with bags, carry on, and had bought him Aussie wine from Heathrow Duty Free, not knowing I would be doing several parades up and down stairs. I miss my Aerogare 1 !!

We go out to his car which I am not quite sure was parked legalment but hey I love the convenience. We load the bags into the car, actually, he loads the bags, appreciated. I like the service here.

I break out one of the last hotel confirmations. The Comfort Hotel. Mesnil Amelot, ou quelque chose comme ca. We drive away from Aerogare 2 and through the many passageways and underpasses that is CDG. I am loving it. Je suis en France and it feels wonderful.

I would have spent more time in Paris, but like Frankfurt, could NOT get a hotel.
I sweated out Priceline several times, rien. Last time I had the Courtyard which is actually a very nice hotel, beautiful lobby.

I went on every site, looking at 300 euros, like Frankfurt, drove me crazy. London hotels were coming in better and was hoping that Mr. AF would fly up, but hence he had to cherche l'appartement. Ou la la LOL.

I remember this area from the SAS Radisson. It is in the boondocks. Way to the East of the airprort, I think we are half way to Germany. smile. The Rad was ok, but the shuttle bus always stopped at some little dumpy hotel, with name changed, guess where I am going. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Finding the thing is not easy and we do the British roundabout in France thing.
Alas, there it is, Le Dump! He parks in front and we unload to a cart.

Oh and I had found this via Expedia. com like 60 something $$$ Americain. If it is worth that much, ok.

The lobby is decent and the check in staff are nice. He speaks to them in French, I do that Frenglish/Franglais thing, bad habbit I know. My French professors spanked me for it, I can assure you. One of the femmes behind the desk is gorgeous. Bonjour. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Easy check in, all pre-paid, no hassles, j'en aimes.

Le chariot(cart) like at Gatwick doesn't fit into the lift, so I had to take the bags in pieces. I leave the more expendable and grab my suitcase and carry on and up I go, figuring the other bags were fine. Beloved France, they were fine.

I grabbed my crap and ran it up. It is a college dorm room and now I understand the meaning of Water Closet, LOL.
Not meant for a fat man, to put it mildly. I fit ok, but would drive me crazy.

Big bed takes up the whole room. I throw things down but I can open the window, j'en aimes. ( I like it, love it)

P is now back from le parking and we take the rest up.

He and I are good friends but we could easily be long lost brothers. We have so much in common and we both collect everything and I mean everything from the airlines, hotels, whatever. I grab it, throw it into a bag, give it to him, we are good. Jon back home is similiar. I have a birthday suitcase from Jon, I still need to get into it. smile

Down at the car I took out everything for him and it is nice to have my black carry on, bertha, empty again.
He grabs a bag or 2 and brings it up and it is Christmas Day, I love it. He in turn gives me my goodies and they are less than usual, he apologizes, I say tres bien. I have too much stuff. Normally I will run to London/Paris for a long weekend mileage run, but in this case I have 2 weeks worth of stuff, so ca fait bien.

He likes what he sees. The American blanket from Business Class fell into my bag, golly gee. He likes it.
Unfortunately, I only have one BA blanket, from COACH, and it is nice, like that of a Business blanket, and I say, it is mine. LOL

I take some other goodies out of what has been my schoogi bag(German for chocos), I always have a schoogi bag, and throw them at him. Yes, at him, he can handle it.

The last time at the Courtyard he sat near my suitcase and we played a game. I threw chocolates and they had to go into the suitcase. He, the duly appointed gatekeeper, but finally a nice one!, lifts the top up just enough. I get a few in, some don't, but we both laugh ourselves to Heaven. Too much, love it!

This guy is great. Magazines, pretty much all the safeties heretofore, timetables, brochures, whatever. He loves the ELAL stuff. He makes fun of ELAL but the goodies are nonetheless fun to have. He works at the airport and ELAL is a pain to deal with to say the very least. I think any airport employee where LY flies in can attest to that. SECURITY!

I go through my goodies and there are some First/Business class amenity kits, I love these, new Air France pyjamas, a stack of magazines, PSA, Western, and more. Love it! I am also appointed courrier to bring a package for SFO Phil. he he he Yeah maybe you'll get it, kiddnig. It is all magazines in Chinese, but I am going to have a good look see before you get them in 2 weeks when we come up.

Oh and Antenne 2, France 2 if you prefer, has Friends on, en francais, but I know the dialogue. Their French voiceovers, ah, stick with le subtitles, s'il vous plait.

With that, it is Paris time. I am thirsty and I am starving. We get in l'auto and head for Paris. It is occassionally snowing, lightly. We go right thru CDG and see all the cool charters and what is now Terminal 3, vs. previously
T9. They call the terminals now, 'Terminal' but I stick with Aerogare, more French.

Out onto l'autoroute/freeway to Paris. We go for a bit with speed and then all of a sudden, bouchon/bottleneck. I still remember my professor describing a bottleneck to us via diagram.

There is a nice sunset. As we get closer to Paris, the traffic is awful, even though we waited for traffic to die down a bit. Gee, I am from LA, what do I know about it? he he he

It starts to snow. It starts to snow harder. I love it. The California dude gets to see live snow, probably the only time this year I will, which works for me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

We listen to French radio, not that I love French music. I must have several dozen French CD's and last time I was here in Paris I went to Virgin and went nuts. Cost me well over a $100 US. This time I passed.

You could see the Eiffel Tower flicker. It flickers on the hour. It is all lit up in beautiful Gold, with la lumiere, searchlight going around. It is incredible from the air. At the start of the hour it flickers for what, 5 or 10 minutes.
My heart sinks as I see this. I am in love. I am fascinated with this place.

I am like Meg Ryan in 'French Kiss' but I actually see the thing. She keeps missing it and then at the very end.
Wait til you go on it. My family can't get me down from there. It is Heaven.

We come into Paris and my French tourguide takes an earlier exit for the Champs Elysees due to le trafic. One f in French. What happened to circulation? That is what I had been taught in school.

First to the Champs, our special place, my special place! He told me he never goes there save when I come to town. Too much. I suppose I go places in LA only when tourists friends come to town, so fair.

We do the British roundabout at L'Arc de Triomphe. Oh my my. If you saw French Kiss and European Vacation you can relate. Americans have no business driving here, really, only the French, but the Italians could do well here as well. Cars dart in and out and it is scary. It is fun and exciting, yet scary. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I hold on to my seatbelt and several cars miss us by that much. He knows what he is doing. The French are crazy drivers, but they are very skilled and it shows. There should have been 1000s of accidents and in the US there would have been, sorry, but true, but the French know what they are doing. Again, keep the Yanks out of this place, thanks.

I love L'Arc de Triomphe, it is special. I thought it was everyday. When Brian and I came back from South Africa, P was in Uzbekistan, we came here and they did the ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was beautiful.
I had no idea it was done once, twice a year, so we got lucky. A part of my heart is in France, and more so in Paris.
Paris is Heaven in many ways.

Paris

Before stopping at les Champs, and I am hungry, very thirsty, etc., but I want this, we go to the Eiffel Tower. It is sparkling. He drives up to it, turns around, then back to it 3 times, saying this is special for you. smile

I am so spoiled. This time I am! Usually people just kick me in the but so this is good.

Paris, le Tour Eiffel, la Seine, it is Heaven. I mean what else can you call this place!? the first time we came here with my family and this same kid was our tourguide, we went up on the Eiffel Tower. I felt as if I was in Heaven.

We didn't go up. Didn't have the time.
Monsieur had to be back for work at CDG at 0500 hours in the matin/morning.

So to the Champs and faire du parking.

Underground and then you hike up several flights of stairs. Outside it is cold, it is wet, but I love the snow. In Ohio I would go for walks in the snow. Though after everything settles, then it gets icky and slippery.

He said how cold it was, I explained this is actually warmer than London, if you can believe it. I can't speak for Frankfurt, I never got outside of the airport, laugh.

Our restaurant where we always go is closed. I am like, ok, he was actually sad.
Again, he only comes here when I come.
Dude, if I lived here, I would be here every weekend.

Oh and the women are to die for. Last time he dropped me off and I did the Champs and Virgin tour alone. Ah, the women, need I say more. What we American men call eye candy. Sweet it is.

Ok, so there is a Pizzeria, ristorante Italiano, sound good? He suggests it.
I am in France, should I not have French food? but I go for it. I love Italian food, but in France? Kind of ironic as when I go to Montreal they have the most incredible Italian food, something Angelenos can only dream about, with portions that Americans would sue over. No more supersize!

Up les escaliers/stairs and we get a table on the spot, which is a coup by itself.

The place is packed and crowded, yet very clean, intimate, and fun. You don't have the space that we have at our restaurants but at the same time, you can eavesdrop on everyone's conversations.

I love the French. I love to hear French.
I love to watch them. Their women are probably the most beautiful in the world. Yes, Italian and Israeli oh and Brazilian(not a kiss up, honey!) are up there, too. Actually, Brazilian women are wonderful and babes, whether it be a kiss up or not. LOL

It is fun to watch French people. No flight crew in the world impresses me more than Air France. I stand there like an idiot and I stare. They are so well dressed, very composed, and very good looking.

I stood there one time at Mirabel/Montreal and stared at the AF flight crew as they headed for security. One guy actually looked back, smiled, and waved. Awesome.

I get my coveted Orangina. It tastes better here in France than at home, even than in Montreal. Bread and butter, I have plenty.
How many Oranginas I order, I don't know. To my delight, le monsieur, who is part Italian, orders San Pellegrino, so I win on both counts. May I have some prego? Perrier is better, fyi.

We both get veal, mine is Milanese. It is Heavenly. The pasta that comes with it is Heavenly. The mousse au chocolat is to die for. Dieu benit la France. (God bless France)

Normally we would do the walkabout and Virgin Megastore(it is HUGE) pilgrimage, but he needs to be up at 5am and it is already late.

I will be back. ah duh. I was just here in November.

Back to CDG and this time we fly back.

Autoroute is empty. Even though I leave tomorrow, I see Paris for the last time tonight, always an emotional thing for me.

When we leave Paris it is like I am leaving a wonderful party. They are playing and I have to go. Montreal is the same. I hate it!! Though we in LA do ok.

I am already tired and I can feel it, le jetlag. My body clock is so off now.

I also am grateful for his sacrifice.

I get one last look at the Eiffel Tower.


Back to CDG I ask if we can please drive around Aerogare 1, one of my fav. places in the world, kind of like Heathrow's Terminal 4 and Frankfurt Terminal 1.

He does one better and we park. He brings his backpack, uh oh, I know what this means. Airport Shopping.

He says hello to colleages, as this is where he works.

Every timetable on the counter, some not on the counter http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, fall into the bag. There were some loose other goodies dans le sac(into the bag).

We tour everything. I get Icelandair Business Class luggage labels, yeah.

It is wonderful.

The woman is at the Emirates desk and he doesn't want to bother her, so I do.
I ask her in French for a couple of timetables and she smiles and hands them over. SFO Phil, see what I do for you! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
He bought alot of dinners last time he was down here, so fair.

This was fun. I love this terminal and take one last look. They are going to remodel it. It needs a facelift badly, but I love it all the same.

I love that dingalingdong that goes off. So very French. Qatar Airways now boarding.

He shows me mercy and stops at a Total station for some drinks. Orangina which did me well at JFK and some waters. He even pays for them.

I never needed to exchange for one Euro.
I don't think I even used my bank or credit cards once while in France which was a good thing. I really pushed it.

BTW, when he comes here, his money is NO good and we have actually fought over a bill. I took he and another, who you will meet shortly, to my favorite Japanese restaurant near my university. The guy grabs the bill and pays it.

If you ever wanted to meet a wonderful Frenchman, here ya go.

He takes me to the hotel in the snow and it is all white now. A big hug and goodbye.

I am grateful that I didn't leave the window open as I would have had snow all over my bed.

I love the view of the snow falling past the old fashioned lanterns and it is just so beautiful. The planes in the yonder distance are all white covered in that pretty wintery stuff.

Some late night tv and some quick packing.

I am exhausted and so to bed.

Going home... CDG to LHR part 1

One thing I want to mention from the night before. It is always a sad thing when it is my last night in Europe, even though I have a full day ahead of me the next day. Thought I would share.

Ok, someone was supposed to call me about a possible breakfast, but never did, which is fine. I know he is busy.

I was too rushed. Had to pack everything and get ready. I was very happy to leave the college dorm. ick

Now it was sunny outside, but still biting cold and you could see the planes taking off in the distance. I watched LCI, a French news channel, pas de CNN and I needed to hear French anyway.

The strategy to the packing is this: I fly BA from the continent to London, then American to the States, usually taking the last flight of the evening to JFK. FYI, American will not check your bags through to LA, but BA will. I will tell you by this time they are so heavy, I am happy not to have to deal with them at JFK.

So I get things ready for a quick pull out at JFK after customs, everything goes home to Paradise, I mean California. Hey, it is HOME!

I am sad to leave Europe but yes, happy to be going home. It has been a long 2 weeks, or just about.

I make 2 trips downstairs, 2nd with cart. The elevator is taking forever and my fellow American (kid) is waiting. I point out the other elevator and that did the trick. Someone was blocking the first lift with their attempt to load bags. It was long, but width sucked.

I waved au revoir and dropped off the 70's style huge key, haven't seen that in a long time, so new keycard to add to my collection.

The bus was there and monsieur grouch was the driver. Oh my. He stood there while I loaded the bags on myself, which is fine. But to be so grouchy.

Everyone on the bus was American and they were happy to be going home.

We pulled out and headed back via le roundabout to CDG 2. I hear they are flying Northwest. Ah, NW flies out of Terminal 1, this bus is going to 2. Did you check?

They go, uh oh. Are you sure NW flies out of T1? yep, was there last night, saw the NW/KL counter. They start to freak. I ask the driver, le grouch, oh my, in French if we go to T1. Non! but when he sees that half the bus is flying NW out of T1, he agrees to take them. What a pain he is! No tip for him either, which worked out very well. No Euros and the US $$$ were needed in the US.

I think one other gets off at 2B, BA.

They are from Detroit, I explain that I have lived in Toledo. We both take shots at each others' respective cities. too funny. I love Toledo and I take offence to any Toledo bashing, seriously. It is another home for me. GO MUDHENS!

They say thank you and I wish my fellow Americans a wonderful trip, even if on Northwest, LOL. ha ha ha

2B or not 2B, ca c'est la question. The snag with 2B, trying something in the old days when terrorists were shooting things up at Roma and Wien, they put the check in past passport control. Good and bad. I don't have that much time to play so not much of an issue, but I have to clear le controle des passeports, check in, and then would have to come back. Oh well I will be back. Oh I miss BA at Terminal 1 !!!

Passport check was easy,stamp, Vivre la France as I go through. I laugh hysterically when I get to the BA counter and I recognize the good looking gentleman behind the counter.
We shake hands. As he is from the Middle East I reluctantly say I have been to Israel, he forgives me, thank you. I even show him my stamp, which would now bar me from entering his country. I won't say to protect anonymity.

He takes the bags, checks them to LA, love it!! bye bye

I ask for an exit row seat. "You don't think I am going to let you sit in coach, do you?"
I love you! Le upgrade, finally, is there. Actually BA used to be much better about upgrades and the agents out of Paris have upgraded me and I grabbed my mom from coach, with the blessing of a lovely crew. Out of London, forget it. too strict.

We talk forever. Duty Free and lounge go to the wayside, which is fine. I love this guy.
He demands that I come to the (airliners hobby) show in San Francisco at the end of March, the last one they will ever have. I tell him I will try and I am thinking about it. (also, cough, someone I want to meet up that way, a fellow traveleress, cough) Hopefully you know who you are. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

This guy was with us at the Japanese restaurant with Mr. Paris and the 3 of us jogged on the beach together here in Malibu, he remembers well. They would look at Southwest planes coming in and say yeah, sorry, I say puke.

He praises the new Untied color scheme which I can see through the windows. ahhhhhhhhh
I like the older one. And I hate 'Ted.' stupid name. He loves Untied, I love the Silver bird.
We praise our airlines.

We talk and fortunately the Business line is empty.

I was going to go take a look, actually quite a bit airside and was going to go manhunt for some Swiss chocolates, but he drags me back and says let me walk you to the gate.

The gate is right behind me, a short walk, BUT, a huge snaky line for security awaits and after I have cursed everyone for cutting in front of me for 2 weeks, but with his blessing, he brings me to the front, ok, that felt good. The Britts were pissed and get after him and he looks at them and says, I am working your flight. He speaks fluent English, love the guy.
Some other guy jumps out of line and joins us and he is duly chastized, but he gets a free ride.

1 or 2 security machines and this will take all day. Too crowded, too much.
Back to T1 s'il vous plait!!

He takes me to the gate and plays with the computer. He also wrote in my PNR, passenger record, to AA to upgrade me. Didn't happen, but I was happy, as you will see. I also asked why they keep parking the BA planes at the remote stands and he tells me quietly it is AF (F'n) BA. Gee, I can believe it. An Air Algerie Airbus is next to us. The French always seem to put BA near Air Algerie. Air Algeria is a security threat in France, its former colonial master.
Everytime BA escapes from them, they seem to follow. ouch Not that Air France would have anything to do with that. No love lost between these 2 'cousins.' I say pro British things in front of Mr. Paris and I get a lecture on how terrible the British are. In fact when I came out of customs he gave me another one, though he duly ate his Bounty(Brit) chocolates all the same. LOL Too much!

A cute femme flirts with him and praises him. When he gives me his updated #, e-mail, I still need to write him!, the chicka is jealous and wants it, too. (ah, he drives on the other side of the road, leave it at that, honey, and I am sure she knows that) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

I commit to SFO (maybe, the fares are so expensive but I would love to go and make a weekend out of it, if even to kick SFO Phil around for a bit http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ).

They call the flight, tears my BP, I give him a big hug. Oh and I told la femme I would be happy to take her # but she said I live too far away, well, true. Amazingly she reminds me of someone from church, who got married. The resemblance is incredible. (sorry, can't think of her name. )

We finally get a jetway and it is a 757, cool. They do another passport check, now that I have put it away, France likes that for some reason, I just showed it 2 seconds ago, but I have finally been upgraded, the Platinum I am!. Boarding to the front of the plane and the BA crew is very warm and hospitable. I am deciding do I keep this seat or move for a better take off position? Right side is usually best for Londinium.

A woman comes over and dares sit next to me, oh no, I tell her I might move to get more space. First, I ask her if speaks English and OF COURSE I DO, WHY WOULD YOU ASK THAT? bite . Then she apologizes. Honey, this is France, fewer than should- speak English, but that is another story. She settles in. Great, someone is invading my space.

Well, we start talking and she is cool. Kind of like my seatmate to Tel Aviv. She lives in Paris with her husband, but is from the burbs of Portland. I explain I was there last summer, met a girl from the sticks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif he he he near Spokane. Told her it was one of my best trips ever, something as simple as Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver. She smiled. Yes, the girl helped as well. I still have keychains for you, dear.

The plane is delayed and people keep boarding, I am sure thanks to the security lines.

She is getting worried as she has one hour at LHR to change to Seattle. They make an announcement, we are delayed, blah blah, I could care less, take all day, I have over 6 hours at Heathrow, but for her, I care.

We start yacking, compare travel stories, and the woman is fascinating. She asked how she can find good Business Class fares to the US as she had to book last minute for a funeral. I pull out the UK edition of Business Traveller and show her a list of agents. I also tore out the subscription page and gave it to her. Then I introduced her to the flying Bible, said with respect, the OAG. In this case, the OAG -Official Airline Guide Euro addition.
I sub. to both the Euro and US editions. Merry Christmas to me and thanks mom and dad.
Hopefully they know it. LOL She usually flies Business as coach is not good for her leg, but I mention AA, check it out.

Finally, ding dong and push back. She may make it. They tried to do a recorded announcement in French and the thing breaks. Ok. They tried atleast. You fly to Paris all the time and you don't know some rudimentary French!? Even a bonjour. Nothing.
Too British! If Air France flew to London and they spoke no English we would be outraged. You can fly Air France to the smallest city in France and you get a full announcements and safety demo in English. But the French get us in other ways. That is for another time.

&lt;&lt;As for ELAL, some love it, some hate it. &lt;&lt;

Service is top notch. I have made at least 50 trips with them and never had a problem.

CDG to LHR

In this case the left side was perfect, not always. We departed 2B, got a flirt with the Air Algerie Airbus, then out to the taxi way past le Sofitel, very good views from the hotel but lately it has been so expensive. My belated Christmas gift was passing Terminal 1. Ok, I think I worship the thing. I salivate at the Air Gabon 747 going to Africa, in case you didn't know. P took me on the Cameroon Air 747-300 one night which was fascinating.

I still need to get on the Air Gabon and play. They had the Untied 777in the new colors- puke, Saudi 777, Northwest's old DC-10, SASafrass, and who else? some good ones. We turn right and now I see where he is going. This is going to be fun. My beloved seatmate cuts me a break in our talking, which was fascinating by the way, and let's me look. You can see the Aerogare 2 entourage thru the trees. Oh what a mess. Tear the whole freaking thing down and start over.

We turn around, rev the engines, we recite the French national anthem, that some sarcastic soul on here refers to 'la mayonnaise', which is funny, and we go. Au revoir la belle France, mais a bientot(soon).

We go right past the big monster known as T1, some cool planes, the new radar unit they have spinning around, lift up and off the ground, over the AF cargo bases and some more special planes.

Sidenote, last trip, when we landed here on CSA from Prague in November, and yes, I may do a trip report for that, later, an Air Mauritania 727 took off. Salivate, thank you.

We fly over the banlieues of Paris, actually getting somewhat of a decent view of Paris, from the North, we had to fly over Versailles, where my neighbor lives. Over villages and some French countryside. Before long we are over the English Channel, but what the French refer to as La Manche, the sleeve. They would never give the British so much credit. Oh the rivalry is too fun. You ought to see between English Canada and Quebec, I think it is actually worse. Same God people. Makes us brothers and sisters.

We talk more, she is very interesting. I tell her about my trip.

BA comes around with a decent meal, vs. the garbage in coach. It was some kind of a salad, I seldom care for salad outside of the US and Canada, so I leave most of it.
They have a delicious what I will assume is prosciuto. yummmmmmm It is the only real food I get for a long time.

I asked for another bread roll and I get one going toward final. The usual Malvern English sparkling water, love this stuff.

The crews are friendly and sweet. But most are kind in coach or Business, just that now they have more time to take care of you. You would never get this much food on a 45 minute flight in the US, not now. Back when Air Canada and Canadiennnne competed with each other, they both would serve an incredible hot meal on the one hour flight between Toronta and Mount Real. I don't know how they did it. Us Yanks, sadly, can't do it.

Over Blighty's coastline and down we go. Some clouds but beautiful scenery with lot's of nice green fields.

When I got into the war movies, and you can thank the American sitcom from way back, Hogan's Heroes for it, this stuff made me emotional. Thinking of the pilots who visited that country where they serve sauerkraut http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and then came home successfully. Hogan gets to come to England a couple of times and I do think about that here.

A couple of the pilots into London would actually mention Biggin Hill, an airfield used during the war, it was as if they were inspired or something. I loved the WW2 mentions.

We are over London, not the same view from the left hand side, but good as well. I think it is Wembley to my left and the flats, the red double decker buses, etc. It is nice now but a very sombering view when I have been away from the motherland for a while.

Flaps, descend, ok this is cool. He flies past the BA hangars, I wave to my South African planes below, touch down, and we go past T1 and then to T3. Preparing for tonight's depature we go past T3 and my beloved Silver Birds(AA) who will take me home to the Colonies.

Over to T4 and it was an incredible view all the same.

I wish my seatmate my very best and tell her to run. I am pretty sure she made it. I did give her backups with BA having a later flight into LA. She is going to Portland, not Seattle, oh and she cursed the Seattle customs people, have never done that entry point before(always pre-clear at Vancouver).

I grab some BA souvenirs, the last after 6 segments. I wish the crew a warm cheers.

Now I stay tranist. I played with going landside. The onboxious passport officer coming in a few days ago put me off that but I did take a landing card just in case. I wanted to test out the airside transfer system which I have only done once. T3 from AA to T4 BA to Amsterdam. Too tired to go play on that one.

I was amazed as to the wait while on the bus, which was parked and waiting for us, to the Flight Connections Centre. They had a separate bus to T3, but please, I have over 6 hours to kill.

We make our way past the Kenya 767 and down to the underground tunnel. Up and out near T2 and over to the FCC. Swiss, Lufthansa, bonjour Air France, and some other nicknacks. Oh, Pulkovo TU-154 from Sankt Petersburg.
Nice to look at.

Upstairs to the security area and the lines/queues are long, but doable. Strip everything down and what I do like they don't ask for your dang boarding pass. I think that is the only time in England they don't LOL. My fellow Americans are taking their shoes off and the English security people laughingly ask why? Cause Tom Ridge told us to, sir! LOL

Do the walk through the FCC and over to T1. For those who don't know, while I bash Heathrow ad nauseum, I also love it, too, I will give LHR alot of credit with the FCC. The Flight Connections Centre is a middle area where buses take you from all parts of the airport to one general processing area. Unlike most of Europe, save France, they make you clear security again and then you go to the counters for your boarding passes, etc. and then go on to your gate. You can walk to 1 and 2. Have to bus to 3 and 4 and both 3 and 4 have their own inhouse transfers areas, all very convenient and I will give the British a huge kudos on this one. They also have a direct link to the domestic flights with a passport check. Brilliant! Actually restores some of my pride in being a descended half Britt after the Hoppa and all that rubbish.

HOWEVER http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, you saw it coming, to make everyone clear security again is a pain in the arse and a waste of time and resources and I know for a fact that people have missed planes because of it. In fact a woman was complaining that she did miss her plane right then and there. ouch To Paris, you will live, to Africa, it bites, where planes go 2/3 days a week.

In the Amazing Race, one of Brian's addictions, it is on at the same time as Friends so forget it,
they had a loup from Brazil to Heathrow to South Africa. The 2 older ladies went right to the Virgin gate for their Jo'burg flight but had not cleared security at LHR. They did in Brazil and hadn't blown anything up in 12 hours.
gee.

Due to the rule loving nature of the Britts, the 2 ladies missed their flight to South Africa and it took them out of the race completely. They flew the next day and were walked to the stopping point in Stellenbosch. Everyone felt bad and British bureaucracy took a huge hit for that. It got all over. I suppose it kind of made the ladies heroes in a way, they tried so hard. I would curse the gate agent for eternity for something stupid like that. I believe in karma, he will get his.

They could have held the plane, manually wanded them or something, gee guys, they just came off a plane. Had they gone through Frankfurt, Amsterdam, etc, they would have made it. Why I do praise Germanic efficiency, something my fellow Jews will get after me, sorry, hey, Germany works. Frankfurt is one of the best examples of how an airport should be run, same with Zurich.

I understand from certain countries, like Iran http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, it might be needed. It is also insulting to other countries' security practices to rescreen. I would think they would work with all of Western Europe. The French do it too at CDG and flights were being delayed and people were missing flights because of it. Unlike the British, the French finally said scew it and waved the transfer checks, which made it doable. Anyway, there ya go.

I looked for goodies at the FCC and found nothing. AA does have a transfer desk there but decided have fun at
T3.

Over to Terminal 1.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bretteee:
&lt;&lt;As for ELAL, some love it, some hate it. &lt;&lt;

Service is top notch. I have made at least 50 trips with them and never had a problem.

</font>

My dear Genevoise, that is great, but you are about the only one.

My dad has Israeli clients, I know someone who works at the Israeli consulate here in LA. If they fly ELAL, it is for security and to support Israel.

I knew an ELAL crewmember, he told me the nasty things he would to pax, not now, maybe later I will share.

They are nasty. Customer service means nothing.

A woman wrote in the Jerusalem Report magazine, English. She blasted ELAL, they have no legroom, they forgot the special meal, they did this, and they did that, why do we fly them? becuase they are Israeli.
I laughed so hard.

Why do you think my BA planes were so full?
I was shocked. Die hard religous Jews who I am sure wanted LY security. They also wanted service.

Ok, I am getting to the end, let me concentrate so I can finish and get my life back, toda rabah.

Heathrow 1

Ok people, we are almost there. I have got to finish this today or I will burn out. Sorry.
Plus I have someone beating me up over ELAL on the flyertalk board. They are a great person but please let me finish this! ugh
_________

Over to the BA lounge, I know their rules, but I try to get in anyway. With Oneworld, if you are flying a Oneworld
carrier, it is an alliance between many airlines, internationally, you have lounge access. All the other airlines, save BA, follow that rule, though in all fairness BA in HKG let me come over and visit when flying Cathay.

BA in England goes by another set of rules, their own, and they are nasty. I am flying American from
Terminal 3 to the States, I am in Terminal 1 now. With any other Oneworld carrier, no problem, but BA has to be
tight about it, though I have another word for it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I show my card, thank you, may I see your boarding pass, please? Oh I say, you are flying from Terminal 3.
American has its own lounge over there and you need to go there. Ok I BS a little. But I am meeting a friend here who is flying to Brussels. Hence, he would be here at Terminal 1, if such a friend existed. The twist is that if we both had gone to the American lounge, they would let us in, as AA has done, even when I flew British Midland. Why I am an
American!!! The cultural difference and all. too much I had an American guy at the AA lounge when I was flying BMI. I showed my card and my BM boarding pass. Oh come on in! Love it!

She hassles me, I argue a bit, more out of principle, she misinterprets the rules, to be honest( I wanted to slap her, I really really did!), I grab my boarding pass and card and back out before I do something I will regret. She is an (itch)

BA does this all the time and on flyertalk we gripe about it. It is not so much the lounge, I have other lounges to go to, and I do, but it is the principle. BA is the worst out of this great alliance as to lounges and rules. I find it ironic that they are so generous on check in and luggage, but tight with the stupid lounge. Stuff it. I will come back next time, fly out of here to FRA or wherever, and just take everything. Gotta love it! gotta love it!

I am mad but I cool down. It is a British thing.

I go to Terminal 2 and walk around, grab a Duty Free bag for Airport Shopping http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and look at all the shops, been here, done that. With my coveted Priority Pass card, God bless it, I have access to the generic Servisair lounge. The attendants are a mix, sometimes very sweet,and sometimes, they need to go back to bed for some more rest. But they will never turn you away, thank goodness. This one was very sweet and welcomed me in, but of course, comme tous les anglais, she had to see my boarding pass. Often at other lounges around the world they don't need to see your BP, you technically don't need to fly to use the lounges, but as it happens MOST are airside, Orly has a nice one landside. The English are the exception and want the BP. Ok............. It is the principle of it, moving on.

I have a few waters and a few biscuits. Check up on the Financial Times,a paper I love. Every geeky Business majors' dream paper, LOL.

There was a Swiss magazine, took that, otherwise, not much else. Wished her my best and dragged my crap out to the next watering hole.

Then the Iberia lounge. This is where the Britts get nailed to the wall. BA says no. Iberia is the Spanish airline, also a member of the Oneworld alliance. She doesn't see me and I walk in, could have stayed very easily. People come and go, so understandable. At the Northwest lounges at Detroit I would go up to the counter and put my card in their face, nicely of course. Hey, I paid alot of money for these, let me use it right.

I am honest and go to the Iberia attendant. She is sweet. She does ask for the BP, after showing my card, but doesn't make a fuss as her British cousins over at 1 do. UGH I was admitted and warmly so.

Paul would go nuts here. Iberia coffee cups, saucers, little cups, everything. No, I didn't take them, you come and do that. I have no problem taking the food or drink, I am entitled to that, beyond that, you need to do it buddy.
You would go nuts here. So would Mr. Paris.

They had some good bottled water and nuts, almonds, and other nicknacks. Their peanuts are really good.

I did take some Iberia napkins and swizzle sticks, again, for the taking. 2 magazines and a couple of timetables, ok, they are getting heavy. You have a great view of the planes and I saw the Pulkovo Russian machine take off, that was nice.

Ok, time to head to 3. I thanked her dearly. Kind of cute.

I stopped by the Lufthansa lounge but without a Star B/P, wasn't going to happen. I wanted to get to 3 anyway.

Back to terminal 1 and I walked around the stores, Duty Free, and all. Places was packed. They had some stupid demonstration for a British cell phone company but it takes up so much needed space for seating and passenger comfort. It is a good terminal. I will give the Britts credit, they have nice terminals, large, spacious, and relatively comfortable. Just don't try to break the rules, they are not into that. (they probably, sadly, forfit many, many contracts and other negotations around the world, but I do admire their integrity) Why the French have actually done better than the Britts, they were very much into Iraq.

I had to go down the ramp to the airside, an area I know well. I don't even bother hassling with the BMI lounge. I could actually see Lufthansa giving it to me, she was not Brit, but BMI drives me crazy with the rules, even more so than BA.

Ok, back to the FCC, back to security, back to the strip down. Hey, I knew I would have to do this.

Down to the coaches(what we call buses) to Terminal 3. It is freezing! coat back on.

We had a nice tour of the ramp and went past the Olympic A340, nice. Some other goodies as well.

Back to my old haunt of Terminal 3 and up we go. It is time to go home.

Heathrow part 2

I enter the airside of Terminal 3 and make my way to the American Airlines counter.
She is nice. I swiped the BA boarding card given from Paris. She asks me the basic security questions, checks the passport, and then gives me an AA card. Done.

Did the upgrade request work? No, that is fine. I will often take 2 seats to myself in coach
than to have to share in Business. However, and it is rare these days, but if you get 2 in Business to yourself, it is Heaven.

I go to one of the shops and ask the kind gentleman for a bag as I need to separate things.
He is nice and I sort things out. I thought he was being sarcastic when he asked do I have everything in order? like get out of my store, you are bugging me. He actually meant it and I was impressed. He said how a woman flying Egyptair lost her boarding pass airside, they have no facilities airside, ??? huh???, and so she missed her flight. wow Made ya think, although AA has a very strong presence airside. He was just so kind. shoukran

I head out to the Admirals Club to get rid of my junk. They have a nice storage facility.

The girls are friendly and welcome me. I think, finally, I don't have to show my card anymore, but then she asks for my passport. You got me, too much.

I have a quick needed Malvern(sparkling water) and then back to security and then to the shops. Yes, he wants to see my boarding pass and I don't fight him. It makes no sense becuase you could be an in house transfer passenger and you wouldn't have a BP. If your ticket is electronic, no ticket. Whatever. Hey, if that is how you get your jollies.

By the way, I have never seen at any other transfer point airside in the world where they have asked for a boarding pass. Going to airside, sure. It guess it is another way to nitpick people. However ya get your jollies, mate. It might just be a power trip thing, like our TSA.

Where do I start? First, I do a walkabout the shops and area. I look at the chocolates(in the main Duty Free). nah

I go to the entry area. In November we had a long queue, now there was no queue to get in, figures.

I go to Harrods and buy mum, my fellow Anglophile back home, a Harrods bag with teddy bears on it, a coin purse, and a pen. Plus asked for a couple of sample bags which they always give. This is my favorite Harrods store at all of LHR and the staff are just great. Also had London newspapers for her. She loved it all.

I also buy a couple of chicken sandwhiches for the flight home. I am hungry.
When they would have chicken tikka, they were to die for. As I later find out, these aren't so great, oh well.

My last and final purchase in Europe is at the wonderful chocolate box. I bought some more Bendicks English chocolate mints, one of my feelings of Heaven. The staff are great and one more swipe of the BAA points card til it goes back to its resting place at home til next time. The staff don't hassle me for a boarding card, thank you, just the AA flight #, long memorized. With that, we are done, and exit.

I go down for a walk to my left, where SASafrass usually leaves from. I haven't been down here for a long time and last time I was here, a security agent chased Brian and I back to the lounge. He was a yutz.

They have now divided the already small hallway into out for departures, in for arrivals, with an ugly fence type of thing in the middle, kind of like in Israel. It is ugly and it stinks.

I go to visit the Singapore lounge to have one more shot at using the United Premier Exec card which has been so underused and expires today. She noted that it is gone today, but sorry, have to fly Star. Oh well. Nice lounge. With that I am done here. Go to the new Servisair lounge, now what the old BA lounge used to be. It is a good lounge, very comfy, and snacks are exactly the same as T2. Woman is ok, not too firiendly, but she doesn't bite my head off, so we are ok. I did grab a paper and some water and a biscuit. View is pretty good. Standard planes from here: SAS, Pakistan, Korean, and one other!?

I walk past the Japan lounge and say, what the heck. I walk in to get a magazine but the lounge attendant was busy. So I walk in. I figure someone will stop me. No one does. I am also the only Anglo in the entire lounge, save the one woman cleaneruper.

I get the stares. Too funny. They have Perrier so I grab a Perrier, but the magazine is what I want. They had those and some other brochure. Food was average, probably the Business Class side. The Warden was keeping a closer eye on the First side, which I am sure was much nicer.

I did snag a Perrier and some napkins then made my exit. I did think of the movie Lost in Translation-Bill Murray. I could understand more from that movie by these 5 or so minutes.

I didn't look at the warden making my exit out.

Down to AA. Now you have another guy checking for a BP. I became sarcastic with him, ok, a new guy, get to show it again, he smiled. We actually laughed. The idea that the Britts pay someone to sit there and look at your BP going to the lounges, same with the other side, scary! really, really scary! Not joking.

I sat down and relaxed at the AA lounge. Cheese, crackers, waters, some nuts, read the USA Today. Qatar (Air)bus right outside our window. Some AA's, funny enough the ELAL was parked at the end for Shabbat(Saturday), and a few other goodies. AC, etc.

I was ready to head out early and what comes on the tely, CNN Inside Africa, ok, I am staying. I laugh. I watch this programme at home, 0930 am on Saturday, I go out of my way to see it. The only time I ever hear about Africa, a place that fascinates me to no end.
Hmmm Someone was even questioning me about that Monday night at singles. ok...

It is 1730 in the evening and the plane leave at 1830, so I am pushing it. I get to watch it, pics of Africa and all, then my exit. The carry ons filled with all kinds of junk are HEAVY.
Fortunately, AA shows me some mercy and our 777 to Kennedy is not at the last gate, as it usually is. You enter the gatehold area and they process your boarding pass. They have a special ticketing area to the side.

If you get profiled, SSSS, on your BP, you go to another area and they give you a free strip search, but after Israel, honey, it ain't nothing. Thank Heavens for that! I do like the setup out of Heathrow. One reason I fly out of here, plus the 777s all leave from here, more on that later. Out of beloved Franfkurt everyone gets that overly personal wand down. Pass. I don't care much for Terminal 2A at CDG where AA leaves from. So boring.

I throw my junk on a chair and sort things out. This is for the flight, this is to go in my luggage when I get to JFK. I hope to ditch a few things on the flight as these bags are heavy.

Home we go!!

AA 777 LHR TO JFK part 1

Whilst we are in England, the AA gatehold area really is like a taste of America. I have left from here on many Pan Am, TWA., some United, and now AA planes. It is kind of a sweet taste of home, if you will.

The smiling flight attendant takes my pass and we go.

Down the white jetway, and cold, I board this American Embassy. Crews are friendly and smiling and it is good to be home. Why I have to be elite with a US airline. Paul wants me to defect to Air France and become a Red. I need a US airline out of Europe, sorry, and I don't like Delta, sorry Brian. Foreign airlines out of the US are fine, but coming home, I need Yank. It just feels so good to be on something American, oh my gosh.

They direct me to my seat. The sweetest girl up front says wow, you have bought things for everyone at home. Not quite, dear. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif She catches me in the end. Cute, too.

I walk though Business Class, grwl, but my friend tried. If it is full then not that good.

Into coach and to the very back. I had asked for 2 seats to myself and they only had that blessing at the very end of the row, right side, I will take it. This stays here, this goes up. Separated inflight from non-inflight items.

Bing bong, bing bong. I love it. Business Traveller, took a break from the Israelis(book), sorry, Financial Times, and my schoogi bag, with sandwhiches.

We had a lovely(NOT!) crew from Queens yapping away. She was giving everyone a hard time, such a distant opposite from that sweet thing up front. Ugh

I ate my sandwhich and then left its remains in the galley, no trash bag. Queens was over not 2 seconds later yapping at me for leaving the container on a sterile food area. Ok, sorry, I felt bad, but everyone felt sorry for me and they all looked on.

Fortunately, the dear thing worked the other side, thank Heavens, and so I had no further contact with her.

Most of the crews were quite cool. One or 2 ignoramuses. The blessing of the NY flight, especially the evening flights, is that, with respect please, the 'dinosaurs' http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif as some on here prefer to call them, not that I ever would! like to work the longhaul flights, more hours, etc. Hence on the nonstops to LA, which leave way too early anyway, you get some nasty somethings. I have had some adorable young ones fly this route and back when they had SOS cards, a way of saying thank you to crew, I gave a stack to one female crew and she was in Heaven. Her colleagues were jealous, hey dude, you gotta earn it, she did.

More pax came on board and started filing to the back. The guy comes and sits in front of me, then moves to the center, taking the 5 seats. Great idea, but I want the window, I love being able to look out the window, but also to be able to get up when I want. And with AA's fantastic legroom, it really makes coach quite doable, barely, but doable.
BA's cabin drove me crazy and I couldn't do it on this longer flight.

Then a friend of his comes and sits in front of me. Oh please don't put that seat back, he never does. Bless you! I do, because I have a wall behind me. I feel bad putting my seat in others' faces.

I can't tell if they are Portuguese? or Brasilero? I did enjoy hearing them yack in Portugese, but then they went into fluent English. As they were going to Costa Rica, I am guessing do Portugal.

More boarding, prep for taxi. They came around with newspapers, I grabbed something.

Push back and taxi out. There was a weird airplane next to us with a symbol of the Pakistani flag, not PIA, want to know who it was. I saw it taxi out from the Le Meridien. It looks like a big smile, kind of cool.

We taxi out past T3, the late night Air Canada, the ELAL, the whatever. Radar spins around. They do the AA safety video. I think German followed English, so I had to watch it. I love the German video, he has a good strong voice.

Past the BAs and Aer Lingus. Actually looked at flying through Dublin on this one, maybe next time. (LHR to DUB to CDG, then would have had Terminal 1 at CDG, plus, love Dublin)

Past beloved South African, I blew the mates a kiss, and then out to our taxi. A short wait, turnaround, here we go.
Goodbye UK, Europe, and all, I am going home!

Rolling. Pass all the hotels. I am always amused to see the Rennaissance. Can you really see someone standing there at the window? uh of if yes, LOL.

Lift off, over the Motorway-orbital, saw the Marriott in Slough where we stayed years ago. I remember standing there at the window and watching a Cathay 744 fly overhead. Going for a walk from the hotel to so dome laundry I was coming back and the Concorde soard right over. It was awesome. Like a freaking rocket.

Out over some lights and to the Northwest. Headed toward Birmingham, Marcus territory. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Someday we'll meet.

They usually keep a Southerly route, over to South Wales, how we came in, this time we are heading North.

Near Birmingham(don't remember how close we were, it goes fast), out over the coastline, Irish sea. I always think of the theme song from the Titanic by Celine Dion. It sounds so Irish. It always goes through my head when I get anywhere near Eire.

We flew a ways south of Dublin, a big city with lot's of lights. My Conrad(nice hotel) and Irish chocolates are down there, oh well, next time. Believe we were north of Cork and out to the West, area of Kilarney/Shannon, one of the most beautiful places in the world. By the way, the Irish are some of the dearest souls on earth, they compete with the Aussies, 2 of my favs.

Which one is friendlier I don't know? From there we begin our transatlantic crossing with all dark till Newfoundland.

I do my WC break, give a sneer at Queens, ugh, and then back to my seat and turn on the inflight video.
With 2 seats to myself I can have the airshow/map on one tv screen and the inflight tv on the other.

Ah, King of Queens, one of the few shows on CBS that I like, so I watch. Time for some mints.

&gt;&gt;My dear Genevoise, that is great, but you are about the only one. &gt;&gt;

Certainly not in Geneva. Everyone flys LY to Israel. Mind u they are the only ones who fly nonstop from here. All my relatives in Israel fly LY, and those who used to fly foreign carriers, switched back to El Al.They have greatly improved the service.

&gt;&gt;I knew an ELAL crewmember, he told me the nasty things he would to pax&gt;&gt;

I never experienced a run in with a crew member. Only once from New York to London many years ago with my mother as a kid when we were diverted to Manchester. They are not as friendly as on SWISS but they are very polite.Don't forget they have the easy going Middle East mentality.

&gt;&gt; Customer service means nothing. &gt;&gt;

You are confusing the 1950's and 60's. Great improvement.

&lt;&lt;A woman wrote in the Jerusalem Report magazine, English. She blasted ELAL, they have no legroom&lt;&lt;

32" aint bad. Better than most.

&gt;&gt;Why do you think my BA planes were so full?&gt;&gt;

Reasons BA are full is i) El Al is full so some traffic overflows to BA; ii) giant BA can offer lower fares and iii) same airline connections throughout the world. LY carries about 45% of Israeli traffic and it increased by 3% this year. Same reasons LH, BA, KL and LX get traffic. TAROM Romanian used to be full because they offered the lowest fares to the USA but they just stopped flying there. Now many are flying on Turkish to the USA due to cut rate fares.

Before you criticise LY, I suggest you fly them first.

Ok, thank you. Can we do this at the ELAL board? toda, please

LHR to JFK AA 777 part 2

Did the usual video thing. They have the rounds of CBS programming. Not much on the BBC channel, sadly.

First, drink service, then a top off service of drinks. Fairly professional and the male crew member who served me, from Latin America, was very nice. He would give me empty cups of ice for my Malverns/Perriers and an orange juice with ice.

Then dinner. Again, I like AA's dinners. This was the first real food I had all day. No, I don't count the chicken sandwhich and it was icky.

Choice was chicken or salmon, I took the chicken, but tough choice. Standard small AA salad, roll, butter, but finally, a chocolate dessert. Kind of like a little cake with some pudding, but all chocolate. Finally! I usually have to BYOB/C http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

I liked the dessert so much that I asked him for an extra one, he brought me 2. Oh if I had those SOS coupons, thank you.

Dinner clean up, another round of drinks, plus consumed my goodies.

Worked on the Business Traveller and the Financial Times.

We are coming over to Newfoundland, and now back in the Americas. Not many lights here below, then further down over Prince Edward Island tons of lights, and then over Moncton in New Brunswick, a good design. Oh Canada!

Into Maine and more lights, as we go down the coast. The flight was more lively than the other flights. I usually take the 8pm to NY, but it doesn't go on Saturday, so took the 1830, and was grateful I did, I don't mind getting into NY earlier. People were up and talking, moving about, kind of like a party. Lot's of Portugese. Guess I may have to learn
Portugese. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif They served us a little pizza. It was ok.

Down the East Coast and we had the best view of Boston, better than I have ever seen. You could see Logan Airport and the entire Boston area layout, been awhile for me. I had considered flying back via Boston, an option, but before I had left they had some nasty weather which made me a bit concerned. It would be something different.

Down the coast to RI, hi Denise http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, Conn, and out to Long Island. We flew down Long Island, could see Manhattan in the distance, with a few planes heading northbound. I am coming in earlier than usual so now there is more activity.

They did the announcements for arrival, final WC visit, filled out the US customs card, and sorted everything out as I had to quickly put things into my bags and take things out, like toiletries, between customs and the TSA. Again, this was a bit easier as it was earlier.

They forgot to put out the cart of drinks in the back, he gave some excuse. I mostly would have appreciated the ice. They also forgot to show the JFK arrival video, might be good for first timers to AA at JFK.

Flaps, dentist's drill, descend. There was a cool white light dangling over Manhattan, I will call it a UFO, call it whatever you want, it was big.

In November when we came in the lights of Long Island flickered, it was great, but not windy so not as much this time.

Flew over a small airport, guessing Islip/Long Island, my bro has been there, not me,
some mini malls, ah, we are in America http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and touch down at JFK, landing parallel to the cargo areas, reverse and slow.

Taxi to the terminal. I can see the welcome to the USA sign at the IAB tower.

Love it! We wait for a minute and then make final shutdown. I get to turn my cell phones on, or so I think.

I get out the one cell, the right cell,and set it up for the Best Western, a Hotwire special.
Have the info available.

I wave goodbye and the cute, friendly attendant up front catches me grabbing a Business Class amenity kit and a menu, yes, already collecting things for the guy in Paris. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
She says ah, that is what you have, we both laugh, and wish her my best.

Oh and I grabbed the aircraft reg. # from the rear wall.

Into the jetway and down the long, winding, annoying corridors leading to customs. The place is old, dirity, and down, but they are building a wonderful new terminal. Oh I can't wait til it is finished. I read the Finnair signs in Finnish, Tervetuloa, means Welcome.

Even with leaving things behind, my bags are heavy and they are numbing my fingers. I could use a cart. Up an escalator, down an escalator, then into the customs hall.

No pics or fingerprinting for us. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Probably not for many else as most are UK/EU citizens.

Not too long of a wait. I like the guy to my right and I go for him. My hunch is right, he is cool. I have to reach in and get my pasport and landing card. " I would think you would be ready for me and have everything out, wanting to get out of here as fast as you can. "
I laugh. He swipes the passport into the computer, I am cleared, stamps the passport, stamps the US card, I am ok for customs. No secondary check and I rejoice. If they stamp it and he signs it, means, usually, you are good to go. If they put a # on there, it is fun time.

In the past even when the officer upstairs has directed me to secondary, for whatever reason, officers downstairs have waved me on. Must be that innocent look.

"Malibu?" with a twinge of resentment. Yes!! then he says ciao
I like that. He is cool.

Downstairs to bag claim and the bags are already on the floor.

Now you get to pay for a cart which is pretty chinsy. I had saved US $ for it but instead can use my card. I am certain last time was cash only.

I get the cart, load the bags, hand the customs card to the officer who waves me along, they are pretty friendly here. Some guy has a box of alcohol and they are inspecting closely on one of the tables.

Out to the exit but not yet to TSA. A whole bunch of junk ( thank you) goes in, toiletries and my schoogi bag, with an Orangina from Paris, comes out, but still too heavy.

I hand the bags to TSA willing to give the cart, but I get to keep it. My bags go swoosh into the big machine, he wishes me a good flight. (yeah buddy, not for almost 24 hours, good they don't know that)

Out to the landside and I go to the side and I call the Best Western. Last time I was here they were testing the monorail. Now it is up and running. As with Newark, you now go over to the monorail to a hotel shuttle pick up point, ICK Actually works well with the IAB, but with AA is a pain.

To celebrate being back in America I go to Nathan's hot dogs and buy 3: chili, chili with cheese, and plain. ah, they are ok, but have had better. With jetlag and the Best Western, want some food handy, and not just chocolate.

On with the jacket and drag cart to some unkwown direction to the monorail. It is a bit nippy but nothing like London.

Up the elevator, onto the train, to Federal Circle, not a bad view of the planes and cargo areas. Down and to the black shuttle waiting for me.

Last time I did Hotwire I had the Hampton Inn, a very clean and modern, new hotel. With Hotwire and Priceline, you don't know til you have bought it what you are getting. Sorry to sound like a snob http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif but I wasn't looking forward to the Best Western.

It is a dump, it is doable, but a dump. I go check in, I ask for a high floor, she gives me 2, ok. I go up to my room and
I have made it.

&gt;&gt; <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by InterflugIL62:
Ok, thank you. Can we do this at the ELAL board? toda, please </font>&gt;&gt;

Interflug, you did not criticise LY (without even flying with them) on the El Al Board. You did so on this Board. I am not a yo yo schlepping from board to board.

Also you criticised Israeli airport security on this Board. Am I also supposed to schlep over to the Airport Board too?

You seem to think that Israel is Lichtenstein.

JFK

Got to the room, got some ice, ignored the loud people in the cafeteria area, oh they were loud. Do I mention the large trash bags in the hallway? (this place sucks!)

Yes, I did call downstairs and complained about them. It eventually did quiet down.

Anyway I called everyone, caught up on things, and off to bed. Good to be back in America, but I hate this hotel.

____

I woke up early at dawn and went for a walk, I needed it. It was cold but compared to Europe much more doable.

That white light was still over New York, becoming less bright. I could see the other hotels across the freeway, maybe I just like being higher. 2nd floor, nah. This area is crummy, but the walk felt so good. No baggage, no carry ons, I was beginning to think they were attached to me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Caught some quick breakfast then back to bed.

Janis called as I was checking out and waiting for the shuttle to JFK. The shuttle driver was nice and for some reason drove us into the airport, which saved time.

I took everything with me to the IAB, the large, spacious, and quite impressive Int'l terminal.

The place was desolate. I tried one more time with my Untied elite card to get into the Varig/Star Alliance lounge, but no go, and now it is expired. She did give me an inflight magazine. The Swiss lounge wardens were rude. I walked in to get a timetable and like, what do you want? Ok, wait til Swiss joins Oneworld. Then you get to deal with me.
Too much.

I walked around the check in counters and then had some time to kill before the Aer Lingus lounge opened up.

They have different places of worship. They had a multifaith (Protestant) chapel so I went in.
The Pastor was very loving and gave a good sermon. She actually had made some good points and I listened. We sang a song and then came up and held hands, I loved it. She actually gave me some things to think about.

With what little $$$ I had I made a donation, off the record, of course.

At home I would be in church for a good part of the day so this was the least I could do. Though many of you went out to lunch without me, :P.

Then down the way was a small Synagogue, dead empty, but with a big Israeli flag hanging up, which I can now look at with greater pride. In fact mine is up now, on my door, loving it.

I read from the prayer book and paid my respects. No place for a donation, ok. No Tzedekah box? (spelling)

Another tour around the terminal and then to my lounge.

The Aer Lingus lounge at JFK, like all of the lounges, are landside, which has mixed blessings. Nice that you can take non-flying visitors as guests and nice that I get to see it, as I am leaving from a different terminal, but to have to leave the lounge early to go clear security, etc, I don't know. I call it 50/50. I showed her my Platinum card and boarding pass. As I am traveling domestically they could make a deal, but they never do. In fact AA has made a bigger deal and at Newark wanted to deny me access, as I was only traveling domestically that day, though on an int'l ticket. Newark gave it to me as they had canceled my flight, gee, thanks.

This lounge is fantastic. A full library and fireplace, eating area, tv area, internet, comfy chairs in front of the windows giving you, to me anyway, one of the best views of JFK. They also have their own W/C.

They had chicken salad wrap sandwhiches, little bite sized ham and cheese sandwhiches, cookies, including chocolate chip, little salmon slices on the crackers, yummm, and a full open bar. At AA you are paying for everything and no food, same some pretzels, maybe cheese and crackers, if you are lucky.

Picked up a couple of plate fulls and sat in front of the window. JFK is quiet during the day and picks up in the evening.

Then did some internet to catch up. Now I have access to AOL and all sites and did some admin for my groups, before all the fun started http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and then preped this report on flyertalk.

I then got with someone that I was supposed to meet then couldn't thanks to T-Mobile. I felt bad about that.

I took a walk through the terminal and it was bustling. Nothing like before. Oh and Virgin Atlantic has a beautiful new Upper Class lounge where the Swissport used to be. I still miss the Swissport and Worldclubs(NW). They merged the Worldclub into the EI lounge but Northwest pax have no where to go til 3pm.

I went outside and caught some air. Lot's of good views of planes taking off into the sunset. You could see Manhattan, Empire State Building, and all. Donald Trump? Ya fired!

I called American to see if I could upgrade. First the cell doesn't work, then move a few feet and it did, ok.

Yes, American had a seat and moved me up, I figure, why not?

There was a guy in plain clothes standing outside in an obscure location. I have a very strong feeling he was ELAL security, but could be wrong. They do that, you know. The LY 744 was parked along with the EgyptAir 777, and a few other goodies, with the SAA A340 across the way at the Delta terminal.

Anyway, I did watch the ELAL check in, much more organized and less intense than my last visit, they also moved some of the security checks to the side, which is good.

I checked out the Swiss counter as I may fly out of here on Swiss when they join Oneworld.

Back to the lounge and it was bustling with people. A little more food, more internet, more gingerale, and time to go.

I did a quick look downstairs at the shops and watched people go through security to catch their planes.

Have to love all the goodbyes. It is a great terminal.

The Air Train is very convenient in this terminal as it is inside of it, board, and with 2 stops, JetBlue and BA, we are at American. Down the elevator, over to check in. I checked in at the front counter and wanted to see if they had a bag or something I could throw my junk in and check it, they didn't. BA does and it works wonders, oh well.

Up to the Admirals Club and the Academy Awards are on, err, the pre-show, all I get to see and then I heard about it when I got home. I took a drink, some peanuts, and time to go. In November security here at T9 was a madhouse, but was easy here. Strip down and I pass. If you have the SSSS you go get searched more intensely after the regular check vs. instead of. They wouldn't let me take my cart and so I had to drag my stuff down to the gate. One more call, prep things for the overhead, and we are going home.

The SWISS flight gates are directly across from LY at JFK. They leave at about the same time. Twice LY were right behind us on takeoff. They do not light up the tail section at night, like the other airlines. Keep it nice, dark, low-key and anonymous.

JFK-LAX AA 767-200

Ok, board the plane, walk through First, too good for me, so I look, then move along out of the cabin where I am not wanted http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif. LOL

Go to Business and do the load the junk into the overhead, what I need for the flight goes into the seat pocket. They have hangars in the seat pocket with seat numbers on them, I hang my beloved leather jacket, which has been thru alot the last 2 weeks, onto the hangar and immediately the crewmember comes and whisks it away.

Pre-flight drinks of orange juice, water, and ( I believe!?) champagne are served, I ask for a water and O/J, both of which are duly consumed.

Pre-flight setup, seatbelt fastened, check out the cabin, one kinda cute passenger near me,
the flight attendants, ahhhhhhhhh, but they are nice souls. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I had asked AA for 2 seats to myself. Oh no, it is full. It is all full. NOT!!

My new seatmate comes onboard and sits down. He does his pre-flight routine.

I say hello. That was pretty much it for the pleasantries.

The guy in front of me, right side, the bulkhead on the other side, and one other pair, the lucky passenger had 2 seats to themselves, lucky somethings, but not for me. Oh well.
If you have the 2 seats to yourself, all that legroom, it is sweet.

AA's legroom on Business is 60 inches, not sure of the centimetres for the Euro and CDN folks, sorry, but just know, it is great.

My seatmate, well, is a (slob), to put it nicely. smile He takes out a magazine and starts tearing out the add and sub forms inside and throws them on the floor. One of them is right above my feet. I am aghast. I look away. (schweinhund!) He is obnoxious throughout the flight and treats our sweet stew with contempt.

Pre-flight this and that's. Collect the glasses and the menus come out. Guy in Paris gets a new one. I snagged one more before leaving the aircraft. Someday I am going to have to see your menu collection. smile I am usually occupee raiding your beloved safety card box, and beloved it is!

I look out the window and see the beautiful Aer Lingus A330 that I stared at from the lounge in the after take off position climbing and doing the hard left turn to the Atlantic. Off to Ath Cliath(Dublin) with ya.

Then shock of all shocks, the ELAL 744 takes off, Star of David and all, goes soaring up toward the Holy Land, security checks now over with. Yes, I pick on ELAL and some people here on flyertalk don't like it(and they egg me on! fyi ugh) but I do like to see ELAL and there is a sense of Jewish pride. Lo(no), their service has a long way to go and no I am not going to debate this topic any further. Done with that. AND THE TAIL IS ALL LIT UP, DEAR...
Moving on, please, toda.

Push back and taxi, we look at the upcoming new AA terminal. I can't wait for this thing to open. The AA terminal now is a big piece of junk, said with respect, of course. It is old, drab, and a different world from the IAB.

The usual Air France, Lufthansa, and all at Terminal 1. That is a nice terminal and one that I would like to fly out of. Maybe on a buddy pass with the Delta guy on an AF codeshare sometime.

Safety video is shown, straight screen up front, no tv's on the 767, why I go out of my way to fly the 777. I wish that beloved AA would please put tvs on the 767s.

We taxi out past the IAB, which of course I can't see as I am on the right, it is on the left.
Right side pays off later, promise.

They give the all clear, ding dong, ding dong, and it is time to go home.

Rolling and lift off, flying over near the IAB, another ELAL, the late night KLM,
a China A340(new for me) at Terminal 3, and a whole bunch of Deltas, whatever :P~~~, some fellow AA birds, the hotels, and that lovely dump that I pray I will never see again,
and into the air.

When you take off from JFK you make a very hard left turn and clear the area. If it weren't for the such a harsh turn you could see Manhattan. Cast of Friends, Seinfeld, Law and Order, etc. You get the idea. Yes, I think of them as I see Manhattan. And now the Apprentice(oh I am hooked).

He does level out and I do get a view. If going to Europe the turn takes you out over the water. He heads south a bit and I get to see the skyline, the bridges, the Empire State Building, Trump's paradise(ya fired!), and down toward Newark(Noyak) New Jersey.

I believe we hit Philadelphia, or thereabouts, heading a little South, no map, then heads out West. What I would give for an inflight map, airshow. Love them!

I think all of the newer planes are getting them, so it is something to look forward to.

They come around for the first set of drinks and gingerale pretty much keeps me liquid for the flight. Our Flight attendant is nice. She is not the best, not the worst, but she is friendly
and she is trying. I would give her a B+.

A blessing of all blessings(maybe a curse to some, but good to one on here), without the map, I look out the window and see a large, and really large, beautiful city south of a large body of water. Drew Carey comes to mind http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ( I love him) and it is Cleveland. I don't need the map to recognize the city of rock and roll. Cavs and all. Shalom RR.

I am touched by the view and wave from afar. Then you have all the suburbs out to Elyria, Lorraine, Sandusky(Cedar, which I have never been to, btw!), but I never see Toleda.
Guess he heads south and pulls away plus there was some cloud activity. For shame.
I miss it, too. I miss the Uno (slam Uno!) games and those brownies. I hope that both are still waiting for me!? for when I next come. I also wave to the 'Duckpond' just a bit north in that blue state with the big M. I then say 'eh' to that other fun city nearby.
I miss our Uno games. I never play it here. I hit the Ohio border and I hear the Uno cards being shuffled. I can smell the brownies. I will get back, I promise.
There is a family in Tiffin that I need to go harrass. he he he (though they return the favor and sometimes then some,
:P~ )

With that it is a collage of cities, lights, and what we call America.

I get into some reading, do that WC break, oh wait, we are out of Europe, I go to the bathroom, there ya go. An airplane knows, has that sixth sense, when I get up and it starts shaking, it happens everytime. When I sit down, it stops. What to do!?

Dinner is served. I help her put the cloth on the table and we do the setup.

Like last time it is a cheese tortelini something and is quite good. The usual accompaniments. I don't care for the salads on airplanes. Have you heard of Ranch dressing, people? Try it sometime! Maybe it is a California thing? How could you put anything but Ranch dressing on a salad? Ok, I am not as bad as my sweet little bro who gets a gallon Ranch on the side, like the pesto and bbq sauce, but hey, a few tablespoons are great. They always have some kind of vinegar something. I thought they gave vinegar to Christ as he was on the cross or something like that. No thanks.

For dessert, cheesecake and ice cream. Let's try both. She gives me the cheesecake. It is to die for. Good food on an airplane other than Cathay, Singapore, Canadian, and Air France. hmmmmmmmmmm This could be nice. It was good guys, I mean really good.

I am glad that I tried both. The ice cream was awful and after 2 bites it went back. ick

After the meal service it was inflight movie time, or so I thought.

Going out to Miami the seat doesn't work. Now it is the video equipment.
My obnoxious seatmate said his volume was up and stayed up. Drove him crazy.(quiet smile here) he he he

Mine doesn't work either. I am mad when I have to forsake an episode of King of Queens. Maybe I will sue American. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif (people on the AA board on flyertalk write in and want compensation for the smallest things and we laugh hysterically, sorry)

It is annoying. I miss the movie, too. The crew came over, she tried it, said she would report it. They had one channel of some stupid song and that is all I had. Now if I had paid $7K and going to Europe in Business I'd be ticked. But I leave it and do reading.

The guy in front puts his seat all the way back and I mean all the way. An in my face type of thing. GRWL! The (yutz) next to me stretches out and poor me is trapped. I pay back with the reading light on and did my Business Traveller, British spelling.

Later I needed to get out and I wait, there is no way I can do this, both are sleeping. The gingerale takes its effect. Neighbor is awake and I make my move. I literally have to be a contortionist to get out. I could have just smacked the guy on the head, I really could. It would be rude, crude, and smude, but his seat is all the way back in my face, my 60 inches of legroom and personal space were gone. It sucks.

Why I would never pay for this thing up front. Not worth it. (suckers!)

I make my way out, not an easy feat and I get my relief. I want to do a walkabout through the cabin but too lazy. I need cards, too. Coach is not by any means full, as I had been told, one reason I had upgraded, cough, but it was heavy. So back to the torture chamber.

Caught a little bit of rest and enjoyed a city here, a city there. I am guessing we came in via Arizona, maybe it was Flagstaff to the North. Too small to be Phoenix, which they probably saw from the left.

I was uncomfortable with the seat in my face. Took away that up front joy.

The delight of every flight. The commandant(captiain) comes on and says we are starting our descent for LA. YEAH!!! We fly over Palm Springs, hello to Idlewyld, and he starts going down. We fly right over Ontario Airport-I have never even seen the new terminal,
and into LA. The joy of all joys when you can see downtown LA on a clear night and a gorgeous view. I am home. Glendale to the north and It was Sunday night. You guys were out having fun without me, and that is not allowed!
( I will bet that you went to one of my favorite places just to spite me...) Not kidding. I can see it. But I went to Europe and you didn't, so, nah nah. LOL

They bring our coats and finally the other yutz in front puts his seat up(schmuck!). I think I made an outloud sarcastic comment, gee, thanks, I can see my feet now. UGH

Now I can do my prep and stow things away, with my heavy leather coat on my lap.

I could barely get into the lower seat pocket before. Really disgusting. Guys, ok, put your seat back a little, but come on, do think of the person behind you. GRWL

I cheat and keep my seatbelt off and they don't even catch it so I can look back and see the City of Angels. Yes, we do compete with Paris for world title, I can promise.

We fly over the Forum where many Lakers' victories have taken place, also some defeats, sadly, the Race Track, the 405, the freeway we all love to curse, and then laughingly
we fly along the Westin, my new home for the evening, YEAH!
I go from the Best Western to the Westin in 2 nights, same company(Hotwire) and they cost about the same. Gotta love online auctions. This one I do. (the description pretty much gave it away, thank you)

A sprawl of Untieds, Widgets(Delta thingies), and we touch down, with that beautiful tower flashing. The Encounter and those sticks at the entrance to the airport change their glow, just for me. Welcome home. Reverse thrust and pounce. My beloved Cathay is at Bradley.
Pass tonight, maybe later it is for me.

A Qantas 744 is parked at one of the outer gates at the American terminal. Give me a trash bag and 15 minutes and I will raid the (bloody) thing. Perhaps another time, but I do sense Australia in the next year. (or Bali, we shall see) I think it will be one of them. I do miss Sydney, too much so. Plus, I need to go meet someone named Goldflyer. Let him buy me some drinks. ( I had to work you in here somehow, mate) Also Mad_Atta. Sounds fun.

We dock at a gate opposite the terminal named after our former mayor and we park, shut down, and done. I mentally express a gesture to that obnoxious guy I have had to sit next to for 5 hours. What a yutz. Sorry, no other way to describe him.

I grab my crap and say goodbye. Out of the jetway to this wonderful weather. Some guy stops dead in front of me and fixes his rolling carry on,then wheels it up. One of these days I swear I am just going to pounce right into them. Stand to the right, pass the left.
I guess when we can teach people to have their crap out at the security machine, then we can train the (animals) on this one. Enter the terminal and freedom at last!

LAX, home

Oh my I think we have done it. I will give a conclusion shortly.

I exit the aircraft and fix up the carry ons, too much, as always I know.

As I now have to be a passenger to get in here I walk around a bit. I kind of miss the place.

I miss the old pre-TSA days when we could come up here, hang out, go to the club for a drink, now we go to Thai restaurants for that, so works out.

It is about 2330 hours and so the Admirals is now closing, never getting to go when I left.
I know someone can get me in, so, not a problem. I do want to see the Flagship lounge,
should anyone want to take me.

Down through the terminal, I pity the poor souls who are flying out, no, I am glad to not be flying. I am not kidding. People think I am joking when I say I don't mind parking it for a bit. Down the line, you get the itch to go again, but I don't know how true road warriors and crews do it, I really don't and I so admire you. I am out playing on the beach and you are in a metal tube. ok....

Down to bag claim and my bags,unlike November, and according to proper TSA guidelines, come out from this flight. Last time they were sitting in a corner that anyone could have taken and walked off with, having been put on an earlier flight several hours early. Guess JFK got sick of them. I am happy that they came with this flight. Security wise makes me feel better. I call the Westin and ask for the shuttle. I could go get my car but too tired.
It is 0230 am in NY and 0730am in London, 0830am in Paris, and 0930am in the Holy Land. I pass. Everything goes onto a cart, which I found for free, made up for paying $$$ over the domestic part of the trip for something that is free in just about every country in the world. Some terminals in Canada charge for them, but you can pay in Canadian $$$ so doesn't cost much. LOL http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif :P EH

When I am out here waiting for any other shuttle, I see the Westin bus come around all the time. Good ole' Murphy strikes again. Now that I actually need the Westin bus, it took forever. Their predicted 5 minutes turns into much longer. So, I make phone calls and check in with people. Set up with Brian for the next day.

Bus comes and I get a fun duo of Southwest pilots sitting behind me. Since the show Airline I have a newfound respect for WN, which I really didn't have before, sorry.

They make some interesting comments and I eavesdrop, obv. so, even laugh and agree.

There is a bouchon or a bottleneck at the end of the airport. They are like welcome to California. I bring it down to LA. There was an accident at the exit and so the robots, I mean traffic cops with an attitude, are directing us around.

We make it to our new home. I jump ship and run to the desk with my bags in the van. Quite a few people on there so it takes time. There is a small line but I get to the front.
The Starwood Gold card check in never seems to matter. They check me in, they have to see ID. I never had to show ID in Europe, but I do at a hotel 35 miles from my home. Ok
Well sir, the room isn't ready. You are joking, eh?

I did request the top floor, airport view, even called it in before I left. We have 24 hour check out and I like that, acutally, and people were checking out to catch flights. I asked if he would buy me a drink and he gave me a voucher. More the principle.

The shuttle bus driver took my bags and had them on a cart, very impressed. He had a tip. That is service!

They then sat there in the lobby for a bit. I did the hotel walkabout and I do love this hotel, in all fairness. Would actually, if affordable!?, would be a place for a wedding, a thought. NOT TO GIVE ANYONE HERE ANY IDEAS! LOL
(I love being single, I really do) sorry

I get my drink. She forgets it, I politely remind her, then it comes. I do more walking, people are playing on the piano(well, they are trying). They are not my little bro!

Then I go to check on the room and she knows nothing of my predicament, my helper having gone out for a smoke(or whatever).

She wants to do the whole thing again and I am like, nah ah. I already showed the ID, gave the credit card for incidentals, and she goes ahead and finds me a room. I never showed any ID at any of the hotels in Europe or Isreal, too much!

Porter brings the bags up and I feel spoiled again. Not where I had asked, HOWEVER,
it is at the very corner, NW side of the hotel. Through the large rooms' spectacular windows I can see straight into LAXative and to my right, have a view of the downtown LA skyline. That is because some winds have blown away the smog. Scary that it is so close one day and can't even see it the next. I love the view. I get my ice. Time for American tv with some good sitcoms. Actually there was a movie that I like that was on and that took care of that.

Something new: I had ordered a Shirley Temple downstairs, love them and drank it, but there were cherries and a slight leftover of grenadine at the bottom. I then filled the tall glass with the English Malvern sparkling waters, and it was Heaven! So, I have found a new drink and will have to play with it.

In Hong Kong the hotel gym attendant gave us a sample of strawberry flavored water. It was awesome. I think we may be onto something.

We in California have to experiment with every kind of water possible, so a new avenue.

One last call then I retire to my Heavenly bed. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I may do this more often. I knew I was too tired to drive home. Smart move. I love this bed! When I do get married I will probably give a Westin a call about their Heavenly bed, seriously.

_______________

I awake to a desire and addiction of unpacking. Wrecking the Heavenly Bed I pour out my bags over everything. I then sort and arrange for everyone, many on this list, and organize:
timetables, safeties, magazines, misc(like napkins and swizzle sticks), you name it. I prepped the Harrods bag for mum.

Jon does well. My timetable people do pretty good. It was exhaustive, but I know that if I don't do it here, the bags will be full in 6 months.

I drink my new flavored water while snacking Euro chocolates and watching CNN about Haiti. Poor monsieur Aristide is kicked out. We shall miss him, PAS!(not)

I meet Brian and he takes me to my car. It works and is still there. Thank you unamed hotel. Someone actually wrote me personally and asked and I told. I wouldn't do it with a new car, please. I wouldn't do it for this long anyway. I thank the Angels who protected it, not kidding.

My welcome home meal was Carl's Junior Western Bacon cheeseburger. (2) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif and of course some criss cut fries and a chocolate shake. Literally why I want to be an American, saving the TSA to the side. It was so yummmmy

In Perth, Australia, had just arrived from Sydney, I had the biggest craving for one of these and it drove me crazy. Sometimes my treat after the Synagogue, after I have stuffed my face with a (few) cookies and challah.

We part and I go home. I blow kissess to the sign that reads, "Malibu."

The End

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 11, 2004).]

CONCLUSION/ le fin

This was a fantastic trip. I accomplished one of the most incredible things in my life, I went to Israel.

I helped to save my beloved American Airlines Platinum status. I still have to do a little bit but a trip to SFO should do it.

My life seems different, I can't explain it.

I think because I had the fear and I overcame it. Also, from the Jewish perspective, I feel like I belong to the club, if you will.

Now, when I go to the Synagogue, I have actually been to the country whose flag stands proudly at the top of the bima, the
upper floor. (it also hangs on my door)
It helps me to feel that I belong.

Seeing the 'guy in Paris', name removed for anonymity and his counterpart at CDG
made it worth it.

I am sorry for not seeing Uli in FRA, whom I am waiting to comment on this trip.

I am grateful for the wonderful experiences that the Lord has blessed me with and I now enjoy life even more.

Now, we have someone's wedding to plan. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

God bless and thank you for your support.


ciao

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 11, 2004).]

EPILOGUE

I am reserving this space for flight and aircraft info, etc.

This page will be a work in progress, otherwise, we are done! ciao tutti

LAX-MIA AA777
MIA-RDU AAM80
RDU-LGW AA777
LGW-FRA BA737-3
FRA-LHR BA767
LHR-TLV BA767
TLV-LHR BA767
LHR-CDG BA A319
CDG-LHR BA757
LHR-JFK AA777
JFK-LAX AA767-2

------------------
LA-Miami, Raleigh, Gatwick, Frankfurt, Heathrow, Tel Aviv/Jerusalem, LHR, Paris CDG, LHR, New York JFK, and home!
AA Plat,Lifetime Gold, UA P/E, Marriott Silver, Sheraton Gold,
Hilton Silver(for now)

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 11, 2004).]

I am glad to hear to you have achieved a wonderful goal in traveling to Israel!

I was wondering in English is your native language? I had a hard time following your post's. I would proof-read before you submit your post.

Otherwise, an nice report http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

&lt;&lt;I accomplished one of the most incredible things in my life, I went to Israel. &lt;,

Interflug, with all due respect, 3 days in Tel Aviv is really not a visit to Israel. You go to Church every Sunday, so I think Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee would be of great interest to you. You can even be baptised in the River Jordan, near Tiberias. Many Church groups arrange bible trips which you would find of great interest.

You should also visit Haifa, Acre and the Golan Heights up north and Gamla where they fought the Romans.

Of course Jerusalem. On south to the Dead Sea (a swim is not to be missed) and Masada which is quite extraordinary, where they also fought the Romans.

Lastly the Red Sea resort of Eilat.

You need a minimum of 2 weeks.

&lt;&lt;I do like to see ELAL and there is a sense of Jewish pride. Lo(no), their service has a long way to go &lt;&lt;

Amazing. For someone who has never even travelled on El Al to preach that the service has a long way to go!!!

I really don't care a hoot; however that's what I would call "chutzpah".

You mentioned that your Church use El Al on their pilgrimage tours. These tours are very interesting. I spent one hour once with a similar group in Caesaria. They make the Bible very real. Many skip Tel Aviv as it really has no connection with the Bible.

You really need to go back.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by G- five:
I am glad to hear to you have achieved a wonderful goal in traveling to Israel!

I was wondering in English is your native language? I had a hard time following your post's. I would proof-read before you submit your post.

Otherwise, an nice report &lt;IMG SRC="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif"&gt;</font>

Thanks. Curious, are you Israeli?

Just a hunch.

I am a native born American, Business degree and all. I like to play a bit in my writing and that is why it came off differently. Starting sentences with And, etc. It is all playful and intentional.

I know how to write properly, when I want. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The trip report is directed to my large, personal e-mail list and so it is done in more of a casual form. As a courtesy I post it here as well.

Take care and thank you.

Ok, I am doing one response here, then I need to move on.

Brettee thank you for your comments. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif A few people are writing to me and saying good things but asking why you keep bringing things up?

I will get back to Israel and I look forward to it.

I went while many here refuse to go, I think that says something.

I appreciate your thoughts but I am not going to debate anything here. I put this on flyertalk as a courtesy, it is intended for my e-mail list.

Toda Rabah

------------------
LA-Miami, Raleigh, Gatwick, Frankfurt, Heathrow, Tel Aviv/Jerusalem, LHR, Paris CDG, LHR, New York JFK, and home!
AA Plat,Lifetime Gold, UA P/E, Marriott Silver, Sheraton Gold,
Hilton Silver(for now)

Another finished report on the board, how many are here that are yet to be finished. Nice to see you accomplish that and thanks for sharing your experiences with us on FT.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GoldFlyer:
Another finished report on the board, how many are here that are yet to be finished. Nice to see you accomplish that and thanks for sharing your experiences with us on FT. </font>

Thanks mate, but no Vodka Dom for you. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

One last point Interflug. You had mentioned that you wanted to buy religious items in Bethlehem. You can also buy Christian religious items in Nazareth. The town is in Israel proper.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bretteee:
One last point Interflug. You had mentioned that you wanted to buy religious items in Bethlehem. You can also buy Christian religious items in Nazareth. The town is in Israel proper. </font>

thank you, kindly appreciated. I will get back. take care

&lt;&lt;Brettee thank you for your comments. A few people are writing to me and saying good things but asking why you keep bringing things up? &lt;&lt;

Interflug, I think it is pretty obvious why I am bringing things up. Please think it over........

With respect Bretteee [?] sorry if that's not right but it is one persons observations on a trip that they have had it doesn't have to be covered in complete fact it's their impression of the trip that they have had and all the better if they add a little personality IMHO. I think leave enough alone or perhaps even better may we see a trip report from you with your colour on sights, flights, services et al. I know when I travel and read reports I like to read as many as possible as I know one persons poison is anothers passion.

&lt;&lt;[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoldFlyer:
[B]With respect Bretteee [?] sorry if that's not right but it is one persons observations on a trip that they have had it doesn't have to be covered in complete fact &gt;&gt;

Goldflyer that was not my point. Interflug is free to say whatever he chooses and have whatever observation he wants. However if I find some comments to be offensive, (ie about the "hasidim" etc, etc, etc; I will not go into detail) which is a very personal thing, I have a right to respond. Maybe I am a little sensitive, but everyone takes criticism differently than others.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GoldFlyer:
With respect Bretteee [?] sorry if that's not right but it is one persons observations on a trip that they have had it doesn't have to be covered in complete fact it's their impression of the trip that they have had and all the better if they add a little personality IMHO. I think leave enough alone or perhaps even better may we see a trip report from you with your colour on sights, flights, services et al. I know when I travel and read reports I like to read as many as possible as I know one persons poison is anothers passion. </font>

Cheers mate. You know not what you have gotten yourself into, but I appreciate it all the same. She is annoying alot of people but they won't write it here, laugh.
( I can't blame them, to be honest)

Cheers mate!! Can't wait to meet you.

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 12, 2004).]

InterflugIL62, some unsolicited advice - you might want to edit your post above.

Additionally, remember moderators have their own lives outside of FT (I know, it's unbelievable) so sometimes, an e-mail can be more useful. It's just not the decent thing to wash your dirty linen in public, so to speak.

Apart from that, interesting, if lengthy, trip report. Well done. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[QUOTE]Originally posted by InterflugIL62:
[B] Thanks. Curious, are you Israeli?

Just a hunch.

Actually, Italian American.

Keep the posts coming!

Nice report.

I've never had the chance to visit Israel. I guess I've been too cautious. Sounds like a wonderful place worth exploring someday. Let me know if I can contact you via email, as I have some questions for you regarding the country.

Regards.

&lt;&lt;She is annoying alot of people but they won't write it here, laugh.( I can't blame them, to be honest) &lt;&lt;

Interflug, I have made a strong effort to be polite and unlike you (please see your offensive remarks above) I have avoided making "personal" attacks. I remember you from a year ago but was unaware that you had been "expelled" (asked to leave the Boards). I recognised you immediately a few months ago on the El Al board.I am sure that I am "annoying" to some, especially as defending Israel is not popular in some circles. But you see, with an Israeli mother who defends her country, I have a tendency to respond to comments I may find insensitive and offensive. And I can assure you that my mother would not have been as polite as I am.

&gt;&gt;I find if funny that when I said 'Luftwaffe' and I was joking, being playful, and I even wrote via private e-mail to them and apologized, she defended my right to say that. &lt;&lt;

Mmmm yes it is very, very funny indeed, as I actually now can sympathise more with the poster who was also offended by your Luftwaffe comments. Maybe it was a good lesson and medicine for me. As we are talking about this, in your report you mention your surprise of German tourists in Tel Aviv. I personally believe in "reconciliation / good will" and appreciate the fact that many German tourists do visit Israel. My mother by the way receives a pension from them because of what happened to her during the war, which at least is a nice symbolic gesture.

&gt;&gt;I have been very positive with Israel. I know NO ONE who likes Israel's harsh security checks, even Israelis hate them&lt;&lt;

Mmmm not the ones I know. We must mix with a different crowd. You don't have relatives in Israel who risk being blown up. Security in fact has been criticised. A few months ago 2 British suicide bombers slipped into Israel and blew a few Israelis up in a Tel Aviv rstaurant; in fact right next to your hotel. I assume they probably also arrived from London on British Airways, like you did.

&gt;&gt;and they go through much less than we foreigners do, but then all of a sudden 'my right' seems to come to an end. &gt;&gt;

For your information Interflug, the reason foreigners go through more security than Israelis is that Israelis in general do not blow up other Israelis. But you will be surprised. My mother is Israeli and they ask her a lot of personal questions also. My relatives don't gripe about security; they gripe about the customs officials who try to tax them on everything they try to bring back.

&gt;&gt;Unfortunately, there are many who feel this way. They will fight for one's right to do something, but then as soon as they don't agree with it, they will take away that right, very hypocritical. Disgusting is more like it.&gt;&gt;

Here we go again; your use of the word "disgusting" to me is strong and offensive; maybe not to others but certainly to me. Why are you so angry? What would you say if I were to refer to some of your country's policies as "disgusting?" Though I did laugh at parts of your comments, I find some remarks impolite and insensitive.

&gt;&gt;If I had played with ELAL's name, and I can assure you many do, MANY, she would have had a fit. Having done it with Lufthansa, that is ok. I have a big problem there, sorry. &lt;&lt;

No Interflug if it is done in "good taste" I would not have a fit. Everybody knows that EL AL stands for "Every landing, always late." The problem with this is that now, El Al has an excellent on time performance record so the nickname these days makes no sense.

&gt;&gt;Anyway, let her have her rants. Maybe the moderators will wake up http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif and send her back to the ELAL board. Nothing happens over there! &lt;&lt;

MMmmmmm I consider your personal comments above to be very impolite and rude. I think I now understand why you were expelled a year ago, though I really do not know all the details. I think you had a run-in about Air India. I really do not know the facts.

I apologise if I got personal with you but you started the personal impolite attacks.

Britt777, thank you! I went in to edit and she got it before I could finish the edit, sorry.

I may not even read it.

Gee, try to have a life here LOL.

G-5, thanks. The report is over.

I may do one for the November trip, once things settles down. I would do it as that was an awesome trip. I also have half my Cathay trip, I would need to finish it, but also a great trip.

SQ, my neighbor! Sure, e-mail me and I welcome it. Israel is a great place. Just don't let her turn you off it. LOL

Bretteee, PLEASE!!

I did edit, please delete the post, thanks.

First of all I wasn't expelled, I got up and left. It had nothing to do with Air India. I am trying to let that pass.

I apologize for offending you and I aplogize for offending dear Israel(which I never did).

May we move on please?

Also, again, I did remove the other post, or most of it, now you have kept it, please delete it, thank you.

&gt;&gt; some unsolicited advice - you might want to edit your post above. &gt;&gt;

Thank you. Interflug did edit his comments about me but it seems I got there before the editting process began.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bretteee:
&gt;&gt; some unsolicited advice - you might want to edit your post above. &gt;&gt;

Thank you. Interflug did edit his comments about me but it seems I got there before the editting process began.

</font>

ah ok, so, please edit your post, thank ya

Kudos to InterflugIL62 for a wonderfully entertaining trip report. However, seeing that he says that it is now finished and that the discussion is drifting away from travel-related issues, I think its best that I lock it now to prevent any further acrimony.

Thanks
Sean (B747-437B)
Moderator
Trip Reports