I also love looking out the window; since my first flight I've enjoyed the experience partly for the view. I also flew from the USA to Tokyo recently and was astonished by some of the scenery; the Dreamliner was nice as I could brighten my view a little once everything went dark. (And I could even both watch a movie and enjoy the view! Imagine that! I'd pause the movie for a few moments if something caught my eye outside.)

On non-Dreamliners, I've never had a problem opening a shade for a few minutes, or even keeping it partly open, even after a no-views mandate has been effected. I hate closed shades -- they make it feel like the plane is being quarantined.

And it's pretty at night, too. Sometimes the moon is pretty or reflects nicely off the clouds. Sometimes it's nice to see the lights of a city or town below.

Seth