False Start

Finally, the first day of travel has come and gone. I spent some time in the Orlando International Airport and unfortunately never got airborne, so I learned an important lesson- if you are truly going to get lost for a while, reservations should be of less importance. Yes, the airline was responsible, but would it have been better to roll the dice on an aircraft that had a maintenance issue? I had a couple of drinks in American Airlines Admirals Club and tried to stay as pleasant as I could be while they rebooked my flight. I am assuming that this will be the first of many “first world” problems, but isn’t the point of getting lost shedding some of the stress of the rat race? Day two is starting with vodka and orange juice. It’s already a promising thought.

Now for lessons learned: after all of the research into cell phones, I’ve determined that the best option is T-Mobile. I wish I would have been able to take advantage but waited until the last minute and was just a little too late. Learn from my mistake- they are the most reasonable and best option for traveling the world. If you are over 50 or a veteran, take advantage of the amazing discounts they offer. Then, when you return to the states, you can return to a carrier with better stateside coverage. Secondly, we were able to fit all of our things into a carry-on and backpack each. The only issue with this is that they are completely full. I would have preferred a little extra space in each bag, but will revisit this issue if it indeed becomes an issue.

Saved miles have gotten me to the front of American Airline’s B777 departing from Dallas, TX to Frankfurt, Germany. There are some really great deals to be had using American’s AAdvantage program. Plus miles buy you flexibility. I think no matter which airline you prefer, banking miles either by buying them, opening credit cards, or earning via travel is a very good idea.

Now it’s time to enjoy another drink, read a book, and get a little lost- not physically, but you get the idea.

Safe Travels