Where in the World?

My company had upgraded my ticket to business class today so that I would have an easier flight home after my surgery. I was very appreciative until I got up to the Lufthansa reservation desk. I was told that I had been upgraded to first class and would that be okay? Uhhhhh. Let me think. “Well, I’ll accept this time and make the sacrifice”, I said. My appreciation level jumped off the scale.

This is the second time I’ve been upgraded to first class on an international flight since I began my intense yearly travel in 2001. Let me tell you, I become spoiled within about five minutes. It’s the opposite of flying in economy. The difference is extraordinary but I could never see paying the thousands of dollars extra to actually buy a first class ticket unless of course that kind of money was a fraction of what I really owned.

As they were only seven of us in first class, the flight attendant basically waited on us hand and foot. First, we were all handed a toilet kit (toothbrush, tooth paste, eye shades, lotion, ear plugs, etc.), slippers, socks to keep our feet warmed, a night shirt so we could sleep comfortably and a single rose for our extremely large seats that could lay out flat for that perfect nap or deep sleep.

Then the food began to pour in. Drinks (water, sodas, wine, liquor, coffee, tea, etc.) to start and a plate of warm nuts to wet our appetites. Before our five course meal began we were handed heavy face towels; hot with a bit of citrus oil to refresh our faces and hands. We have been flying about 20 minutes at this point.

My five course meal consisted of: 1) some kind of sliced meat with pickled vegetables, 2) boiled shrimp with eggplant and tomato, 3) salad with 10 or 12 choices of bread, 4) lamb medallions with potatoes and mixed vegetables and 5) apple crisp with almond ice cream. The flight attendant asked if I would like coffee with my dessert. As I nodded yes, she asked if I would like and espresso or cappuccino. Cappuccino, please! I’m realizing that heaven is somewhere around 35,000 feet surrounded by a large metal tube.

I thought that the food would stop at this time, but I had to choose from a large box of very fancy chocolate truffles to go with my iced Bailey’s. I had not prepared myself for the innumerable decisions I would face on this flight. It was quite challenging.

During my meal, I had the choice of watching about 50 different movies or T.V. shows. I choose a long movie to complement my long meal. As we reached the southern tip of Greenland, I became sleepy. Probably caused by all the food. I laid my seat flat and took the most restful nap I’ve ever had on a plane.

As we flew over eastern Canada, I again had more food choices. I settled for smoked salmon sandwiches and fruit.

My only complaint about the entire trip was that it was too short!

I’m always very grateful when events like this happen. I use them to instill an attitude of hope for future experiences to be the same or better.

Have a great day!

Michael