I went to Orlando for a few days this week for business, not pleasure. But enjoyed myself as usual. However, traveling can be a pain sometimes. Here  are my random thoughts for this week and what I learned. 

Even after missing my flight to Orlando and feeling a little ruffled, I knew that my travel exploits would leave me with some enchanting and sometimes exhilarating experiences. Whoever coined the phrase, “No pain, No Gain”, was not only a poet, but a wise poet.

Traveling, I discover great stories and encounter once in a lifetime experiences. I saw the oil spill in the gulf from 9,000 feet high as it oozed its way towards the Florida Keys. Incredible. I received a crash course on the new iPAD from my seatmate. Unbelievable. I saw Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse greet a group of smiling, handicapped children. Indescribable. I watched and felt a pair of iguanas chase each other under my lounge chair, oblivious to my toes. Unhinging.

Centuries ago, St Augustine wrote, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”

Enjoy and let me know what you learned from traveling too!

• The only highway into the airport should not be closed for paving at 7:00 am. Period.

•  I learned  I cuss like a sailor when I’m stuck in traffic rushing to catch a flight, not directed at my driver, my hubby, which is possibly a marital record.

• “You’ll be fine” hubby says, referring to making my flight. Fine, the scariest word in urban language. Well, that and departed.

• TSA only does a special inspection of my carry-on luggage when I’m late.

• TSA can always find my missing, half-used lipstick tube, inside a luggage flap I didn’t know existed.

• Missing a plane when it’s still at the gate, but the boarding doors are closed, sucks, especially when upgraded to first class. Really sucks.

• Freakin. Friggin. Frickin. I can cope with anything if I have a good “F” word substitute.

• On my plane to Orlando, there was a baby across the aisle from me, a baby in front of me and a baby behind me. They were all crying. I think airplanes should have a “No baby” section.

• Ditto in security lines. Frequent Traveler, Casual Traveler, and Travelers with Baby/Kids.

• Once or twice a month my name makes the top boards list; “The standby list at the airports.”

• I learned that Platinum is more precious and worth more as a status at an airport, then it is in jewelry.

• When I said good bye to my kids this week, as I was leaving for three days, my daughter piped up she wouldn’t miss me. She said she never misses me when I’m gone. Nice.

• You really don’t want to order decaffeinated coffee on an airplane, at least according to my flight attendant. She would have to boil the water, find the Folgers crystals package and stir it up. I would be considered the complicated passenger with special needs. Water, please.

• Welcome to WDW hotel. You’re in room 1256-5, to get there, take a left at the shark tanks, cross under the waterfalls, wind pass the dolphin pool, and then take the third set of elevators inside the double doors, to the 5th floor, catch the 2nd tram, then follow the green carpet…why is everything so
S p r e a d o u t in Walt Disney World?

• Following the plot to LOST is more plausible than finding my room at the WDW Hotel.

• My hotel alarm clock always goes off at midnight, thirty minutes after I finally fall asleep.

• Alligators, pythons and bears. Oh my. Beware of Bears in Florida? The concierge warned me to watch out for black bears after directing me to a wooded, unlit jogging path route in the area.

• Sure, I enjoyed watching the fireworks from my hotel room every night, while eating cheesecake and drinking chocolate shakes from room service. I think I need to call child services and have them take me away from myself.

• Did you know vinegar soothes sunburn? Who knew? The burning went away but I smelled like a salad.

• Did you know kid’s blood curdling screams from jumping in swimming pools travel more at night?

• For a writer, what better place to visit than Walt Disney World. I already have made-up characters and make believe places living in my head.

• If WDW is kindling creative energy that fuels my brain, imagine what I can do in Las Vegas!

• Road Warrior has a whole new meaning.

• “We know why you fly”, really?

Do you have any traveling experiences to share? What did you learn in LIFE?