My annual trek to the Crescent City begins tomorrow. At 3:15 AM. Oh joy.
After thirteen hours of flying time and more than eight hours of sitting in various airports I will finally land, very excited, yet exhausted from not being able to sleep in those instruments of torture they call economy class seats.
I try very hard not to complain about flying and to remember that it is only several hours out of my life, and so worth it to have the ability to get halfway across the world in less than a day, but when you're as short as I am, those headrests that are there to support the necks of normal sized people actually thrust the heads of us shorter people forward, causing agonizing neck pain after 11 hours on a transatlantic flight.
The other night I had a dream that the airline gave away my seat before I got on the plane so they offered me a big, roomy one in first class to apologize.
Ah, if only my dream would come true...
I'm not holding my breath.
Anyway....
You won't be reading about cheese and wine and France, or seeing any photos of the local markets, villages and vineyards for the next few weeks.
It will be all about New Orleans - friends and festivities, po boy's and Mardi Gras parades, and hopefully a visit to The Marigny Brasserie, the St. James Cheese Company (you can't expect me to go 3 weeks without at least some cheese, can you?) and Donald Link's new charcuterie place next door to the spectacular Cochon.
Then I fly off to Spokane, Washington, where I grew up, to visit family and friends and buy as much soft peanut butter brittle that can fit in my suitcase. My only disappointment about going to Spokane...no Trader Joe's to loot!
So I'll be around, posting photos and writing a bit from the road.
À bientôt.
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11 comments:
Have a great trip!
How exciting...enjoy!
Hope you have a fantastic trip..can't wait to read about New Orleans and Washington..Enjoy !!!
Loulou, don't worry about being too short for those economy-class airplane seats. Imagine being taller and having your knees up under your chin the whole time. I fly out to North Carolina on Monday next and I'm not looking forward to it, with two changes along the way.
I used to know a couple named Steve and Michelle Foster who lived in Spokane. He taught French at the university there? Did you ever cross paths with them?
Ken
Have a great time! I've never been to New Orleans but it sounds like an amazing, atmospheric place.
Madame! When will you be in Spokane?
Bon voyage. Are you going alone?
LouLou
Bon voyage. Will you be in N'awlins for MardiGras - Feb 24?
If not "Pass a Good Time" while you are there :-)
Bon voyage!
Enjoy our trip! What a great time to be in N'awlins! I know what you mean about being short in those darned seats. I fell asleep on the way to Paris in 2007, and it took months to get neck back to normal. Somehow I managed not to hurt it again in 2008.
Thanks Alison, Sandy and Anne! I expect to. :)
Ken
No, I can't imagine that but it sounds awful! My husband is very tall, so I've seen his agony while being crammed into the no-leg-room instruments of torture.
Your friend's name doesn't sound familiar. Do you remember at which University?
Veronica
It is an amazing, unique place. You should go if you have the chance.
Kate
I'll be there from Feb 26-March 7. Will you be there too? I would love to see you!
georgiegirl
Yes, hubby is staying home with the animals.
Beaver
Yes indeed! Have many friends who will be parading. Should be fun!
spacedlaw
Merci!
Mimi
They are awful, aren't they? I had an entire row to myself on the long flight yesterday so was able to stretch out and get some sleep. It was heaven!
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