09 & 10 May 2012
526
R. Linda:
Well . . . where to begin. So much has happened and so much to write about I better start back on 9 May when it all began. Yes, the magical mystery tour of Erin. So let me go back if you will to the day of the flight out from Logan in Boston to Dublin in Ireland.
We had packed up and were ready to go, the kiddos helped us, by throwing in all manner of things we would not be needing, in an attempt to get us packed faster and out of the house. Yes, me own boyos were glad to see us go! They had hatched between them numerous devious plans to have a go at the arriving house invaders. They wanted us out so they could put their dastardly plans into operation, they did! Who they take after I do not begin to guess.
After unpacking teddy bears, puzzle pieces and what-have-you (for the third time), we zipped our bags and got them to the door for limo pick up. Yes, R. Linda, we started our "tour" at the door (and yes I know that rhymes I do), making each of the boyos promise to be good. We awaited the invading relatives who were to care for the two miscreants to arrive at any moment. It was O'Hare who saw them first tooling up the driveway in their new hybrid. He proceeded to jump up and down as his brother Guido handed him a super soaker (you've seen these water guns I be assuming), and out they went before either I or Tonya could stop them. As soon as the car door opened and Tonya's sister got out she was sprayed unmercifully by O'Hare who stood in combat stance laughing his fool head off. The other one had hidden himself in the bushes and stood in wait for house invader number 2 to get out. He wasn't going to but not seeing the small terrorist with a water gun behind him, mistakenly thought it was safe. AND he laughed at his wife being soaked by O'Hare when suddenly a spray of cold water hit him in the back and up his head. Yes, Guido hit his mark he did! This happened so quickly that we couldn't get out there fast enough to put a stop to it.
Of course, Tonya and I took one kiddo each to corral and the two reprobates were having none of it. In the process, we got a good soaking ourselves. We both were not happy but we did manage to pull guns out of struggling wee arms and by the scruff of their necks haul them back inside sans water guns, they protested all the way that they were only having "fun." Gees!
Tonya got us towels and we all towelled off in the hallway, no worse the wear, but I was silently thinking, "Welcome to me abode, enter at your own risk." We all joked the watering off and set to instruction time and then gave the two wee ones a good talking to, which I could see went in one ear and out the other. Even the dogs looked like they were up to no good, and Mr. Kits, well, he's never behaved a day in his life and saying anything to that druggy of a cat be a waste of time.
Now the Abdullah seniors were meeting us not at our home but at Logan as they flew in from JFK. Why they weren't leaving from Newark I couldn't tell you. There be nothing worse than meeting up with someone who be taking a connecting flight at the airport as more times than naught, their flight be never on time. We had gone through the scenario on our way to Logan that if the parent's flight was delayed we should wait. I didn't want to, and you know why I say that. I was hoping beyond hope this would be the case and yours truly would have a Dragon-free ride to Dublin.
BUT that didn't happen, they made it in before we even arrived and so . . . me dream was shattered.
On the way to meet Dragon and Big Tony, we got in line for security which was moving along nicely, when the man in front of us was pulled out and then they looked at me and gestured for the next ten people with me in line to come and join the first fella. We found ourselves in the full-body scanner line. For joy! Tonya was grumbling but I was rather amused by it. We took off shoes, put coats, and watches and carry on in the bins and then it was step forward, place feet on printed footprints, arms over your head, scan and Bob's your uncle and we were out before the other line was even halfway near to where we had been waiting.
"That wasn't so bad now was it?" I asked Tonya. "Scan, and you're ahead of the rest of the herd."
"Right." She grumbled. "Damn invasive if you must know."
We got down to the Aer Lingus gate and there were Tonya's parents ready and waiting. We found out that none of the scanners were for them, they had waited with the rest of the "cattle" and acted as though a full body scan was a treat. "Really?" Tonya asked them, still grumbling. And there I was wondering how with the name Abdullah they didn't go through the scanner. I know racial profiling but you know it's done. Anyway, we sat down and checked tickets and we found Dragon and Big Tony were somehow in coach. Well, the Dragon could never have that, so it was up to the counter she sent Big Tony, and he demanded his wife at least, since there was only one business class (there is no first class) seat left, could be had for his darlin' wife. Well, for sure, if she so wants it, if Tony would like to cough up an extra $2000 on the spot she's in. He was irate, "$2000 more? What are the seats made of gold?" He fumed, standing there in all those gold chains and a Rolex watch on his meaty wrist, not to forget the diamond pinky ring (do you think they smelt money?). The Adullahs were already paying through the nose and $2000 more seemed ludicrous to him as it would most of us, well all of us. So, Tonya came up with the bright idea that she and I would take their seats and they could have ours up front. Oi!
I was thinking in me head the entire time, "No Tonya, don't do it!" But she did and that was that. BUT her father decided he'd ride with me in the back and the two "girls" (I still have trouble thinking Dragon a girl) could have the business class. Chivalry should be dead, but no, no, it still goes on in the mind of Abdullah senior. SIGH.
So let me give you a short lesson on business travel vs. coach on Aer Lingus. You get a lie-flat sleeper seat with 58" seat pitch, 21" width. Nice huh? In coach, you do get not enough legroom if you are 6'2" tall and half the width of a business seat. I did share with Abdullah senior that the next time he should find himself with coach tickets and wants to upgrade the best way was online. For some reason for $500 more you can do it that way, but by asking at the counter, they stun you with a price like . . . $2000! "Live and learn," he said.
With his bulky figure and me tall one, we settled down to a rather cramped flight, while the ladies were enjoying a lovely flight (see photos).
R. Linda:
Well . . . where to begin. So much has happened and so much to write about I better start back on 9 May when it all began. Yes, the magical mystery tour of Erin. So let me go back if you will to the day of the flight out from Logan in Boston to Dublin in Ireland.
We had packed up and were ready to go, the kiddos helped us, by throwing in all manner of things we would not be needing, in an attempt to get us packed faster and out of the house. Yes, me own boyos were glad to see us go! They had hatched between them numerous devious plans to have a go at the arriving house invaders. They wanted us out so they could put their dastardly plans into operation, they did! Who they take after I do not begin to guess.
After unpacking teddy bears, puzzle pieces and what-have-you (for the third time), we zipped our bags and got them to the door for limo pick up. Yes, R. Linda, we started our "tour" at the door (and yes I know that rhymes I do), making each of the boyos promise to be good. We awaited the invading relatives who were to care for the two miscreants to arrive at any moment. It was O'Hare who saw them first tooling up the driveway in their new hybrid. He proceeded to jump up and down as his brother Guido handed him a super soaker (you've seen these water guns I be assuming), and out they went before either I or Tonya could stop them. As soon as the car door opened and Tonya's sister got out she was sprayed unmercifully by O'Hare who stood in combat stance laughing his fool head off. The other one had hidden himself in the bushes and stood in wait for house invader number 2 to get out. He wasn't going to but not seeing the small terrorist with a water gun behind him, mistakenly thought it was safe. AND he laughed at his wife being soaked by O'Hare when suddenly a spray of cold water hit him in the back and up his head. Yes, Guido hit his mark he did! This happened so quickly that we couldn't get out there fast enough to put a stop to it.
Of course, Tonya and I took one kiddo each to corral and the two reprobates were having none of it. In the process, we got a good soaking ourselves. We both were not happy but we did manage to pull guns out of struggling wee arms and by the scruff of their necks haul them back inside sans water guns, they protested all the way that they were only having "fun." Gees!
Tonya got us towels and we all towelled off in the hallway, no worse the wear, but I was silently thinking, "Welcome to me abode, enter at your own risk." We all joked the watering off and set to instruction time and then gave the two wee ones a good talking to, which I could see went in one ear and out the other. Even the dogs looked like they were up to no good, and Mr. Kits, well, he's never behaved a day in his life and saying anything to that druggy of a cat be a waste of time.
Now the Abdullah seniors were meeting us not at our home but at Logan as they flew in from JFK. Why they weren't leaving from Newark I couldn't tell you. There be nothing worse than meeting up with someone who be taking a connecting flight at the airport as more times than naught, their flight be never on time. We had gone through the scenario on our way to Logan that if the parent's flight was delayed we should wait. I didn't want to, and you know why I say that. I was hoping beyond hope this would be the case and yours truly would have a Dragon-free ride to Dublin.
BUT that didn't happen, they made it in before we even arrived and so . . . me dream was shattered.
On the way to meet Dragon and Big Tony, we got in line for security which was moving along nicely, when the man in front of us was pulled out and then they looked at me and gestured for the next ten people with me in line to come and join the first fella. We found ourselves in the full-body scanner line. For joy! Tonya was grumbling but I was rather amused by it. We took off shoes, put coats, and watches and carry on in the bins and then it was step forward, place feet on printed footprints, arms over your head, scan and Bob's your uncle and we were out before the other line was even halfway near to where we had been waiting.
"That wasn't so bad now was it?" I asked Tonya. "Scan, and you're ahead of the rest of the herd."
"Right." She grumbled. "Damn invasive if you must know."
We got down to the Aer Lingus gate and there were Tonya's parents ready and waiting. We found out that none of the scanners were for them, they had waited with the rest of the "cattle" and acted as though a full body scan was a treat. "Really?" Tonya asked them, still grumbling. And there I was wondering how with the name Abdullah they didn't go through the scanner. I know racial profiling but you know it's done. Anyway, we sat down and checked tickets and we found Dragon and Big Tony were somehow in coach. Well, the Dragon could never have that, so it was up to the counter she sent Big Tony, and he demanded his wife at least, since there was only one business class (there is no first class) seat left, could be had for his darlin' wife. Well, for sure, if she so wants it, if Tony would like to cough up an extra $2000 on the spot she's in. He was irate, "$2000 more? What are the seats made of gold?" He fumed, standing there in all those gold chains and a Rolex watch on his meaty wrist, not to forget the diamond pinky ring (do you think they smelt money?). The Adullahs were already paying through the nose and $2000 more seemed ludicrous to him as it would most of us, well all of us. So, Tonya came up with the bright idea that she and I would take their seats and they could have ours up front. Oi!
I was thinking in me head the entire time, "No Tonya, don't do it!" But she did and that was that. BUT her father decided he'd ride with me in the back and the two "girls" (I still have trouble thinking Dragon a girl) could have the business class. Chivalry should be dead, but no, no, it still goes on in the mind of Abdullah senior. SIGH.
So let me give you a short lesson on business travel vs. coach on Aer Lingus. You get a lie-flat sleeper seat with 58" seat pitch, 21" width. Nice huh? In coach, you do get not enough legroom if you are 6'2" tall and half the width of a business seat. I did share with Abdullah senior that the next time he should find himself with coach tickets and wants to upgrade the best way was online. For some reason for $500 more you can do it that way, but by asking at the counter, they stun you with a price like . . . $2000! "Live and learn," he said.
With his bulky figure and me tall one, we settled down to a rather cramped flight, while the ladies were enjoying a lovely flight (see photos).
 |
| Us -- Coach class seating |
 |
| Ladies -- business class seating |
 |
| The plane |
So you see the difference? Actually to be fair, one can spread their legs out under the seat in front if there be no carryon under it, but still, it beats Ryanair by 100% unless you like torture rides, then Ryan be your carrier and if they could haul your arse anywhere standing up they'd do it.
The flight was a zippy 5 hours (we had a good tailwind sending us on). The only drawback was our pilot came on and garbled something at all of us, and even me couldn't understand a word he had uttered. He had looked rather merry boarding and I had to wonder, but well, I couldn't tell much from the distance. We arrived safe and sound, not any turbulence for Dragon to complain of, and we left in a downpour and arrived in the misty rain, such a treat! I knew instantly I be home!
While Logan is a busy airport, Dublin be not anything like that. It be one hell of a trek from the landing gate to the baggage retrieval, and if you have not exercised in years this alone could kill you. Dragon was complaining up a storm about if she had known she'd have to walk 10 miles for her luggage, she would have ordered a wheelchair, and on and on she went. I was thinking, "Is this the kind of time we are going to have?"
Gabe
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2 comments:
Gabeeeeeeeee you're back! you were missed! welcome home now write some more pleaseeeeeee
Cappy you're back from across the seas! I await the stories of a trip well served. Someone once said that to me, and I don't have any idea what he meant. P-)
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