My Gypsy Life

“Events in Japan” via Delta.com.

If you are in the middle of your travels, and want to reschedule your flight flying to/from Japan. This is under terms/conditions of Delta.

“Only the change fee is being waived. Any difference in the fare between your original ticket and your new ticket will be collected at time of rebooking”

Shame on you Delta!

The plane began boarding. I waited in line neither anxious nor scared, just ready to sleep. Beep went the person’s ticket in front of me. When it came my turn, I didn’t hear that beep. Swipe again. Denied. Am I not going to Shanghai today? The woman told me to see the front counter as I might have been upgraded. Heading over to the crowded counter I was hoping for another travel miracle. “I’m sorry miss but we’ve had to move you…we didn’t have any seats available so we’ve now put you in business class.”

Rejoice!  For the first time I flew business class internationally and it was my own personal christmas. The first present I opened was a blanket and pillow. I tore off the plastic covering to feel the warmth of the duvet and fluffiness of the pillow. Next, the red one; an oval shaped travel case. Ooohhh! Just what I always wanted. I received not one but multiple presents in this one; a toothbrush, toothpaste, socks with traction, an eye mask, gum, ear plugs, tissues, and lotion…much nicer than I’d ever been given in economy. More gifts came throughout the flight including gourmet meals, choices of hot tea, and a warm towel. Yet, my favorite gift was the reclining chair. Pushing the buttons, I slowly reclined further and further back until I was laying horizontally, eyes close…ahhh, sleep! A very, merry christmas from Delta.

With a layover in Tokyo I arrived in Shanghai pretty late and so did my bags, but a nice man from the hotel was waiting for me with a sign and a comfy car. As we got closer to the city center, I was expecting more lights as Shanghai has consistently been compared to New York. It’s not like the Manhattan skyline though; the buildings are more like ghosts. I could see their blurred silhouettes in the dark sky and sometimes a hotel sign hovering high in the darkness. It’s probably the smog.

From the moment I stepped on the plane, to right now as I sit at my desk, I’ve had my eyes wide open and my lips pressed together only to open them to say “ni how” (hello). My eyes haven’t had this much exercise in awhile, as I look from left to right, up and down, watching and observing those around me. I’ve had moments of pure joy like walking to work this morning, my inner monologue said, “That sign is in Chinese and I can’t read it and I have no idea where I’m going and I love it!” I feel like a toddler who is just getting her footing right, curious about everything, with a big smile on her face.

Back on the road again…it was a pleasant surprise when I went to LGA to find they re-did the food court. What do they have? A small gluten-free section which made me really happy. Props to Delta LGA terminal.

“Do the Spaniards have what it takes?”…we’ll see, won’t we

(From the June 2010 issue of Delta’s sky magazine)

Delta FAIL (again)!

I boarded the plane to fly home to nyc today. I was excited about the TV in front of my seat because that meant I would be able to watch the World Cup match this afternoon.

To my surprise and sadness, they got rid of their live TV feature! Shame on you Delta. I’m not going to pay $6 for your pre-selected “on-demand” bs.

I have to fly Delta (yes, haveto). They pretty much have a monopoly on my life. Meaning they are quite literally the only airline that flies into my hometown. Which is fine because I’m a medallion member.

I promised I wouldn’t vent too much about the fiasco yesterday but what I will say is I was on the phone with 5 different customer service reps, over the course of a few hours. They would not admit wrong doing until I threatened the power of reviews on the interwebs. It was beyond frustrating.

Oh well, I’m home now…home as in nyc. Thought I’d post my travel outfit from yesterday as well.

dress: anthropologie, necklace: anthro, watch: again, from the 80s, shoes: nicole

I’m back in the air again. For those that fly Delta, there is an article on Morocco. My flight was too early (6am…uggh) but I’m looking forward to reading it on the way home.