Getting There

I left the office at 4:45pm on Friday, Dec. 12th during the holiday season, a rough-time traffic-wise. The World Trade Center Path Station just opened last month having been closed for two years. I was on a Newark-bound train (cost $1.50 one-way) at exactly 5:00pm and pulled into Newark’s Penn Station at 5:20pm. I went outside to catch a cab to the airport; although I was early enough to catch the local Newark bus (cost $1.10 one-way). Had to wait about 5 minutes, then an available taxi pulled up and I jumped in (cost $14 one-way). I was at the Continental Elite check-in @ 5:40pm. I then went to the front of the security line (another Continental Elite perk) and was putting my shoes back on at 5:50pm. 65 minutes from my office door to having cleared security on a Friday at rush hour. Not bad at all.

The plane was leaving from Terminal C, my favorite with the Gallagher’s Steak House. I was seated in the back of the restaurant, overlooking the planes at the gates. I had a really great meal – Onion Soup, Caesar Salad, Steak Sandwich and Fries, Iced Tea. Total was $32 before tip – gave him $40 and said keep the change because the service was perfect. Only thing I didn’t like was the fact that they are forced to use plastic knives because the restaurant is located past security. The waiter told me they’re not allowed to have corkscrews either, all wines are opened on the other side of security! But you no longer have to show ID in terminal C with your boarding pass as you board domestically. Personally I think that airport security is just window dressing and if someone wants to get through, they’ll get through. But I’ll post that on www.flyertalk.com Now back to the story at hand.

I finished up my meal at 6:50pm and went right to the gate as they were boarding. Went to the front of the line again, put my coat and bag in the overhead bin and got ready for take-off. I also brought with me one of those neck pillows ($15.95 at Century 21). Guys – if you don’t have one, buy one. Makes a big difference in getting comfortable and being able to sleep. The plane was a 767-400 with a 2-3-2 configuration. If you sit in the 2 section, you are virtually guaranteed of getting a seat-mate. But I booked an aisle in the center 3 section where someone had already booked the other aisle. Since this is in the elite seating and they give out middle seats from the back to front on Continental (or are supposed to) you will only have someone sitting next to you if they are alone and come on at the last-minute on a sold-out flight. My lucky seat has been 19D. Worked like a charm – middle seat was open. Row 16 is the first row in coach and that usually means babies in bassinets, but my snoring usually keeps people awake more than any crying baby. Hey, I’m not on the flight to make friends.

We had a great tail-wind – total flying time was only 6 and a half hours, but we left 45 minutes late (always do on Friday night – runway traffic) and were in a holding pattern for 40 minutes above Frankfurt, so we wound up at the gate at 9:30am, 15 minutes late. I got about three hours sleep, ok for such a short flight. They just glanced at my passport and waved me through and I walked though Customs to the arrival hall. Redwinger was waiting for me, having gotten into Frankfurt the night before. We exchanged pleasantries and he handed me two nice bottles of wine from Italy. We went upstairs to the Sixt Car Rental Counter and waited several minutes to see an agent. When it was my turn, everything was in order and 5 minutes later we were heading downstairs to get the car. There it was: the Mercedes CLK – very sleek looking. We put our bags in the trunk and headed out of the parking garage. The adventure was now underway.

Wallstreet, I'm beginning to think that SE Asia will soon lose you to Europe Two trips in as many months right? Great for you. As much as I travel, I've not been to Germany yet, but you're whetting my interest a plenty with your reports.

My question is whether the FKKs have a good number of the "spinner" types? Also, I hear many Brasileras and Colombianas are there also, did you notice this?

It's also been my experience that on the 767, the middle section aisle is always a good bet. If I travel in tandem, we always target the asile seats and a majority of times the middle seat remains vacant, especially, like you said, if you sit up front. Also, on the 767, if you do upgrade, they have one seat by itself in the middle which is really cool. They use 767 to PI from LA and its a joy to fly out there.

Merlin,

Not a chance that SEA wins out over Germany in the long run. It's just the distance that allows me to do Germany for a three-day weekend. Proximity to Germany is one of the very few hobbying advantages accorded to those of us who live on the East Coast.

IMHO a club like Atlantis has enough of every type to satisfy every desire. There were many Brasileras, and I can confirm talking to at least two Colombianas and even one Cuban! It's the United Nations of Sex. On the second day I went away from the tall goddesses and did a couple of spinners - variety being the spice of life and all.

Thanks for your detailed report so far. I especially like the details on renting a car and other things. I find comforts like rental cars, nice hotels are ALMOST as important as the girls. You East Coast guys are lucky to get such cheap fares and are close distance wise to European destinations.

I'll hit German some time next year. Should be a fun trip. Thanks.

GF:

I totally agree that the comforts of a nice car and hotel are an important part of the package. That's why I upgraded to a Mercedes CLK when I saw the price. It's also why I really like Thailand. You can stay in a hotel suite that would cost $500 - up elsewhere for under $100.

There are two things that make me envious of the West Coast - proximity to Asia and that sporting events start 3 hours earlier.

Much better weather too!