chawen

Good day!

And greetings from the Air France lounge at LAX to which I was welcomed because I'm flying KLM Business Class. I did my time in steerage almost always sitting over the wing, so I couldn't see anything feeling cramped and uncomfortable--and I am a small adult! But the tickets were cheap and cheerful

Then I graduated to Premium Economy when I retired, which was a big step up in comfort, but now I have the bucks to treat myself to business class from time to time, and I am convinced I deserve it. Airport lounges are nice. There's a bar, a buffet, showers--anything a pampered traveler could want. I will be given booze on the plane and plenty of pretty fancy food, too, but I am having a soft drink and a snack of bread and cheese. When the time comes I will have about a five minute walk to the gate, where I will get priority boarding.

Und Gode Dag from Amsterdam!

I had a very nice flight and even got a few hours of sleep in the lie flat seat. There was much food and drink, starting out with the welcome glass of champagne then followed by nuts and gin and tonic, followed by lobster salad and white wine. The salad came with a nice roll and a pot of good Dutch butter--not the pathetic little foil packs that are practically frozen that one usually gets. Now that would have been dinner at home, but I also had some braised beef and vegetables and cheese and port for desert. I explained to the flight attendant that Porto was my final destination, so I had to practice. He and I had a nice chat about Portugal and what a pleasant place to visit it is. Charming chap. You will notice that all the flight attendants in Business are older, and, trust me, they know what they're doing. Not only is service efficient and friendly, the attendants make sure every passenger knows he, she, or otherwise is the most super special passenger ever. I like this!

I didn't care for the new design of the amenity kit. And the little bag is of no useful size. But I did acquire another cute little Dutch House. They are modeled after actual dwellings in Amsterdam. Here you go.

But then I had a giant hike to get to my gate for the trip to Porto, and my right foot decided to act up. Moreover, when I got to passport control, I was stuck behind two guys, who got questioned at length by the officer. One guy even had to hand over his phone. Of course, I breezed through. The officer was charming to me allaying any fears I had of hostility to U.S. Citizens.

I passed the fancy KLM Crown Lounge, but I didn't have time for a visit. Boarding is soon!

Bye for now