Travel Diary -St Louis
Posted on July 28, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized
Alright, dust off the suitcase, pick out a paperback, we’re on the road this week, heading to the Gateway to the West; St Louis. I’ve been to St Louis a few times and normally I wouldn’t be all that enthused about it, but with temps in Phoenix this week hanging around 115, suddenly a little mid-west hospitality sounds about right. High temps in St Louis are supposed to be in the mid 80’s. Sure it might be humid, but vs dry and scorching, I’ll take it.
After not traveling for a while the packing went surprisingly smooth, after all these years, I think I could do it my sleep, and probably have. With light traffic and no line at security I made it to the gate with ample time for a Starbucks stop. So far, so good.
Southwest -when you fly Southwest, you know several things going in; 1. you want to be in the ‘A’ boarding group. Southwest has turned it into their version of First Class. Thankfully with Business Select tickets, it’s automatic, 2. you desperately are hoping against a full flight, and 3. you’d better eat before your flight or bring something with you because outside of crackers and peanuts, you’ll get nothing and like it from the flight attendants, although they tend to be a friendly bunch. So with my A3 boarding pass, I pick out a window seat and wait patiently. I get my row-mate on the aisle, we continue to hold our collective breath. Just as the doors close and I figure our middle seat will stay empty…surprise an old guy shows up in our row from the back of the plane. The back of the plane? Wtf? While he wasn’t a fat old guy or smelly, he was that old guy who insisted on riding the armrest and making sure we touched as much as possible during the three hour flight…Great!
A little Mid-west flavor - With a short ride to the hotel, I had time to take in a little local scenery, here’s a sampling:
- Billboard featuring a terrified looking boyscout type with the following caption: ‘I promise not to move firewood’. -No idea what that means
- Billboard featuring creepy looking middle aged man with the following caption: ‘Wanted for sexual crimes Bruse Swifford’. I guess this is common in St Louis?
- Local talk radio show with a rigorous debate on favorite childhood snacks. Here’s a partial list:
- Saltines soaked in milk, and eaten with a spoon. -Yes, evidently they eat this here.
- Bread with butter and jelly- Um…OK, but why not add some peanut butter?
- Something with Chilli and peanut butter. See above only reverse.
All this wrapped up with a discussion of what ‘Chilli con carne’ was. The consensus being that it meant it had macaroni in it. I’m so not kidding here. Evidently Spanish is all that common, but doesn’t anyone watch Dora the Explorer?
So there you have it. I’m now tucked into my cozy room here at the Hilton debating room service or explore the great unknown. It’s a too-up, but I think I’m going exploring. Wish me luck.
Until next time…
Wanted for sexual crimes Bruse Swifford w/pic
‘I used to eat saltines in a coffee cup when I couldn’t sleep’
ok not sure why I totally love these travel updates, but keep em coming… too funny the scenery…
secondly…”been to St Louis a few times and normally I wouldn’t be all that enthused about it”… what!?!?! home of the Rams, you have to be enthused!!