Post by em on Feb 18, 2007 10:13:45 GMT
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Travel drama and Rudolph…
Current mood: giddy
Category: Travel and Places
My recent month-long Estonia stay was truly a delight. Apart from the sub-zero temperatures that were pretty constant through out the full four weeks, I haven't had such a solid amount of down time to be reflective, revived and at the same time blessed with the opportunity to perform. The talent of the other soloists, the orchestra and the entire production crew was top-notch and of the highest level of professionalism. The hotel staff at the Savoy (in Tallinn) made my lengthy stay feel like I was coming home after each performance in the various cities where we were performing. Also, I made some new friends, toured some beautiful and historical churches and museums as well as had some brilliant wines. Life doesn't get much better. During the flight home, however, is where the bliss began to end.
The flight pattern home consisted of two legs-- a quick 30min trip over the Baltic Sea into Helsinki; a change of planes into New York's JFK. After landing in Helsinki, however, our one hour layover turned into three due to technical problems with the aircraft. Then after the eight hour flight into NYC, all gates were occupied with grounded planes due to weather—making it impossible for us to deplane. As a matter of fact, our plane sat out on the tarmac for over three hours. So the 8 hours of flying turned into more than a 13 hour crusade home. Travelers on American Flight 181 weren't happy at all.
The one redeeming thing about the Finnair flight from Helsinki to New York was the food and beverage options. Now, I don't eat red meat very often—even as much as I truly love it—but there was an item being offered that I couldn't pass up trying. Believe it or not, reindeer (smoked reindeer to be specific) was served as a starter during the late-lunch menu. Never having had the opportunity to taste reindeer before, I couldn't pass it up. Let me just say, if you do eat red meat, you MUST try it!! It was very lean and very flavorful—not at all the gamy flavour that I was expecting. Sliced thin like prosciutto, it was truly delightful. (In the end, I requested 2 servings of the reindeer starter and passed on the three quite heavy options being served as mains.) Pairing Rudolph with a few glasses of a fantastic spanish red (J & F Lurton, '01 Excelencia) was most likely the only thing that kept me sane during the three hour sit-down on the tarmac at JFK.
Unfortunately, the travel issues didn't end there. The following day I was scheduled to visit my best friend in Los Angeles. But, even after checking with weather.com from the moment I woke—finding all planes set for on-time departures—I arrived at the airport only to find that all flights out of New York to LA canceled. So, as soon as I arrived at JFK, I quickly found myself loading my bags right back into a taxi and on my way back to my apartment. Hoping on my mobile in the cab to get the next available ticket out, I was gutted to find out that the earliest I could get to LA wouldn't be until 2 days later.
So, that's where I am tonite. I leave again in the a.m., crossing my fingers that I'll actually be able to get to LAX w/o any further drama. Your prayers are greatly appreciated! --i'm dying to get to LA!!!
Currently listening :
Hopes and Fears
By Keane
Release date: By 25 May, 2004
Travel drama and Rudolph…
Current mood: giddy
Category: Travel and Places
My recent month-long Estonia stay was truly a delight. Apart from the sub-zero temperatures that were pretty constant through out the full four weeks, I haven't had such a solid amount of down time to be reflective, revived and at the same time blessed with the opportunity to perform. The talent of the other soloists, the orchestra and the entire production crew was top-notch and of the highest level of professionalism. The hotel staff at the Savoy (in Tallinn) made my lengthy stay feel like I was coming home after each performance in the various cities where we were performing. Also, I made some new friends, toured some beautiful and historical churches and museums as well as had some brilliant wines. Life doesn't get much better. During the flight home, however, is where the bliss began to end.
The flight pattern home consisted of two legs-- a quick 30min trip over the Baltic Sea into Helsinki; a change of planes into New York's JFK. After landing in Helsinki, however, our one hour layover turned into three due to technical problems with the aircraft. Then after the eight hour flight into NYC, all gates were occupied with grounded planes due to weather—making it impossible for us to deplane. As a matter of fact, our plane sat out on the tarmac for over three hours. So the 8 hours of flying turned into more than a 13 hour crusade home. Travelers on American Flight 181 weren't happy at all.
The one redeeming thing about the Finnair flight from Helsinki to New York was the food and beverage options. Now, I don't eat red meat very often—even as much as I truly love it—but there was an item being offered that I couldn't pass up trying. Believe it or not, reindeer (smoked reindeer to be specific) was served as a starter during the late-lunch menu. Never having had the opportunity to taste reindeer before, I couldn't pass it up. Let me just say, if you do eat red meat, you MUST try it!! It was very lean and very flavorful—not at all the gamy flavour that I was expecting. Sliced thin like prosciutto, it was truly delightful. (In the end, I requested 2 servings of the reindeer starter and passed on the three quite heavy options being served as mains.) Pairing Rudolph with a few glasses of a fantastic spanish red (J & F Lurton, '01 Excelencia) was most likely the only thing that kept me sane during the three hour sit-down on the tarmac at JFK.
Unfortunately, the travel issues didn't end there. The following day I was scheduled to visit my best friend in Los Angeles. But, even after checking with weather.com from the moment I woke—finding all planes set for on-time departures—I arrived at the airport only to find that all flights out of New York to LA canceled. So, as soon as I arrived at JFK, I quickly found myself loading my bags right back into a taxi and on my way back to my apartment. Hoping on my mobile in the cab to get the next available ticket out, I was gutted to find out that the earliest I could get to LA wouldn't be until 2 days later.
So, that's where I am tonite. I leave again in the a.m., crossing my fingers that I'll actually be able to get to LAX w/o any further drama. Your prayers are greatly appreciated! --i'm dying to get to LA!!!
Currently listening :
Hopes and Fears
By Keane
Release date: By 25 May, 2004
