The Longest Travel Day

Christmas time is already a very busy travel season. Highways back up. Airports report long check-in lines. When a storm hits either the East or West Coast, you can expect long delays, missed connections and lots of frustrated passengers. The Christmas season allows for little error. 

With that backdrop, I embarked on what surely is the longest travel itinerary I attempted. Compared to some of my colleagues, I am hardly an experienced traveller. I typically fly a few times a year domestic, and make a few trips to Europe, and an occasional trip to visit my family in law in Argentina. I hope I have planned this trip well. Luckily my family was already at the destination in Argentina. So it was just myself making this crazy five-legged trip. 

I woke up very early, not knowing how busy the San Jose airport gets before Christmas. On Facebook, I read reports from friends across the US of long early lines, even early in the morning. I left my house at 3:30am. It ended up being too early. There was hardly anyone at San Jose International Airport. I sailed through check-in and security, and didn’t really need TSA Pre-Check. I was even too early for the San Jose Priority Pass lounge (more on the lounges later). 

My first flight took my to Dallas Forth Worth on American Airlines. Visiting the Dallas SkyClub lounge required going to another terminal using the Skylink train. 

After a three hours lay-over in Dallas, I boarded a large Boeing 777-200 plane to Miami. This plane shuttles passengers back and forth between both hubs of American Airlines. 

In Miami, I switched airlines to Latam, Chile’s airline and partner of American Airlines. I also had to switch from terminal C to terminal J. It is a good 15 minutes walk and you need to pass again through security. I had plenty of time in Miami. The third part of my trip took me from Miami to Santiago de Chile. After watching Forrest Gump (yet again), I was able to take a long nap. We arrived in Santiago at 8am local time. 

There are big plans for the airport in Santiago. Lots of cranes and lots of construction is underway. I didn’t have to go very far to catch my connecting flight to Mendoza, Argentina. By coincidence, I ran into friends from San Jose in the airport. They live 10 minutes from us in San Jose, and here, thousands of miles away, we meet again, as they travel to Cordoba. 

The short plane ride from Santiago de Chile to Mendoza was the most impressive ride. It took you over the Andes mountain range - La Cordillera de los Andes - with its highest peak, the Aconcagua, nearby. It is hard to tell which peak is the Aconcagua. All I know is that it looms over the city of Mendoza, and it has to be one of the ones I snap a picture of. I was lucky to get a window seat at the back of the plane ... click ... click ... taking pictures of this ... click ... most incredible landscape. 

Arriving in Argentina through Mendoza International airport, rather than Ezeiza airport in Buenos Aires, was a much more relaxed passage. It was quick and less chaotic. In 15 minutes, I passed immigration and was outside with my luggage. My brother in law took me to his home for a few hours of rest, before I embark on my final trip to San Luis by bus. 

The trip to San Luis took about four hours, as you pass along the dry scrub landscape of the province of San Luis. 

A little over 34 hours since I left my house in San Jose, I finally arrive at my destination. I am amazed I didn’t miss a single connection or that my luggage didn’t get lost along the way. 

Living the lounge life

This many stops would have been much more difficult, if I wasn’t able to rest at the Priority Pass lounges. Through Chase Sapphire Reserve Visa card, I have access to the Priority Pass lounges in San Jose, Dallas, Miami and many other places. It is a perfect place to relax in a comfortable seat, have a coffee, a glass of champagne, and eat some soup and a sandwich. The best of it all is a relaxed environment, free Wifi, and a glass of wine, while you read a book or catch up on email. 

Traveling light

Prior to embarking on this trip, I did think hard and long about my luggage. I checked one large duffel bag and packed a light backpack, which fits under the seat in front of me. I didn’t have to worry about being early in line to find a place in the overhead compartment. All I had to do was show up on time for my flight. In my backpack I have the following gear: 

• Kindle 
• iPad mini and bluetooth keyboard
• Anker five-in-one USB charger and cables
• Anker battery pack
• Small toilet bag, with toothbrush, toothpaste,  mouthwash, lipbalm, socks, eye-cover, earplugs, and small first aid kit. 
• Notebook
• Jacket (in case the air-conditioning is too cold)
• Sunglasses, and case for my glasses. 
• Mints
• Passport and copy of my itinerary
• Small nylon bag in case I need extra space. 

I do feel lucky that my entire trip went without a hick-up. Three hour lay-overs may it a very long travel day, but provide also the necessary buffer in case something goes awry. Access to a lounge is a plus. In two weeks, I will do the reverse trip. 

That weekend when Chicago tried to seduce us

I imagined Chicago as being in your face, just like its mayor Rahm Emmanuel. I imagined it as notorious, just like the Chicago Bears, or like one of its most infamous citizens, Al Capone. I imagined it harsh, like its cold wind-swept winters. As the nation’s murder capital, I imagined it brutal and crime ridden.

On this fall trip, Chicago showed us a much different picture. It was as if the city got its nails done, put some red lipstick and had put on that special sexy lingerie, ready to seduce a family from California.

The weather was wonderful: full sun, barely a cloud in the sky and very little humidity to speak of. We are used to putting on a sweater at night in Northern California. Not here, the temperature at 11pm was balmy. What harsh Chicago weather are people talking about? The Windy City? Our biggest concern was not to forget to throw a light sweater into our backpack for when the air-conditioning was set too high.

We stayed at the Inter Continental Hotel on the Magnificent Mile. This hotel used to be a famous athletic club in the old days. The executive tower has great architectural details and a wonderful pool. The hotel is centrally located, and on the most beautiful and luxurious avenue of the city: Michigan Avenue. It was great to stroll down the street and ride the elevator of the John Hancock Center to the 94th floor to get an awesome 360 degree panoramic view of the city. The old Tribune building is next door to the hotel, and we are only a few blocks from the iconic river walk.

The city wanted us to see all its beauty: from the lake, the prohibition era buildings, the Millennium park, with the Buckingham fountain, the Bean, the face fountain and wonderful city skyline. We sat on the beaches of Lake Michigan, and rode city bikes along the shoreline to the Navy Pier. We even geeked out and went downstairs the Chase tower to the Chase auditorium in downtown Chicago. Fans of Peter Sagal and NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me know what I am talking about.

During our stay, we also ventured North to visit Loyola Chicago University, and NorthWestern University in the posh Evanston college town. Both are really great, yet pricey, institutions. The North of Chicago appears upscale, green and mostly caucasian. We didn’t dare to venture to the South Side. After all, Chicago is still the murder capital of the US.

If we weren’t impressed yet, it was time to sit down and eat. A Chicago-style pizza pie at Giordano’s is a must. Pause your calorie counter for a few days. This is a wonderfully tasting cheese-pie, topped with a yummy tomato sauce. Calling it a pizza is a stretch. Though I wouldn’t want to debate a Chicago native on the subject of their deep dish pizza. If Chicago calls it a pizza, it is a pizza. The Bay Area is hardly a pizza reference: we ruined it by putting Broccoli on pizza, remember?

We continued our food travels with a great brunch at Hot Chocolate in Wicker Park. (It is near the 606, a train track converted into a walk and bicycle route). Sunday evening, we sat down for a nice steak at Michael Jordan’s steakhouse adjacent to the hotel. Yes, his royal fly-ness Michael Jordan. The Purple Pig on the Magnificent Mile is a great and popular tapa place.

Coffeeshops are a plenty in Chicago, from the big chains like Starbucks and Peet’s to the mom and pop owned corner coffeeshops.

Before heading back to O’Hare airport, we had to stop by Portillo’s for a classic Chicago jumbo dog. We were surrounded by Bear fans, as they headed to the home game against the Seattle Seahawks.

During our visit Chicago surely put it’s best foot forward. There was no traffic. We felt safe. People were nice and friendly. The weather and food were great. The view of the lake is stunning. People everywhere were active, and running, swimming or bicycling. We loved it here.

Nashville

I was not ready for the wall of music which hits you when you stroll down Lower Broadway in Nashville. I was visiting to recruit brilliant computer science students at Vanderbilt University. Tuesday night, we were scheduled to attend an engineering SLAM, a mix of poetry SLAM and mingle event with engineering students. Wednesday was the big career fair.

After a long day traveling from the West Coast, and the evening SLAM session at the university, I was hungry for dinner. It was a Tuesday night, and we decided to walk a few blocks from our hotel to downtown area to find a place to eat. That's when it hit me: a half of mile of bars, many with multiple levels and multiple stages. 

On this Tuesday, on every stage the next country band is auditioning for the unknown scout in the audience. Here it is American Idol every day. What a party! The next evening, on Wednesday it was no different. Again, on every stage there is a great band of musicians holding court and entertaining the Nashville hot chicken or bbq eating patrons. 

We went to Ole Red's, to James Aldaen's place, to Luke Bryan's place and peaked into many more: Legends Corner, Tootsie's, Dixie Land, Honky Tonk Central. Climb a few floors and you get a great view of the city from the roof top patios and bars. The bridge, the Predators' ice hockey stadium, the Tennessee Titan's Nissan football stadium, the AT&T "batman" building, the hustle and bustle on Broadway. Nashville downtown is quite compact and lots is happening in a square mile.

I knew this was the country music capital of the world. Until you experience it, you don't realize how big the music scene is. Anybody who wants to be somebody in country music has to record in Nashville. You made it if you played on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. I didn't get to visit the Grand altar, even though on that night it promised to be a fun evening with Rascal Flatts and co performing.

Beyond the music, I was impressed how friendly and nice everybody is in Nashville. What a pleasant place! The Lyft and Uber drivers are super nice, and yes, they do pick you up in their pick-ups (unlike the hybrid Honda Civic in the Bay Area). And of course, there is the sweltering heat. It was hot (high nineties) and humid. And the temperature isn't really dropping at night. I was amazed to see the Vanderbilt running teams practice in the middle of the day.

I didn't know what to expect from Nashville. Surely the city surprised me pleasantly.

Exploring Seattle

A few observations from our recent trip to the emerald city. 

• A visit to the Space Needle is overrated. You get a much better view of the Seattle skyline from Kerry Park, from the Gas Park or when going over the bridge to West Seattle. If you do want the memory, combine it with a visit to the Dale Chihuly glass sculptures.
• It is true: coffeeshops are literally everywhere, and not in Starbucks kind of way. Independent coffeeshops seem to be dominating the green mermaid from Seattle.
• Bicycles are everywhere, including the many dockless shared-bikes. This is especially surprising for a US city with this much rain every year. Are the cyclists of Seattle related to the true Flandriens?
• I was impressed by the campus of the University of Washington, home of the Huskies. Rent a bicycle to ride around the campus.
• Not surprisingly, this town is all about airplanes. A visit to the Boeing factory in Everett is unique. Spending half a day in the Museum of Flight, South of Seattle at Boeing Field, is a must for every avionics fanatic. Where else can you see the Saturn F1 engine, the moon rover, the Space Shuttle trainer, a Concord, the first Boeing 747, Airforce One, a Boeing 787, and the magnificent Lochkeed M21 Blackbird with D21 drone all under one roof. There are plenty more planes to admire. I could have spent multiple days in this museum.
• The gum wall is a tourist trap. Pike place is cute, though many cities have a similar market. Perhaps just with less fish. The waterfront and Pioneer square are a great photo opportunity, and only need a small amount of time to explore.
• Seattle and the neighboring cities, like Bellevue, strike me very livable. Drive around the various neighborhoods of Seattle.
• the upscale Queen Ann, where we stayed at the Maxwell Hotel. (Parking in the downtown hotels is very expensive.)
• Seattle Center with the Space Needle, various musea and venues and the monorail taking you to downtown's stores.
• the shopping district with the first Nordstrom
• Pike Place Market
• the Waterfront with Bell street pier, the ferris wheel and the ferries
• Belltown with trendy stores and nightclubs
• South Lake Union near Lake Union and the float plane airport
• Ballard
• Fremont with Gas Works park and the troll under the bridge
• the University district around the University of Washington
• Capitol Hill, although we learned there is no capitol building on Capitol Hill.
• Pioneer Square, the oldest part of the town.
• SoDo -South of the King Dome - with the NFL Seahawks and MLB Mariners stadiums. However the number 12, for the Seahawks' 12th man on the field, is everywhere: on buildings, on flags, in bars. Being a 49er fan, I didn't want to show my true red and gold colors.
• West Seattle with Alki beach provides a great view of the skyline; when it doesn't rain that is.
• We loved the food and drinks of Seattle. Many great places to eat. We thought it was overall expensive to eat in Seattle. Next time, we'll plan more trips the QFC supermarket. 

Here are a few photos from our trip.