33/365: First Champagne on the Last Flight

33/365: First Champagne on the Last Flight, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Getting back from Africa was a 48 hour nightmare, starting from a KLM flight that took off, flew for an hour then turned back to Arusha and dumped us in an airport hotel. Then we were given new flights, only to find that I was being routed through Paris and my mother was routed through Amsterdam. After much anguish and the help of the gals at Ethiopian Airlines, we both got routed through Addis Ababa to Paris. Only to arrive in Paris and find out that my mother was expected to be in Amsterdam and there was no flight for her. Much pleading in high school French and we were finally put on the same plane. But there was only one Business Class seat and one Premium Economy. I know I'm going straight to Hell, but I sent my mother back to Economy since she always hates airline food and service no matter where she flies. And I sure needed that never ending champagne once we were on a flight I knew would finally take us back to San Francisco.

22/365: Champagne

22/365: Champagne, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Into our second leg of about a 48 hour flight to Africa. I'm helping my 80 year old mother fulfill her bucket list to go on Safari. I convinced her we should splash out and go First Class/Business Class. My rational was that it would be safer and more comfortable for an octogenarian with two artificial knees. My ulterior motive is that I knew I'd need a lot of alcohol to get my mother through three trips through customs and onto three flights.

The story here: leftcoastcowboys.com/2013/01/22/queen-of-sheba-packing/

21/365: A Toast!

21/365: A Toast!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Did I mention I'm taking my 80 year old mother to Africa on safari. Well, it's not a safari like you might think of it. It's a safari suitable for an octogenarian with two artificial knees.

Although the most grueling thing I think we'll encounter are my struggles with getting my mother -- who is a very strong willed character with decided ideas about "Darkest Africa" -- to pack light. No matter. Once the champagne starts flowing in the First Class cabin, all is forgiven.

The story here:

leftcoastcowboys.com/2013/01/22/queen-of-sheba-packing/