JET BLUE had us seeing RED

A week ago today (Monday), Joy and I were driving from New York City to our home. No, we had planned on flying, but JET BLUE didn't cooperate.

On Sunday, I preached three Sunday services for a friend in Connecticut. Following the services we had a meal in a VERY authentic Italian restaurant... exceptional food.

We arrived at JFK airport at 6:30 PM and then the adventure began!

We arrived in good time at the airport for our 8:30 departure, checked our bags in and passed through security.

Upon arriving at our gate, the departure time was delayed to 10PM - "weather problems". No problem, Joy and I had plenty to read and there was plenty of people to watch!

The departure gate was changed and departure time bumped to 10:30…. then to 11:00 PM…. then to 11:30… 12AM and finally 12:15AM.
The plane on which we were scheduled to return had arrived at 10PM and they were preparing the plane for our trip – so they said.

At 12:15 we were informed the flight was canceled (must have run out of flight crews).
Not only our flight, but the earlier flight to Chicago was canceled.

We were told to return to check in and they would rebook us for the next available flight.
I called Jet Blue to try to circumvent the long walk and wait at the checkin counter.

After waiting 20 minutes for a live person, I was told the earliest they could book us was Tuesday PM! To say I was shocked is an understatement. I knew that to find a hotel in NYC would cost a minimum of 250-300 per night!

At that time we were waiting in a line of about 150 people. It was about 1:45 am and they said, we are shutting down the ticket counter. I couldn't believe they were leaving all those people hanging. They said someone would be there to help them at 3AM.

After calculating how much it would cost us to stay two days for a standby seat, calling several airlines (750 to 400 each for a one way ticket) and calling Amtrak – they had nothing available until August 11, I said to "Joy, we can rent a car and drive home in 12 hours." My exceptional wife said, "lets go for it."

We pulled out of Budget Car Rental's parking lot at 3:45AM and arrived home at 6PM.



So that is the latest adventure of Earl and Joy!

I communicated with Jet Blue to see what they had to say and as of one week later, I still have not heard a thing.

The news last night reported that they are in some kind of financial distress. In spite of our latest adventure, I really do like the airline. Mainly because they have much more leg room between the seats.

I just heard that Jet Blue is now going to charge 7.00 for a pillow and blanket on the flight. Hmmmm.......

Great Quote

Life is not about

waiting for the storms to pass by.

Life is about.. Learning to
dance in the rain!

Authentic

When I am in another country, I love to try as much of the authentic food as is possible.
How many remember the scene from Indiana Jones, the banquet scene...


What a great evening. We were taken to dinner at COM NIEU SAI GON - Vietnamese Gastronomy Restaurant.
It was a blast!
Back to Indiana Jones - a couple of the guys suggested that our meal may be similar to that.

One of the first things they brought out was a very small dish of very small and VERY hot peppers... YUP, you're right. I used my chopsticks and popped one in. OH MY WORD was it hot.
And nothing on the table with which to extinguish the FIRE.
It was an interesting sensation to feel it burn all through my mouth and gravitate on to my lips.... A couple of other brave souls tried it as well. About 15 minutes later, I had lost burn. Cool...



We did no ordering for ourselves. Our friends ordered for us. There was a lobster dish that was great. Barbeque pork (not at all like b'que in the USA), fried sticky rice, sliced beef over bean sprouts that tasted like radishes with tomato slices.

There was a rice dish that is baked encased in clay. They break the clay at the table side - sounds like breaking a dish - take out the baked rice and toss it across the room to a waiter that catches it on a plate! That must be the origination of the "throwed roll."

There were many other dishes... I tried them all. Some I enjoyed, some I.... well, left alone.

It ended with papaya.

All of that cost $150,000. per person. That is in their currency - dong. Equivalent of about 10 dollars.





Posted at 6:20 AM, Sunday, October 28

GOOD MORNING VIETNAM

My trip to Vietnam started in a somewhat unusual way.
As I passed through security at Terminal 3 at O'Hare, I noticed a kiosk, with two nurses standing there and a sign that stated "FLU SHOTS". I thought, "what an unusual place to be offering flu shots." I was early for my flight, so I pulled over, rolled up my sleeve and got my flu shot.

I arrived in San Francisco and 11:30 PM and met the other pastors and ministers and boarded our flight on to Taipei, Taiwan. I can heartily recommend EVA Air. That leg of the flight ended up being 13 hours.


One interesting feature was the screen on the back of the seat in front of you where you could keep yourself posted on the progress of the aircraft. This screen was when we were still 4,000 miles away and had 5 1/2 hours to go.


Looking at this screen caused me to realize just how close in proximity all of these nations and major cities are. Fascinating... at least to those who love maps and geography.

I need to go to bed. It is now 9:20 PM. It is exactly 12 hours different from Chicago. We are going to a church service in the AM. It is to be an eventful and historic service.

Also, I will blog tomorrow about the fabulous and interesting authentic Vietnamese meal we had tonight.

Good night America!

By the way, don't be confused by the time stamp. It is off because it is based on USA Central Standard Time. Also, it is rather challenging to use BLOGGER, all of the directions are in the Vietnamese language.
I think I did pretty well!

WILD ADVENTURE

I have to say that life right now really is a Wild Adventure.
You don't know what may be "waiting in the bushes."
But I have to say that I am ready! Armed, locked and loaded. Ya know what I mean!
I am ready for what God has next.
I have the greatest wife.
And there is nothing better than spending a day at 'bou with Joy.
Bring it on!!!!
You ain't seen nuttin' yet.