Loving Frequent Flier Miles

Once again, I’m loving frequent flier miles. The flights on this trip were paid for using my American Airlines frequent flier mile program and about $100 in cash. Not a bad deal for two business class tickets to from the US to Madrid, Spain.

Furthermore, I’d like to say a big “thank you” to all the friendly and helpful people at American Airlines. The cabin staff was fantastic on all flights. Of course, the pilots are professionals of the highest order, making nice landings, avoiding turbulence whenever possible, and personable to boot. Then, I enjoyed the Admirals Club in Miami with all its amenities.

Again, all this cost me $100 plus the miles, which were earned at no interest by using a credit card (carrying no balance) and the other flights I took on American. I’d call that a handsome reward for a bit of loyalty.

Of course it’s going to take me quite a while to accumulate another batch of miles for a trip like this. It’ll be worth it. (Starting tomorrow, I’ll have photos, videos, and zany blog commentary about this sojurn to Spain. All you’ve come to expect from The Bent Page, and more!)

Published in: on May 3, 2010 at 9:32 pm  Comments (1)  
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Good Shoes

There are some things you can skimp on, but shoes are not one of them. For more than two weeks, I’ve been walking over hill and dale, castle walls and cathedral steps. Thankfully, I have a decent pair of treads under my toes and heels. Without them, this journey would have been much less enjoyable. Seriously, don’t waste your money on cheap shoes. They’ll only let you down, literally and figuratively. After all, it’s your feet that take you where you want to go. Treat them right and you’ll arrive in style.

Here in Spain, shoes are an art form. Every imaginable shape and style is on display both in the shop windows and on the feet of the populace. Some streets feature 3, 4, even 5 shoes stores, sometimes one next to the other. This culture adorns their feet like no other that I’ve encountered. That said, I’ll venture a guess that not all of the respresented designs are as comfortable as they could be.

But after spending between 4 and 7 hours each day on the pair I have, I can reliably report they have passed the test.

Soon this blog will be filled with photos, video, and more from this voyage to Spain. Be patient. It’ll be worth the wait.

Published in: on May 1, 2010 at 7:32 am  Comments (1)  

Spare Bytes

No, this isn’t one of my many food posts. This is a friendly reminder that if you’re traveling, don’t forget to carry plenty of spare memory cards for your camera, computer, and video gear. During this trip to Spain, I brought a few extra memory units for each device. Gracias a dios! Because they came in handy.

I find with digital media, I take many more images than I would using film. There’s virtually no waste as they can be deleted later and the memory reused. If this were film, I’d have a suitcase full of exposed rolls and one large invoice for all the processing. Digial media is truly a bargain, especially when you consider the fleibility.

So, don’t skimp on those cards. Grab a few extras and let the cameras roll.

Published in: on April 26, 2010 at 6:58 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Learning the Language

There are many different languages around the world and learning one other than your own is an excellent exercise. It can be hard work. It can also be fun. I’ve been working on Spanish since high school, off and on. The best way to learn is by immersing yourself in the language. You don’t have to travel to a foreign country. You can read other language websites, watch movies, or go meet people who speak it fluently. You’ll be surprise how quickly words and phrases stick with you.

Plus, speaking the language of a particular culture is a better way to understand it. You’ll tap into the subtleties, the cuisine, the way of life in a way that is not possible without specific language skills.

Enjoy the journey.

Published in: on April 22, 2010 at 6:44 am  Leave a Comment  
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