I Love Airline Food!

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to post this one. I was on my way to Aruba, flying the friendly skies of American Airlines. They have been my transportation provider of choice for years now, especially to Aruba. On the first leg of the flight, we took off at six in the morning. Naturally, breakfast was served. Here’s a look at what we enjoyed:

In the first place, that omelet was perfect, the eggs fluffy, not dry nor runny. The potatoes were cooked exactly right. The salsa added a bit of zing to an otherwise average breakfast option. The fruit was also perfectly ripe, ready to be eaten with sweet goodness and nutrition. Then, there was a bagel, not the greatest one I’ve had, but considering it came from an airplane galley re-heater, was just fine.

Hence, the result can be seen below:

Yes, mom, I ate everything. If my wife hadn’t closely guarded her plate, I would have eaten hers, too. That makes her angry, so I don’t risk it much anymore.

People like to complain about airline food, and I understand the urge to whine, especially if they remember the good old days. However, consider that the food must be prepared mostly ahead of the flight, re-heated in a galley the size of a closet, and served in conditions that are less than ideal. Add to these challenges, the fact that the primary responsibility of flight attendants is for YOUR SAFETY and you’re left with a situation that leaves much to be desired in the culinary department. Nonetheless, my belly is full, and after wrangling my cat through security, I’ll sleep well on the balance of this flight.

Then, on the second segment, the one that takes me from Miami to Aruba, there is only one thing to do. That’s right, enjoy an ICE-COLD Coca Cola at 35,000 feet.

It’s the real thing no matter what your altitude, latitude, or attitude. So put your seat back, relax, and enjoy flight. We’ll be there in no time. And where we’re going is literally, “Paradise, but not for amateurs,” if I may quote from my own book. Are you ready?

Published in: on July 8, 2008 at 12:38 pm  Comments (2)  
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Aruba, Island Approach

Here is a photo taken from American Airlines flight 1047, MIA to AUA:

How about those blue waters below? Actually, I think they’re more turquoise than blue, but who’s keeping track of the colors. I’m on final approach to my favorite island, one that I’ve been visiting for about 15 years. It all started when a friend of mine invited me to Aruba to take a look at a business idea. From there, it become a regular pilgrimage to this place in the Caribbean.

Aruba is one of those mixed up places in the world. It maintains “status aparte” from Holland but is nominally a Dutch island. The people speak several languages, including Papiamento which is a combination of several others. The island is close enough to South America for there to be a large Spanish-speaking population, yet there are a number of Europeans in residence as well. And then there are the Americans, everything from expats who grew up there during the boom years of the Esso refinery to vacationers and pensioners simply looking for reliable sunshine.

Either way, Aruba offers the visitor fabulous beaches, excellent dining options, plenty of opportunity to do nothing or stay out all day and night. Thanks to its friendly people and the aforementioned activities, it has the highest number of repeat visitors in the Caribbean. And it should. I’ve been many places in this world, but few are as welcoming as Aruba.

Published in: on July 7, 2008 at 11:30 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Hurricane Season

Hurrican Season is off to a good start with two named storms already. Bertha is plunging across the Atlantic in search of a target. One of the reasons I like Aruba so much is that the island is south of the hurricane track. In a worst case, it receives the back spin of a storm passing to the north, as is illustrated in my novel, An Island Away. Even that is a rarity. Miami, on the other hand, gets hit on a regular basis, although not lately. Below is a photo from a hurricane that struck the city in September of 1926. The photographer jokingly calls the beach the new “drydock.”

That’s a decent size ship there on the left and a barge on the right. The motor launch at the far left does have the look of a rum runner, doesn’t it? I could see Hemingway on her, or maybe a bunch of guys steaming up from Cuba with cigars, bootleg booze, and a story to tell. Those were the days. And to think the smugglers of today think they invented something new. The only difference is they use airplanes.

Anyway, calm weather gives the good sailor a chance to repair. So be sure to keep an eye on the weather. Don’t ignore hurricane warnings. These storms are among the most powerful on earth and once they are upon you it is too late. There’s no place to hide. As far as smuggling goes, well, if it’s material for a good story, I might be inclined to listen. Send me a note about what you’ve been up to. Thanks.

Published in: on July 7, 2008 at 7:10 pm  Comments (2)  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

A View of the Battery and Beyond

I posted those other photos of New York City, the ones of Grand Central and such. I couldn’t resist this one, taken in 1902 looking at New York Harbor from the end of Manhattan. There are so many details in this photo that it would take hours to catalog them all. First, take a look at the image.

Of course the Battery, is just left of center. Beyond the Battery is the Statue of Liberty. Turning to the right, you’ll see Ellis Island. Between the Battery and the Statue of Liberty, note the tugboat steaming along, towing a barge just behind it. In the foreground you see terminals for ferries going to Coney Island and Staten Island. Then there is the warehouse-like structure for the Pennsylvania Railroad. The park leading up to the Battery looks immaculate, as do those carriages on the wide boulevard that fronts it.

This must have been quite a time in New York. Things have changed but the Battery is still there. Ellis Island is now a tourist attraction. The Statue of Liberty is ringed with security.

I remember during my first few weeks of film school at New York University, I was given an assignment to take documentary photographs of a permanent structure. I trotted from Washington Square to the World Trade Center, camera and tripod in tow. I set up at the edge of the plaza and took a 360 degree panorama of the scene. I didn’t realize it at the time but I captured the completion of the World Financial Center, which is built on land that did not exist when the photo above was taken. The trailers from the construction companies were still there but this was the very end of the job. After the events of that fateful September, I found this series of photos on my shelves. The negatives (this was in the days of film) are in good condition. I’ll have to find a lab to make the prints and stitch that photo together again. It’ll feel the same as looking at the above photo, and yet it’s only twenty two years later.

Published in: on July 6, 2008 at 9:26 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »