Is TPOL Going to The World Cup?

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Is TPOL Going to The World Cup?

TPOL is a lover of sports and going to sports events throughout the world (see Stadium Guide). The best sports event in the world is the World Cup. The worst location for it to be held is Doha, Qatar. I have been there once before as part of my $77,000 Trip Heard Round the World), a trip that prompted me to start this blog 8 years ago (see Simply The Best: TPOL Turned 8), and again as part of Iraq Homecoming Trip Report. The latter is also a round-the-world trip (see 25,000 Mile RTW Trip Including Iraq Booked!), which is still ongoing as I booked a separate return flight on Qatar Airways (see QSuites: The Best Business Class Flight?) than the EgyptAir flight included in the round-the-world itinerary. The reason for the extended open jaw is two-fold: 1. There weren’t any award flights in May 2022 across the Pacific back to the US, a requirement for an ANA round the world booking (see Booked! ANA RTW: 22,000 Miles in Glorious Business). 2. I promised myself after the last World Cup that I would not be a fool and miss another World Cup, something that I have done since my first World Cup in 1994 (TPOL wasn’t blogging from the Pontiac Silverdome when he was 12 to reference a post). Unfortunately, this World Cup is in one of the most boring places on earth and is promoting itself accordingly (see 7-year jail for one-night stands? Qatar issues stern no-sex regulation for fans during World Cup). Along with the prohibition on random sex, there is also a prohibition on partying. While I respect the rules of every country wherever I go, I don’t see why, cynical reasons notwithstanding, a strict country would want to host the world’s greatest orgy party and why, cynical reasons notwithstanding, a country would be awarded the honor of doing so. It reminds me of the first time I visited Macau on Halloween (see The Worst Cities in the World). We were expecting a Vegas party but found ourselves in the world’s quietest casino watching millionaires drop 25k chips on blackjack without so much as a cheer or jeer regardless of the outcome. Despite the incongruency of a World Cup celebration and a conservative country, the energy of the event is something to behold. That was why at 3:45AM on July 5th, 2022, I set my alarm to purchase tickets sharply at 4AM. Jail sentence threats notwithstanding, the demand for tickets was still there and I anticipated that they would sell out quickly. At 4AM, I had multiple browsers open and my credit card in hand. But, instead of a mad dash of clicking at the stroke of cuatro, I received this message: a screenshot of a football ticket One hour later I was here: a screenshot of a computer screen Seven hours later after going to sleep, I woke up to this:

a screenshot of a computer
As you can see, it was 6 degrees hotter in Puerto Rico.
Finally, at noon, I was let in. I scrambled to buy two tickets for my first choice: USA v. England. They were sold out. I tried to get tickets to Brazil v. Mexico, the day after. Those were also gone. I started clicking randomly to see what was available. Of course, Canada v. anyone was there. I clicked off of that page straight away. Costa Rica v. Japan was on sale. I had no interest. Distraught, I went to the bottom of the page to see if there were tickets to the finals. There were not. Semifinals? Nope. Quarters? None. By process of elimination, I found tickets to a knockout stage game. It was 1H v 2G at 22:00. With no other choices, Canada v. World notwithstanding, I hit ‘add to cart’ and proceeded to check out. Moments later, I received this: a purple and white logoI did not celebrate. The first thing I did was go back and double-check the conversion rate between the Qatari Rial and the USD. Phew, 2000 QAR is only $549. In my hurry to procure tickets, I had hoped that I did not miss a Michael Bolton decimal point. The second thing I did was look at the prospective match-up of 1H v 2G. They are as follows:

  • Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
  • Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
My hope is that Brazil will continue to have a less than stellar World Cup outing and come in second. A match-up against Uruguay or Portugal could be compelling. But who knows, the story of the tournament may be Ghana, the United State’s nemesis, and the normally neutral Swiss side. Exhausted, I closed my laptop. I did not have buyer’s remorse nor did I have World Cup excitement. All I had were tickets to a game whose opponents are TBD. As for where I would stay in Doha or how I am going to get there, that is also TBD. #HayyaHayya

Lot Airlines: Terrible Transit in Warsaw

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Lot Airlines: Terrible Transit in Warsaw

LOT Transit is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.

The ground logistics for LOT are awful. It was a nightmare leaving JFK (see LOT JFK-WAW: It’s How You Finish), and it was not simple to transit in WAW. Because of the unexplained delay in JFK, I only had one hour to make my connection to Tallinn, Estonia. I was concerned when we landed in Warsaw because the plane taxied to the outskirts of the terminal. I assumed that a big flight from New York City to the capital of Poland was worthy of a jet bridge. It was not. Instead, we waited for transport to arrive. One gentleman was lucky enough to have a Volvo transport. The rest of us, business and coach alike, were crammed into a bus. Though the first bus was full and despite being tardy, the bus did not move. When it finally did, we were stuck behind a luggage transporter. a view from inside of a vehicle Immigration or Not I always neglect to research when I have to go through immigration or when I am a transit passenger (see Nepal Visa on Arrival, Needed Even in Transit). I assumed it would be the former in this case, but it was not because both Poland and Estonia are part of the Schengen area. Access to one country grants access to all. As usual, I found myself nervously searching for the ‘all passports’ line before it would be jammed with people, resulting in further delays. Fortunately, the airport was completely empty. After a quick stamp, I was on my way. I arrived with plenty of time to spare marking another time when I was more nervous than I needed to be. a sign in a building Overall Transit can be a trying experience especially when you do not have an inline ticket. This time it worked out, but I have appropriately stressed before (see Connecting in Madrid? Pack Extra Time & Connecting in Madrid: Pack Extra Time Part II).

LOT JFK-WAW: It’s How You Finish

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LOT JFK-WAW: It’s How You Finish

LOT JFK WAW Flight Review is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.

This was the first time I had flown LOT business. I had read mixed reviews and was eager to try it myself. Early Arrival JFK  I wanted to make sure that I would not miss the first flight of my RTW connection (see 25,000 Mile RTW Trip Including Iraq Booked!) which is why I arrived at JFK way too early (see JFK: Too Early to Check-In). After hours at the underwhelming British Airways Lounge in Terminal 7 (see Prego Pasta), I was ready to board the plane and enjoy life.a plate of food on a table Pre-Boarding  This flight did not start well. As a paranoid flyer, I left the lounge early (see Boarding Announcement Paranoia). I arrived to see a mass of people waiting to wait. The waiting went from a general mosh pit to everyone being separated by group. Thirty minutes later everyone was standing in the same place wondering what was going on. No explanation was given for the delay and we were randomly able to board.a group of people in a room When we walked onto the jet bridge, there was a long queue. I could not believe that those who needed extra assistance were stuck there the whole time during the delay.a group of people standing in a line Seating I could not find any availability to Europe, so I was fine flying a dated 787 with a 2-2-2 configuration. Lying flat is lying flight when compared to the alternative of riding peasant class for 8 hours (see Points in the Front, Peasants in the Back).the inside of an airplane a seat on an airplane a seat with a pillow and a pillow in it a person's legs on a bench in an airplane Amenities and Such Come on guys! I did not expect pajamas but at least give decent eye shades. I didn’t expect a Cathay comforter, but what is this homeless blanket?a pair of slippers and a small case a blue blanket on a bed Champagne After enduring Covid, I was ready for my pre-flight champagne ritual (see Get Ready to Takeoff: The World’s Best Champagne). It did not come. I ended up with Tropicana OJ and water.a group of glasses of liquid and a glass of water on a table Soup No soup for you! I wanted the creamy celery soup, but they don’t serve it on night flights. Wine The bad news is that they were out of Rioja. The good news is that there would not be a repetition of my Iberia experience (see Iberia Business ORD-MAD: Mask Jokes Literally Don’t Fly). They did have a California red that was not on the menu but worked out fine.
a glass of wine and a packet of snacks
Perhaps because I was starving, but I have to say that I fell in love with the salted roasted corn pre-appetizer.
Appetizer The tuna tartar appetizer was awful. It tasted like bad fish. And the seaweed below it may be the worst thing I have ever had in my life. I have to confess that I spat it out.a tray of food on a table The salad, on the other hand, came with buttermilk ranch. That’s a first. Yum. Famished and in love with the dressing, I went with the old-school salt, pepper, finger-looking good combo. Someone, please get me a bottle of the dressing.salt and pepper shakers on a plate Dinner I had the cliche steak. It was that versus cod or chicken. Unless I am in Portugal, I am passing on cod (see Restaurant Sunflower: Best Seafood Lisbon, Portugal). And chicken? I eat chicken and broccoli every day (see The Tahiti Diet: Making the Bungalow Selfie Count), so that was not a viable option. While the steak was nothing special as airplane steak rarely is, the potatoes with the plum chutney sauce were very nice.a plate of food with meat and vegetables I followed up the California red with an Italian Primitivo, a marked improvement. Dessert I opted for the chocolate cake which was rich and delicious. I also had the cheese spread. Like beer tasting, I am not a pro at discerning which cheese is which. The pink one was smoked and gross. The triangle one was perfect.a plate of food and a glass of wine Post Dinner Drink A nice shot of Cointreau was perfect to end my complaining and put me to sleep. They did offer Jaeger, but I couldn’t go down that road without Sugar-Free Red Bull, a concoction that would not put me into the trance I so desired. Service Despite my gripes and particularities, I have to say that the service was excellent. The crew was patient and attentive. Pre-Sleep Drink Right on queue, the flight attendant came by and enabled my thirsties by encouraging me to have another drink. She recommended the Polish Sauvignon Blanc. I agreed.  Now, we’re talking. Sleep And then I passed out and slept so well. Pre-Landing Snack Fruits, yogurt, and a meat and cheese plate were light and satisfying. I was finally able to have my champagne.a tray with food and a glass of juice on it Mimosa Flight Attendant: Would you like one more? Me: Sure, why not? That is how I will remember this flight. . . . But wait… Flight Attendant: We are sorry for the delay. Would you like some champagne? a glass of orange juice and a drink on a table in an airplane Goodbye Dessert I thought this post was over.
a glass of liquid and candy
One more photo
Overall It wasn’t shower suites (see Sheikh Dubai’s Chariot: First Class on Emirates Airlines A380). It didn’t start off smoothly. But it ended perfectly.  

Simply The Best: June 2022

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Simply The Best: June 2022

Did I write anything in June? Yes, a little. Here is the best:

  1. Iraqi Homecoming Trip Report: An Introduction
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    A big part of my life is travel. It is cliche to say that travel is important, but that statement doesn’t mean the same to the masses as it does to me. For me, travel is oxygen. Without it, I cannot live. Without it, I lose part of my identity. I become another face among the masses, surviving the monotony of the daily routine only to do it over again.
  2. What to Pack: Take 1/4 of the Clothes, 1/2 the Money
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    “Pack 1/2 the clothes, twice the money,” Lee Abbamonte once said. After years on the road, I have revised that and am now cutting both in half.
  3. Just Got Home & Now I’m Leaving Again
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    I am supposed to be publishing the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report. Due to the fact that renovations of my villa are still incomplete and despite leaving my place in their care for more than three weeks, I have no choice but to go back on the road.
  4. A Holiday of Healthy, Tipsy, & on Budget? Basically Impossible
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    While there is not a perfect solution, recognizing the need to improve is the first step in implementing changes.
  5. JFK: Too Early to Check-In
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    Coming to the airport early is prudent, but too early is just that: too early.
  6. CDC Suspends Testing Requirement: Where’s My Refund?
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    I hope the testing schemers made enough money off of this garbage.
 

BA JFK Terminal 7 Business Class Lounge: Prego Pasta

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BA JFK Terminal 7 Business Class Lounge: Prego Pasta

BA JFK Terminal 7 Business Class Lounge is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report. For Covid historical context, I visited the lounge on 5/12/2022.

I have fond memories of my time in the BA lounge JFK in Terminal 8 (see British Airways Lounge JFK: Mashed Potatoes & Gravy). Though I had access to both business and first, I preferred the mashed potatoes of the vast business lounge. With that experience in mind, I was not offended when the check-in person pointed me in the direction of the Club Lounge in Terminal 7. I thought the business side would be good enough. a sign with silver letters on a wood surface It wasn’t. Food It seemed like the local supermarket catered this affair. I instantly recognized the distinct taste of Prego on the macaroni. Perhaps the salad wasn’t from Costco but the greens looked familiar.a group of bowls of food a group of bowls of food a plate of food on a table Drinks SoCo anyone? I once beer bonged a half pint of SoCo in college. That painful memory made me skip the bar completely.a bar with bottles of alcohol on it a bar with bottles of alcohol a table with fruit and a drink on it Seating It was a warehouse of seats, a few steps up from a bus station. The only highlight was relaxing and watching the NBA playoffs. Finally, I was back to normal travel.a room with people sitting in chairs and tables a room with a table and chairs and a television on the wall PTI Did I say normal? I almost forgot that Covid is still chasing after all of us. Every few moments the iRobot would come on the PA to announce that it is a crime to not wear a mask in the lounge. Violators are subject to a $50 fine. I was not fined. Overall This was not the business class lounge from last time. Things are not normal.a sign on a wall

A Holiday of Healthy, Tipsy, & on Budget? Basically Impossible

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A Holiday of Healthy, Tipsy, & on Budget? Basically Impossible

Healthy, Tipsy & on Budget is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report. This post will be filed under Travel Lessons, where I share my wisdom on what I have learned from exploring the globe.

For years, I have been trying to find the balance of how long I can travel before I ruin all my chicken and broccoli exercise gains (see The Tahiti Diet: Making the Bungalow Selfie Count) and before I blow all my money. For years, I have failed. This trip provided a new opportunity to disappoint, but perhaps I won’t be as disappointed because I have outlined a plan that is semi-sustainable. #1 Exercise
  • Bring Your Own Gym Equipment?
I am used to working out on the beach or in the pool (see TPOL’s Achilles Rehab Secret: Hydro Revolution & VIDEO: Battle Ropes in Puerto Rico!). I tried to bring my Auster bands and rings on my Punxsataney Trip. I used it once at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The rest of the international trip was spent packing, unpacking and resenting these otherwise great workout devices (see No More Mobile Gym No Matter What).
  • Hotel Gym?
I refuse to go back to an indoor gym, and even if I did, most hotel gyms are inadequate compared to the real thing (one notable exception is the Grand Hyatt Jakarta).
  • Body Weight?
Do push-ups and crunches. I tried this over the years and was bored before it began. A real workout requires devoting at least 2 hours of time which includes the pre-workout supplement, driving my golf cart to the pool or beach, working out, and going home. It is an enjoyable, un-rushed experience. On the road, the joy, the desire, and spare time are not there. Conclusion: I don’t work out when I travel. By knowing this ahead of time, I have no regrets or guilt for not doing so. #2 Eating At home, I have a fulfilling and healthy food regiment. On the road, I used to do the exact opposite and eat everything in sight. I am not going to travel to exotic locales only to eat a chicken breast. The primary point of my travels is experiencing the culture. Food is the a critical part of that mission. The problem with this thinking is that my trips go on for weeks at a time leaving me sluggish and uncomfortable with half of the trip remaining (see Guns & Butter: Pokhara, Nepal Travel Guide (Cautionary Edition). This time I have decided to approach it differently.
  • Lounges: If I am not hungry, I will not eat at the lounge. Blog reviews are not worth the extra calories (see Are You the Fat Guy in the Lounge?).
  • Breakfast: I don’t think I will requalify for Globalist status with Hyatt.  Failing to do so would be healthier for me (see Who Cares About Hotel Status?). Like the lounge, I may disappoint blog readers without a review of the free breakfast buffet, but unless I’m in Asia, I won’t be missing much (see Twelve at Hengshan Shanghai: The Best Breakfast in the World). The rule is simple: eat if you have a long day ahead. Do not feel guilty for skipping.
  • Tapas Life: I want to try everything in a new country. Ordering one thing when there are so many intriguing choices would lead to regret later. Ordering too many things and eating them all leads to a different regret felt quickly in the waistline and the wallet. To balance this, I will order a few of the items and, though it goes against my principle of not wasting food, I will not finish everything.
    • TPOL’s TIP: One appetizer and one entree is enough for two people. If multiple items are ordered, only eat as if you had ordered one appetizer and one entree.
  • Street Food: Nothing is better than street food. If it’s not a meal, I will still order it. However, I will take one bite and move on. I must tell myself that I am not a wild dog with no self-control!
  • Post-Drinking Food: The short answer is ‘no.’ Schwarma is delicious but the only thing I vividly recall is the heartburn. And food post-alcohol is the recipe for putting on pounds in a hurry. The first calories to be burned will be the empty alcohol calories, leaving the fat and carb sandwich left to take its place.
  • Plane Indulgence: On long-haul flights, refusing good wine and extra cheese is next to impossible. I even splurge for dessert. Cutting down on this kills the point of the points game i.e., living the high life at the low price. For flights without lie-flat, drinking is not a priority and neither is the microwaved meal. I will have a small sample of both but primarily for the sake of the blog.
  • Bread: I know it’s over when I start eating bread at restaurants and on planes. Bread is the enemy. One croissant a week is allowed. Pretzel bread is always welcome.
Conclusion: This is not the Last Supper. #3 Drinking At home, I do not drink every day. At home breakfast is not 1/2 a liter of beer and a double espresso, a temporary but inadequate remedy for travel anxiety (see Travel Anxiety Sucks: Can It Be Prevented?). To maintain my mental and physical fitness while simultaneously preserving my cash flow, I am attempting to regulate how much alcohol I consume.
  • Beer: I don’t drink beer in general but can’t pass on the great dark beers that are nowhere to be found in the US, let alone Puerto Rico.  My new favorite is Grimbergen (see Guns & Butter: Lithuania Travel Guide). To keep my belly in check, I will not automatically order a beer whenever I sit down at any establishment. One conscious dark is more rewarding than ten blonde lagers. This rule may be broken when I am exploring a big city like Hong Kong (see How to Explore Hong Kong On Foot: The 7-Eleven Drinking Game).
  • Liquor: The aforementioned travel anxiety also comes from waking up the next morning wondering what happened the night before  The main culprit is the 5 letter word s-h-o-t-s! Shots are to be avoided for the rest of my life. Taking one inevitably leads to taking more than one. Mixed drinks are also dangerous. Visitors to Isla Encanta know that there’s no such thing as too much Don Q con diet. To avoid the binge and the calories, I am going with straight liquor, preferably Hennessy VSOP, a delicious drink that can only be sipped once night falls. Another advantage of top-shelf liquor is the steeper price. A $6 vodka soda contact-less payment transaction feels easier than a $11 Hennessy swipe even when the former happens half a dozen times (see Guns & Butter: Tallinn, Estonia Travel Guide). Of course, Red Bull should never be touched, especially in Thailand. I don’t do cocaine but I can imagine the letdown feeling from that narcotic is similar to the jittery, irrational anxiety that comes from Red Bull vodka.
  • Wine: Wine has sugars and plenty of calories when consumed in bulk. It also comes with a high price tag as I refuse to buy the cheapest bottle at the restaurant. I can’t pair fine food with subpar wine. Ordering by the glass alleviates the financial stress but does not address quality concerns. Leaving a bottle of fine vino with leftovers is a high crime. The only solution is to order wine only when great wine is necessary to enhance the food. The issue is not going for the top-end bottle even when the sticker price is much cheaper than it would be in the US. For example, in South Africa, the best bottle of wine was $64 (see Where to Eat Steak Johannesburg: Grillhouse Is A Great Choice). In the US, it would be exponentially more. When the top-end bottle is ‘cheap’ compared to American restaurants, how often is it fine to splurge? I have no answer for that at this point in time.
    • TPOL’s Tip: This rule can be relaxed during Wine Tasting adventures.
Conclusion: Drinking= anxiety + money burnt Overall As an economist, I recognize that there is an opportunity cost for trips that include multiple ‘once in a lifetime’ destinations. From a financial perspective, points may take me to those places for free but when I arrive, I still have to pay for food, drink, partying, sightseeing, and cultural experiences (see Guns & Butter Travel Guides). Without guardrails in place, this becomes unsustainably expensive. From a physical and mental health perspective, being a drinking degenerate or gorging glutton will leave me hungover and heavy, inhibiting me from enjoying the present. While there is not a perfect solution, recognizing the need to improve is the first step in implementing changes.
a man sitting at a table with food and a bottle
This photo from Pokhara is why it is necessary to try and maintain some discipline.

What to Pack: Take 1/4 of the Clothes, 1/2 the Money

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What to Pack: Take 1/4 of the Clothes, 1/2 the Money

“Pack 1/2 the clothes, twice the money,” Lee Abbamonte once said (see What to Pack: “Take 1/2 the Clothes, Twice the Money”). After years on the road, I have revised that and am now cutting both in half. Regarding luggage: thanks to embracing my Arabic musk, I have cut my luggage substantially. I am proud to say that on this trip my roller weighed 7lbs and my backpack weighed 4lbs. Regarding money, I am making a more conscientious effort to use points where possible. $100 per night for a hotel and $150 for regional flights add up quickly when I’m going for three weeks at a time. Similarly, I hope that my frugality leads to healthier choices leading to fewer dollars spent (see A Holiday of Healthy, Tipsy, on Budget: Basically Impossible). Here is my limited packing list: Essentials

Electronics
  • Blackberry + charger + cord (for blogging on the go)
  • Samsung + charger + cord
  • Laptop + case‎ + charger + mouse + case
  • Garmin + charger
  • Wireless headphones + case
  • Wired headphones (for airplanes)
  • External charger + 1 short USB cord
  • Wonderboom
  • Adapter
Clothes Toiletries
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Aleve
  • Nexium
  • Deodorant
The rest I buy along the way as souvenirs for which I have plenty of room in my spillover bag. TPOL’s Tip: If traveling for short trips e.g., three days, do not make the mistake of packing more because you want options. Stick to this list. a blue and grey backpack

JFK: Too Early to Check-In

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JFK: Too Early to Check-In

Too Early to Check In is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report. 

I am paranoid when it comes to transport (see “Tickets, Please, Tickets”: Train Anxiety & Boarding Announcement Paranoia). En route to Warsaw, I had to connect in JFK. I flew JetBlue from San Juan to JFK at 11:50AM with a scheduled arrival at 3:45PM. Despite my 10PM flight, I was still paranoid that disaster would strike and harpoon my RTW itinerary (see 25,000 Mile RTW Trip Including Iraq Booked!). The second worst thing happened: I arrived on time and was informed by the LOT agent that check-in was not open until 6:20PM. I thought I could sneak in with a mobile boarding pass. That did not work. Instead, I paid $3.26 to run on Dunkin’ and am waiting in another terminal for the gate to open.
a white coffee cup with a lid on a table
How much did I spend on coffee this trip?
TPOL’s Tip: If you arrive too early to JFK, head to Terminal One. At least there is proper seating compared to the 2 high school desks at terminal 7.
a room with a blue seat and a white floor
Waiting to go to the principal’s office.
I will add this to my Travel Lesson page as a reminder that coming early is prudent (see Cutting It Close: Will I Make My JFK-HKG Connection?), but too early is just that: too early.
a group of airplanes on a runway
It’s too inconvenient to leave JFK for the city.

Iraqi Homecoming Trip Report: An Introduction

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Iraqi Homecoming Trip Report: An Introduction

The Introduction is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report

When Covid hit, I made adjustments. The most obvious one was not traveling (see The Lost & Found Year(s): COVID Trip Report). Locked down, I became accustomed to my daily lifestyle and even accomplished a few things (see COVID 2020: TPOL’s Most Productive Year). In 2021, I left the basement with my sights set on purchasing an Italian villa (see Did TPOL Buy a 1 Euro Italian Villa?). While that trip was fun, it did not feel natural. Everything was closed or restricted, even wine tasting (see Guns & Butter: Ribera Del Duero, Madrid Travel Guide (Vino Edition)). Although the Covid hysteria lives on, this trip seems different. I am no longer trying to escape from the basement. Instead, I am reclaiming my life. A big part of my life is travel. It is cliche to say that travel is important, but that statement doesn’t mean the same to the masses as it does to me. For me, travel is oxygen. Without it, I cannot live. Without it, I lose part of my identity. I become another face among the masses, surviving the monotony of the daily routine only to do it over again. Well, that bullshit is now over. I’m on the road, onto new destinations, and, symbolically, onto Iraq for the first time in an effort to try to understand where I come from and who I am. To romanticize the trip, I arrived in Baghdad on my 40th birthday.
a large white airplane on a runway
Get some livery in your life!

Just Got Home & Now I’m Leaving Again

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Just Got Home & Now I’m Leaving Again

I am supposed to be publishing the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report. Due to the fact that renovations of my villa are still incomplete and despite leaving my place in their care for more than three weeks, I have no choice but to go back on the road. I am resuming the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report, a quest to visit every island in my backyard. The funny thing about my backyard is that everything is close in theory. In reality, the rounding couldn’t be more backward. See below: a map of the united states I start in San Juan and instead of swimming to Antigua, I fly all the way north to NYC. It will not be a wasted evening in NYC as I am meeting Ms. TPOL there for a night on the town (see Etiquette of Things: Comedy Cellar NY). This justifies the use of my 15,600 JetBlue points. On the way back to where I just left, we are flying business for 22k Avios each on AA. Looking to go from Antigua to St. Kitts? Good luck as there are limited flights. Talented TPOL found a British Airways 777 from ANU to SKB that saved me both money, 11k Avios vs. $169, and the hassle of going back to America.

a yellow background with black text
Fortunately, there was no business class availability, leaving no opportunity to debate if it is worth paying double Avios for a 45-minute flight.
The convenience ends where it began: San Juan. a screenshot of a calendar a screenshot of a phone The direct option for June does not fit into my schedule, and the British trick was not available on United. Checking Wiki Airports (see Wiki Airports: Finding Flights to the Unbeaten Path), I found that Air Sunshine flies direct but for $325 per person. My time is valuable but not that valuable, especially when it is multiplied by two. Indirect options included these gems: a screenshot of a phone Lucky for me, Avios rescued me once again. 11k Avios to MIA is much better than the ridiculous prices above. My luck continued as my 14k JetBlue flight back to SJU leaving from Fort Lauderdale spares me a night in Miami, my favorite city (see Hyatt Regency Miami: You’re Not Staying Here Anyway). It’s not a trip to Iraq, but it’s damn good for putting it all together the night before departure.
a screenshot of a data
As backwards as my Turkish routing.

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