first class

I’ve named this second love child of mines GlobeTracer, so how’s ‘bout we talk about some travel today? Now, I know you may be wondering how I can consider myself a GlobeTracer when I don’t do much but talk about Costa Rica (topics like where my journey started, random things I miss about Costa Rica, and informative fun mini-lessons) and every now and again I talk about my little get-a-ways. Well folks, if you’ve been around long enough you would know:

1. I LOVE MY COUNTRY. And I will never get tired of talking about it. 🙂 Once you visit, you’ll be versed in why.

2. Short get-a-ways are for survival’s sake! Take them as frequently as life allows.

I’m officially in the season of mini-get aways. Since grad school became the goal, budget priorities changed. I’m sure anyone shelling out $40,000 in tuition for a Master’s program can attest that your life drastically changes when you chose that route. So I’ve come to embrace GlobeTracing as a state of mind. A state of being away, of shutting the busyness out without spending a dime or money to get there. That basically means when I daydream I’m picturing myself getting ready for my next trip. It also means I’m reading lots of summer travel stories, and making my vision board (whenever I settle in and can locate my travel magazines) so I have NO doubt where I want to venture off to when that vacation time and money line up. Mentally GlobeTracing requires lots of imagination. And in reality, when you sacrifice and fight for a trip—you enjoy it that much more. So don’t be discouraged if you can’t go where you’d really like right now, remember grasshopper; Patience has its own rewards.

Speaking of fighting for trips, earlier this month I fought to make it to Chicago, Illinois. My friend was getting married at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. I begged my father for standby tickets, scrounged some little change together and got on a plane the day of the wedding, and came back the next day. Talk about short trips. Let’s venture, shall we.

RULE #1 of SHORT TRIPS.

Take more pictures than you normally would, to make it seem like you did more than you actually did.

First Perk of the Trip… First Class upgrade. Breakfast of Champions!

If breakfast and seat 1C weren’t exciting enough..behold, a woman pilot! My first time seeing one.

*I’ve LANDED* SMILE! Now, time to navigate the trains.

Hmm..might be a long ride.

Finally, the hotel! Walking distance to the school’s Chapel!

YES! All the single ladies, with a married one in the bunch…

Communion- sharing of the holy sacrament.

RULE #2 of SHORT TRIPS.

Be flexible. Remember that you won’t be able to see EVERYTHING in one trip. Enjoy where you do go, don’t rush it.

Day 2 Millennium Park and Downtown Chicago. Couldn’t leave Chicago without trying the good ol’ pizza!!

Check out what these Towers at the park do…

Pizza-stuffed with cheese? *gulp* BEFORE

RULE #3 of SHORT TRIPS.

Avoid pulley-bags or heavy messenger-type bags. They cramp your style if you’ve already checked out of your hotel and have to sight-see with your luggage.

Skyscrapers close to a coastline of water one can actually enjoy- this makes no sense!!

Are you Tracing? Physically or Mentally? Where to?!

Take me with you,

She

I had a treat on my flights back home from Costa Rica. Although I traveled for about 8 hours that day, I really couldn’t complain after I got to cross off the number 2 item on my Bucket List. TWO FIRST CLASS FLIGHTS! I flew first from SJO to Atlanta’s huge international airport, and then had an hour and a half wait before I went from Atlanta to LaGuardia. On my first flight, I sat next to a skinny tall white man who informed the flight attendant that his children were seated in coach and that one of them might have motion sickness so he should prepare with bags accordingly. I thought to myself, what kind of man leaves his children in coach to come and sit in first class? Especially when he knows his kid gets sick on planes? I decided to spark a conversation, instead of judge him too harshly. He informed me that the children were seated in coach with the babysitter. That’s not too bad… I guess? The man, named Joseph, was retired and owned a farm on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, so he spent his time traveling every 2 weeks back and forth to Atlanta and Costa Rica. The life, I thought to myself. He then began to tell me about his children’s 4 nationalities; they were born in Costa Rica, American citizens and then apparently were also automatically Danish and West African due to their parents. Apparently, children can hold more than two nationalities until about age 21, when the U.S. forces them to pick and choose only one other ally (if that country allows dual citizenship).

After our small talk, I picked up a flight magazine. You know, the one that tries to sell you things to make your arduous American life a little bit easier to handle. I picked the best 3 to share with you, my fellow readers:

Descriptions and Items courtesy of Sky Mall, Summer 2011

The Pillow Tie ($19.95, Available in Navy/Black/Silver or Red)

Boring meetings, hour-long conference calls– might as well make yourself comfy. Looks and ties like traditional neckwear but inflates with a few puffs.

How to use a pillow tie- Step 1. Access the inconspicuous valve. Step 2. Inflate in less than a breath. Step 3. Zzz..Zzzz..Zzz

(The man who invented this, must have definitely been puffing something)

Remote-Control Beverage Coller ($69.95)

Get up and walk all the way to the cooler for a cold one? Not necessary. Just point your remote and get your drink delivered, no cabana boy required.

The Peaceful Progression Wake Up Clock ($69.95)

This clock gradually increases ambient light stimulating aromas and peaceful sounds to awaken sleepers. Thirty minutes before wake-up time, the light glows softly, brightening over the next half-hour while faint aromatherapy scents release into the air.

I solved all your Christmas shopping dilemmas in one post.

Thank me later,

She Traces

globetracer

A 30-something year old girl managing her busy world…

Menu

The American Luxury