Friday August 2, 2019
Day 2: Day of flight to Rome
Today, Stephanie and I enjoyed a lovely day with the Longo family. We shall meet our travel compatriot, Giovanni, in Rome. He has been working at a sicilian opera program. I am proud of my quarter Sicilian heritage. My maternal grandfather, Michael, came over on a boat from Palermo. Our family name “Alongi” was changed to “Alonge” perhaps due to US phonetic challenges.
I love the lifelong connections musicians make in productions. Eliz and I met an opera program in 2003 and never parted. I caught her attention with my lipstick linebacker look, trucker laugh, and spintoliz pipes. I met my friends Stephanie and Giovanni 2 years ago and found wonderful friends. Music is an incredible unifier.
I had a come to Jesus moment today eating the Longo family meatballs. It was a bevy of savory flavors. My stomach has had 0 issues eating in Montreal the past 24 hours. Even Panera at home can make my digestion rebel. I deal with this often. We really deserve better food in the states; clean food that doesn’t break the bank.
Anywho, I sit one row away from Stephanie on the Airtransat plane as I write. Our basic economy seats didn’t grant us seat selection privileges. I’m just glad the seat has a cushion and isn’t located on the wing. We touch down in approx 5 hours.
OBSERVATIONS
IGA: Montreal has really nice IGA grocery stores. I remember going to IGA at Eastern Illinois in undergrad.
SWANK FACTOR: I needed some essentials from the Canadian Walmart today. My extra self noticed a far swankier shoe section than home. Got me some non essential leopard ankle boots with a silver edge. Oo la la.
MA BELL: Clark Kent would approve. I have seen 4 Ma Bell phone booths just today; 3 even with a circular design.
COST OF LIVING: I have to confess, yours truly, aka maverick economy stimulator, usually buys a magnet or pen at each airport I frequent. YUL Montreal’s prices are the most expensive I’ve seen.
FANTA NECTAR: The Fanta here is far superior to the US. Not too sweet. Just right. Le tasty.
PUFF THE MAGIC DONUTS: Canadian Mister Puff donuts are amazeballs. They are to munchkins as White Castle is to prime rib.
MAPLE MOTHERLAND: Maple items are everywhere. The quantity of maple items here makes Vermont look like slackers.
KITTY KAT KORNER: Folks enjoy kit kat bars in these parts. Prominent displays and eye catching fonts are prevalent.
AIR TRAVEL GOLDEN AGE: I dig the Air Canada flight attendant garb. Employees look like they stepped out of a posh PanAm steward/stewaress photo shoot from the 1960s.
CONTRARION: I like airplane and hospital food. It doesn’t make me sick. I like the little wrapped items. So sue me.
MATURITY LOADING: Effie, my wicked witch figurine, is accompanying me on our trip. She needed a plane selfie. I am making peace that this is an odd thing to do. I’m ok with that. I think. 😉
WALNUT GROVE AMENITIES: 2019 Planes are coach buses of the sky. We have NO WiFi and ya gotta get stickered to get snacks and ear phones. However the seats are comfy, seatbelts aren’t repressive, and the bathroom seemed to have more toucas room.
MR ROGER’S FOLK: Every employee I met at the Trudeau airport was genuinely friendly. From ticket taking and bistros, security to duty free, folks were pleasant. I encountered at least 9 employees. It took awhile to let down my NJ turnpike guard and process.
VIKING HAT WILL TRAVEL: It never fails. Whenever I board a plane, I want to sing to the captive passengers. This experience is on my bucket list. I need more nerve and perhaps add a few more years so I can blame it on senility shenanigans.
HI DAD: My dad has been gone for 18 years. I miss him so much. It made me smile to think about our similarities as travelers. I’m a rando whisperer and talk to strangers, I call young men “sir,” and I love noticing old beautiful trees.
#akintsucrooner
akintsucrooner 