Newark Liberty to Frankfurt, Germany
As Lufthansa says, "There's no better way to fly".
It's 7.30pm eastern time and we have been in the air for about an hour and a half. How time flies when you have a footrest and a glass of champagne!
Before departure my coat was taken and hung in the closet and then we were served a glass of champagne with macadamia nuts.
Following the snack we were delivered our in "Clarins for Men" flight kits which included moisturizers, eye cream, hand cream, toothbrush and toothpaste, ear plugs, eye shades and a brush. Anyone who knows me knows that brush will never be used. This was all delivered in a nice blue toiletry bag. In addition we were also supplied with slippers and a pair of pajamas.
Our Lufthansa flight departed promptly at 6pm. Amazing how they boarded in 30 minutes and departed right at 6 on the dot. That's one good thing about Lufthansa, they leave on time. I actually love flying Lufthansa and have rarely had a bad experience.
The first class cabin is actually spacious and comfortable. I have to say when I went to Australia in first class on United I thought the seats were a bit more cozy. I'm not complaining though.
Whenever I fly Lufthansa I am usually mistaken for a German I know this because I usually see them talk to some in English and others in German. I am always addressed in German first. Today one of the pursar looked at her list of passengers and came up to me and spoke in German. When she saw that I didn't understand she looked and said, "I am sorry but this is a German name". I love fooling them! If you know me or have ever been to Germany, you'll know why she made the mistake.
The seats in first class are full of features. It took me 45 minutes to figure out how to work everything. There is a touch video screen which has video on demand with 20 movies to choose from, games, news, flight information and music. In additon to the entertainment the seat also reclines and has a foot rest. When you are ready to rest, the seat turns into a fulled reclined bed.
We are getting ready for mealtime and we have a wide variety of choices. There is red snapper, turkey, venison and a pesto ravoli. I selected the venison and was later told there were only 2 and they were gone. Damn. She offered me the fish or turkey, neither of which I am fond of. The flight attendant told me that yesterday there was goose. She said everyone wanted it and there wasn't enough. Can you imagine? Goose on an airliner! I wish I was flying yesterday.
A few minutes after expressing my disgust with turkey with the flight attendant came back and told me that there was a special meal for me which was a "steak". I told them when I made my reservation that I didn't eat fish. They took care of me!
For our Hor d'ouevre the flight attendant come around witha cart filled with tasty treats. There is caviar, salmon roulade, beef carpaccio with parmesean chips, barley salad and roast root vegatables. Along with my tasty starters I am served some mixed breads and a glass of French champagne. To make this all special a rose is place in a small vase at my seat.
For a moment I will make believe I am rich.
The flight attendants today are very friendly and attentive. My glass hasn't been empty since I boarded. I've had water, sparkling water, champagne, white wine and then more champagne.
The next course is a salad of seasonal greens with yellow tomatoes and a french vinagrette. The salad was refreshing but nothing too special. Another glass of champagne pulled it all together.
I'm so glad I didn't eat a lot today. It's nice to be wined and dined while listening to Schubert on the entertainment system.
My entree, which was specially prepared for me was uneventful. It was a piece of meat which was pretty tender with brown sauce and white rice and vegatables. Nothing too special, not too much flavor. All I requested was "no fish", not the "very bland" meal. It was OK though.
As soon as I finished my last bite of meat, they came around with a dessert cart. The choices were an apple strudel, berry pudding or a cheese plate. Guess what I got. The cheese plate, of course. The selection was about 4 different kinds of French cheeses, all of which I cannot spell. Oh my, I've died and gone to stinky cheese heaven.
Note to self - eat more cheese.
To end this feast, I am having a glass of German Eiswein. Eiswein is a dessert wine which is made by freezing the grapes on the vine and harvesting them while frozen. in this case it give the wine a delicate, yet elegant taste.
Note to self - get a bottle of "Eiswein" at duty free in Frankfurt Airport
OK, to add insult to injury we've just been serve our choice of chocolates. I picked a mocha and a marzipan.
Now I really feel rich, and fat.
To add insult to injury, the flight attendant came and gave me 3 more chocolates and another glass of eiswein.
Pig.
My cares and woes are slowly disappearing. I've formally left my past behind. Isn't that the great thing about travel? It's like you are having an out of body experience.
May I recommend that if you can save up your frequent flyer miles, use them in first or business class. It really a great way to fly.
Oh god, the person in front of me had fully reclined and is snoring. I think I will need my ear plugs tonight.
Oh excuse me it's not the man in front of me, it's the lady to the side. Remember she was the one with the snotty nose. I have to say she is a bit loud. My god it's a bit embarassing.
I just hope that once I fall asleep I don't chit chat in my sleep.
Although I've had more wine than I can remember I still don't feel sleepy or drunk, but I haven't stood up yet either. In a few minutes I will take a walk thru the cabin and shee what happens. I did want to take a walk through coach to see how the other half flies.
OK, time to get some sleep. We land in 4 hours so it not like I will get a full night rest.
(4 hours later)
Between the warm temperaturs and the lady with the snotty nose who snored all night, I didn't get much sleep.
It's 7.05am, which is 1am my time, and I am a bit cranky. The flight went very fast. I barely had time to get my junk out of my bags before we were getting ready to land. The rest rooms were impossible to use during the flight. What the hell were people doing in there? Regardless I did get my turn to brush my teeth and use some mouthwash. I also stole all the leftover Clarins mens moisturizer that was in there.
I have to say that the meal service went a bit too long. They should serve faster knowing people want to sleep.
I also shouldn't have eaten and drank so much. Beef is not a good before bedtime meal. Regardless, I did request a light breakfast of some fruit and muesli. I really just wanted some yogurt.
We are just minutes from Frankfurt, the landing instructions and gate numbers are being announced. My connection to London is in 2 hours. There was an earlier connection but I didn't want to risk rushing and missing the flight. Now I wish I would have got the faster connection. I guess I can shop while I wait. I need a CK One refresher.
Welcome to Frankfurt.
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