Crabby Cabby

I flew to Brussels this morning. I flew on Lufthansa. Was wondering if the plane would be nearly empty, but it seemed nearly 80% full.

Earlier this year, Emirates Airlines opened up a HUGE and spacious new Terminal 3. This has left Terminal 1 for the use of all the other airlines. So, even without economic collapse, there would have been a LOT less passengers in Terminal 1 than I am used to. Often times, its like a dodge-em cars as I try to manage my way through the Duty Free and toward my gate.

This morning the place seemed relatively deserted. As I made my way to breakfast, I was accosted by a friendly cafe owner who was nearly begging to make me a toasted cheese sandwich. I asked for it with ham (turkey ham) and tomato - plus a cup of latte. Nice not to have to push my way through a crowd to find a table.

We boarded at about 8am. The plane, not surprisingly, was full of Germans. I was seated near a group of about 20 women that seemed to be finishing a holiday in the sun. When the drinks trolley came by, I ordered a cup of coffee. They ordered beer. It was warm beer - I'm not a beer fan even when it's icy cold. So, warm Warsteiner at 8am totally didn't appeal. After beer, they moved to warm champagne. The woman across the aisle from me drank 2 splits. When the drinks trolley came again, she ordered a scotch and got a nice big generous pour along with another beer.

I was glancing across the aisle and thinking, "it's not hard to see where Milwaukee gets its drinking culture." And then, in front of my eyes I saw her nudge the bottle off her tray. In slow motion it fell onto the floor and sloshed beer all over my trousers and shoes. Not a drop on her. She apologised profusely. Luckily it was only beer and I was relatively unscathed.

When I arrived in Brussels, I made my way to the hotel van pick up area. I read the schedule and discovered that they don't start running until 5pm (and it was 3:30). I remember that I did this the last time I was in Brussels - in fact, I've done this the last TWO times I was in Brussels. I got a taxi and the cab driver was really miffed to find that I was going to a hotel only 5 km away. He probably spent all afternoon waiting for his fare. I could understand a bit - but c'est la vie. I was feeling sympathetic until he started getting all crabby about having to give me change for a 50 (in fairness to me the fare was 12 euro, so not like I was asking for a huge amount of change).

Now, I'm checked into my hotel. It's one of those modern euro-style hotels. Lots of cool ergonomic stuff and perks that are well thought out - but still pretty affordable. One of my favorite things is the "women's wing" - where all the rooms are reserved for traveling business women. I just like the fact that some strange man isn't following me down the hall to my room. Only problem so far is I can't seem to get the heat on, and believe me it's chilly in here!

But the best thing about my hotel room - BBC1 and BBC2. Yes, real live BBC television - the best! Just got through watching "A Move to the Country" - a property show where people are moving into the English countryside and are shown 3 properties and need to decide which they like best. I always wonder if anyone actually purchases one of these properties they are shown. Now, I'm watching BBC News - London. I just love hearing the music interludes - brings me back to the days of living in London. Next, "Best of Antiques Roadshow" - ahhh.