Leaving on a Jet Plane

For those of you that don't know where this post title comes from I have included the lyrics for you. There are two good versions, the Peter, Paul and Mary version and the Slightly Stoopid version. For the purposes of this blog, think of the Slightly Stoopid version because I am happy! And the Peter, Paul and Mary one is kind of a downer. But anyway, I'm currently in the United Continental Red Carpet/Mileage Plus Club. For my nerds out there, its like the Tardis, bigger on the inside. After you pass the "yes you are supposed to be here" front desk, you walk around the corner to a HUGE lounge with coffee, cheese, crackers, carrots with ranch, coffee and tea stations, soda fountain and bar. And for those of you that have traveled lately, you know nothing at the airport is free. BUT IT'S FREE HERE! And they give you interwebs! However, when I first got here, I got obvious looks like "what is she doing here?" Granted, I dress like a young college kid, have purple hair and look young for my age. I also took forever trying to figure out where to sit because all the chairs looked so comfortable. Did I want brown leather? A Green rounded top of chair that my ex boss would pay a fortune for, or the long backed gray chairs that looked oddly cute? Too many decisions. I opted for the leather chair in the corner.

However, I am a minority here with most people looking all business people like and looking like they travel a lot on their phones, computers or Ipads doing work or like this lady across from me, Skyping to someone. However, as I sat down, and pulled out my Ipad and mini keyboard, I got approving looks as if, I have the materials, I can stay. I board the plane in about half an hour. I am going to leave the United States where I can communicate freely and get around because I know what to expect. Soon, I will be in Europe a whole new place to me and am nervous. However, I didn't feel as if I was leaving home until I was on the plane and in the seat pocket in front of me was the Continental magazine that promoted different travel destinations. On the cover....Quito, Ecuador. I was only there a year and a half ago. As I flipped through the pages, I kept saying "Oh, I went there, and there, and there" but it was cool to see it in a magazine. Then it dawned on me. I will be going to a country that I have seen in a million movies, learned the history of, seen in paintings and heard about in books....I am going there! I will be there in less than 2 days and I can see in person what I've only watched in movies. (Also, if you want a cute movie set in Italy, watch Only You.....worth it my romcom friends.) I plan to eat some more cheese and crackers and prepare to board soon. Counting the hours until I'm there!

All my bags are packed,
I'm ready to go I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
The taxi's waiting, he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could cry.

Chorus: So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go. (oh, baby, don't let me go!)
I'm leavin' on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go.
 There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around I tell you now,
they don't mean a thing Every place I go, I think of you
 Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back, I'll wear your wedding ring.
 (Chorus) Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Then close your eyes, and I'll be on my way.
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times, I won't have to say,
 (Chorus)