Heading Stateside

As we took off and headed away from the Azores towards the USA I could not help but be in awe of the island chain below.  These pictures do not do it justice.  The islands are hard to see because the clouds have clustered over them.  The closer mass is the island of Sao Jorge.  It is very skinny and very long.  Behind it is Pico, where we went by boat last summer.  I love looking out the window of the plan and seeing the beautiful nature created in the middle of nowhere in the Atlantic Ocean.  It is hard to believe I live on one of these tiny islands.

 

Here you can see Pico better.  The peak here on the island is the highest point in all of Portugal.  This includes those peaks on the mainland.

When I fly back to the US I take a military flight and fly Space A.  This means I sign up on a list and show up the day I want to fly.  All available spaces (Space A) on the flight are filled in order with people on that list.  It has it’s benefits but can be nerve wracking.  For starters, you are not guaranteed a seat on the flight, and not sure if you can get on the return flight either.  You have to be on time for roll call and make sure you are signed in or you may miss your chance to get on the flight.  The benefit to this is a nice plane ride with the ability to take 2 bags, 70# each (at least on my flight, which only has 32 seats on the plane).  The cost is under $30 each way.  I think I am spoiled at times with this option, but then I think about this being a benefit to the many other things being a military spouse brings.  There is always a trade off. 

But so far I have had great experiences taking advantage of Space A.  When you first sit down you may think it is similar to first class.  This is a small flight with on 32 seats so you get good service.  They immediately delivered bottles of water to all passengers.  Just before take off we were told what movie options there were and gave our input (just those of us in the back).  Once in the air a crew member passed out these:

I was so excited to order some Sprite Zero, which I love.

Due to the wind coming at us we had a little longer than usual flight.  We managed to get in 3 whole movies on the 5+ hour flight.  We were also served a meal.  The options were chicken or pork, so I asked for just the sides.  They are so sweet on this plane that they gave me extra goodies!

When I did arrive home, oh and did I mention I am super spoiled since in the flight goes right to my hometown (many people have to continue on from there and pay for other flights, so I do know I am lucky).  Right, getting back to my arrival home.  I settled in at my mom’s house.  I quickly discovered why I had no magazines to read at the gym on the island.  They were piled so high in my bedroom at my mom’s house.  It was really funny.  I was like “so that’s where they all went too”, LOL!

After a quick meal of a bagel with cream cheese and lox, I unpacked and checked the internet (work related and personal emails) and relaxed for a few.  Then we headed to a family dinner at the Suburban House.  This has been a landmark in my hometown for years and only recently was devastated by a fire.  They have now reopened in a new location down the road from their original structure.  I was so excited to enjoy a real Jewish style meal.  They have an awesome menu, and I am not just talking the options (check it out on the link above).

 

I HAD, HAD, HAD to order the matzo ball soup.  They make one with chicken, but also one that is pareve, which means no meat since it can be eaten with a meat meal or dairy meal in terms of kosher.  This makes it fair game for me.

I also had the cheese blintzes.  I was able to get my little cousin (ok, in 9th grade now, but still little to me) to try some.  She is a majorly picky eater so this was so cool she was willing to try them for me.  I told her it is like a dessert you can eat for dinner.  I may call it a meal, but Ryan thinks it is more like a dessert.  I’ll eat them anytime I can!

They have these amazingly huge omelets there.  My sister had an egg white omelet with onions and nova (lox, AKA smoked salmon).  It was awesome looking.

I didn’t get a chance to get up and take pictures of everyone’s food (we had 12 people and I was stuck inside), but I did get a few.  My step dad (Joe) had a nice salad with tuna.

My sister’s boyfriend, Chris, had this insanely huge corned beef sandwich.  This is a true Jewish deli!

After that I was beyond exhausted but I still managed to get to my dad’s house to drop off some goodies and catch up.  Boy was I beat after that long day.  I managed to get home and get to bed at the equivalent of 2 am in the Azores.  No surprises then to know that I woke up the next morning at 6 am EST…which is 10 am for me in the Azores.  I am sure I will adjust when it is time for me to go.

QUESTIONS:  What is your favorite airline?  Have you ever had blintzes before?