(Have you read any of the old books where the chapter titles are like my post title?) While waiting to find out whether or not our daughter’s flight will eventually leave Philadelphia (some weather issues somewhere), let’s look at my thankfully not-delayed flight to France three weeks ago.
Check-in went fine, but for some reason, both my carry-on bags were pulled aside to be hand-checked. I have no idea why and of course, they’re not about to tell me, but finally they realized that I am an innocent (wo)man (thanks, Billy Joel) and I was through, onto my wait on the other side. I spent as much time as possible walking, as I’d be sitting for most of the six hour or so flight. Here’s a bit of O’Hare Airport art I passed a number of times.
My KLM plane was huge. I’d flirted briefly with the idea of paying the $381 (one way) to upgrade to business class, but decided I’d be fine in economy. With my aisle seat and some books, I was good to go. Although I never really slept, I did relax for a few hours and felt good when I arrived outside Amsterdam at Schiphol Airport. A short while later, I was on a small airplane (two sets of two seats per row), on my way to Basel, Switzerland. On these short flights, you never know what sort of food you’ll get, but I was blessed that day. My little box contained two halves of a delicious chicken sandwich on organic, whole grain bread. This was no ordinary chicken. You can even visit, in person or virtually, the chicken farms. Here’s what the inside of the box said:
My bag was the fifth one off, my b-i-l was waiting, and we were off. After the several-hour drive, bags deposited at the house, my s-i-l and I went out for groceries. Lidl, a discount grocery store similar to Aldi, (and opening stores in the US now!!!) has wonderful produce as well as other things. When we walked into the brand new store, stacked crates of artichokes caught my eye. But these were food porn artichokes, each the size of a head of cauliflower!! I’ve never seen artichokes so large and they were only 79 cents, just barely more the 79 US cents. Unbelievable!!! Of course we got about six or seven.
It felt good to finally sit on the patio, enjoying the garden view, a glass of rosé in hand.
This, that and the other thing 
I have a phobia. Phobia of flying. i usually travel by road within India
I like traveling by road, too, but I can’t get to France from the US by road. 🙂
janet
Yup..No one can
Did you buy any artichokes? I’m always curious about them having only eaten pre-packaged hearts.
We did and by the next day, there were hardly any left. The way we like to eat them is to steam them until tender, then eat the bottoms of the leaves and, finally, the heart. When I buy artichoke hearts, I always mourn the unused leaves. 🙂 You can only eat the very bottom. Many people like to stuff them, but you still eat the same way. These were so inexpensive that my b-i-l used the hearts and didn’t even use the leaves.
janet
Thanks for that Janet. I’ll look out for them in the vege shop and give that a go. I love most vegetables and should really try artichokes fresh.
Some people dip the ends of the leaves in melted butter, some in mayo, but we like them just plain.
Ooh. I’m not crazy about either melted butter or mayo, but a good olive oil perhaps?
glad you had a good flight and frane welcomed you with the giant artichocckes ;o) I bought them too, but they were 99 cents, still a bargain LOL
After a few days, they sent up to 99 cents but as you stay, still an amazing bargain. 🙂 I couldn’t believe it and how big they were.
janet
Good to hear that you had an uneventful flight. I was held up at TSA for about 15 minutes, recently, as they scanned, rescanned and swapped my left shoe. They finally gave it back, without a word. The thought of happy chickens made me smile a bit. I hope your daughter’s flight managed to get off through the storms.
She finally arrived at about 8:30 pm, about 7 hours late, but still here. Hopefully her trip back on Saturday will go more smoothly. 🙂 I haven’t run into any bad TSA people and I imagine they run into a lot of jerks. It would be a tough job. But going through security in Europe is much less of a hassle, at least in Basel. Although my bag got pulled aside there, I was allowed to take out what they were questioning and show the person. In the US, you don NOT touch anything while they’re doing their checking.
janet
I have never had a bad experience with TSA, just unexplained. I’m glad your daughter got there safe.
I understand, Dan. TSA, like Chuck Norris, doesn’t have to explain, I guess. I’m glad she made it safely, too, and we had a great day today.
I’m enjoying my virtual vacation with you 🙂
Glad to have you along. The best is yet to come! 😁
janet
So glad to hear that you have had a good time!
Thanks for Aletta. It was lots of fun.
janet
Ah, sounds great, and the artichokes too.
It was and they were. 🙂
janet
I never buy whole artichokes since I don’t eat the leaves. I love their hearts though. I buy those by the jar.
The garden looks lovely, and a great place to relax.
I always feel sad when buying hearts only about the leaves that gave their lives uselessly. 🙂 The garden is lovely and sitting on the patio for breakfast and dinner was very relaxing. 🙂
janet
Since I buy the hearts in jars maybe the leaves are put to use somehow?
There’s not much “meat” to the leaves is what I always think when I’ve had the leaves.
I doubt the leaves are used. You’re right, there’s not much meat on them, but it adds up. 🙂
janet
Welcome home, Janet. I look forward to more installments of your vacation.
Ω
Thanks, Allan. There’ll be lots more to share.
janet
Mm, yes! Artichokes so big, they’re a meal unto themselves — rare here.
I do read books like that, and caption my titles as such now and again. When Moo brings me Wind in the Willows, she always says “We must start in which Toad gets a motorcar.” That’s her favorite. 😉
🙂 Poop, poop. Nothing like a good artichoke.
janet
I haven’t had an artichoke in years! Oddly enough, when the boys were small, we ate them quite regularly since it was one of the few vegetables they actually liked. I think it was the novelty of hands-on food 🙂
I really must make a point of getting some again. Somehow I doubt they’ll be only 79 cents!!
I doubt it, too, Joanne, and it’s unlikely they’ll be so big. But enjoy them anyway! 🙂
janet