Tag Archives: Alaska Airlines

Oct24

Home Sweet Home

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Home Sweet Home

Three flights and a bus trip. Every year I say I’m getting too old for this. But I did it again. Of course it took it’s toll. The two hour time change was welcome when I arrived, but not so much the next morning. 12 hour naps are exhausting and are not my norm. But it’s Friday and I finally had the energy to hit the ATM. I usually enjoy the mile walk to the bank but today I appreciated the ride Raul gave me. By the way, the temperature is in the low 80s and that sun is hot!

When I arrived at the bus station in Aguascalientes Wednesday night, I had a delightful and unexpected visit with Charlotte. She and Humberto were taking a bus home to Puerto Vallarta. They’ll be back here in Aguascalientes in December so I’ll look forward to spending more time with them then.

Alaska. You are still my favorite airline. All flights went smoothly and my bag was one of the first off the carousel when I landed in Guadalajara. Thank you for delaying your tech outage by one day so that it didn’t affect my travel. And thank you Pangborn that all runway renovation was complete and I was able to fly out of Wenatchee. Much easier to deal with TSA at a small airport.

I went to my corner tiendita and picked up some much needed groceries and other supplies. And they provided me with assistance to get everything that short half a block to my home. Yep! I bought that much stuff! Other than a torta ahogada yesterday, I’ve been living off protein bars. But sleep was first on my agenda.

My newsfeed this morning was not a good one. Canada and the USA are becoming more than enemies. And that’s all I’ll say.

Yogurt and fruit have the appeal of a mouth-watering steak right now. Time to end this post.

Have a great weekend!

Sep2

When You’ve Gone Through The Entire Alphabet

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When You’ve Gone Through The Entire Alphabet

It’s time to go back to Plan A, second time around. Or maybe it’s third or fourth time around. I’m really not sure. But I’ll have to see if this Plan A works out.

I had hoped to publish two books this summer. But it looks like it will be next spring. Far too complicated to publish in Canada while I’m still in the USA or in Mexico. And I’ve decided to go straight back to Mexico next month instead of taking any side trips to Canada.

And that’s okay. The third book in the trilogy will be ready to publish in the spring.

I did an interesting workshop online the other day. It was all about choosing titles for books. Right now I have a title carved in stone for the first book of the trilogy. Now I have some new ideas to toss around for the second and third books.

It’s September and the kids are all back in school. School Year’s Eve is over. And that date varied from state to state. Actually the term School Year’s Eve was a new one for me. I guess I watched too many TV commercials this year. That term was never around when I was a child nor when my kids were school-age.

It’s September and temperatures in the 100s are still in the forecast for this week. I hope I’ll still be around to see the leaves change color. Fall has become my favorite season.

Talk about plans changing……………..booking flights today was on my radar but Alaska’s website appears to have the flu today, or maybe it’s that new strain of Covid. Whatever. Or maybe someone up there doesn’t want me to book flights. Hmmmmm.

And now I’ll turn to a different type of writing. I need to make some notes to be read at book club later this week.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Apr27

10 Days and Counting

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10 Days and Counting

April 19-May 11, 2025. La Feria.  Three weeks. I can hear the music when I sit outside with my neighbors at night. I can easily walk down two blocks. But I also enjoy sitting there watching all the traffic. There is limited street parking and traffic is crazy. Lots of police patrolling the area including the National guard. I feel very safe.

I’m down to my last 10 days. That means it’s a time of saying goodbye to friends until next fall. It’s always bittersweet leaving. In all honesty I won’t miss the 90 plus degree heat. I’m looking forward to the cooler temperatures in Washington.

My calendar is already filling up with activity once I return up north. Church activities and volunteer work along with a much needed hair appointment at Shears. And of course I’m looking forward to seeing all my friends and going back to the Wenatchee Valley Senior Center to writers group. I’m undecided about Tai Chi. I’m thinking of maybe getting back in the water and joining the YMCA instead.

Our internet is very sporadic these days. Raul is planning on changing service providers once the current contract is up. The current provider is less than reliable. Every time they install a new modem or cable, we laugh. New to us but probably taken out of someone else’s home. Their equipment is nowhere near state of the art. And if anyone ever inspected for safety around here……….. But it’s all the fun of living in Mexico. There are dangling wires everywhere.

I got an email from Alaska asking if I want to preorder food for my flight. The choices aren’t that great. It’s just under 3 hours from Guadalajara to LAX. I’ll take my chances on the overpriced airport food. I have a 12 hour layover before my flight to Sea Tac.

I’ll end with humor.

Why was Cinderella so bad at soccer? She kept running away from the ball!

Have an amazing day!

Mar12

A Semiannual Tradition

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A Semiannual Tradition

Most people have annual traditions. They’re usually associated with holidays, birthdays, vacations and the like. I’ve had a semiannual one now that began back in 2016. It’s called PROCRASTINATION.

Oxford defines procrastination as “the action of delaying or postponing something.” I like that one way better than Webster’s which is “moving or acting slowly so as to fall behind” and it implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy. Cambridge is somewhere in the middle, “to keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring.”

In my case, it definitely isn’t laziness or apathy. It’s not boring either. Unpleasant yes. Tedious and frustrating would be the words I’d use to describe this situation. What am I talking about? BOOKING FLIGHTS!

I remember the days when I used to enjoy traveling. I think those were also the days when I’d let a travel agent do all the legwork. Now it’s a matter of pulling up a number of screens on my computer showing available flights from various airlines. I’m beyond looking at prices. Now it’s convenience that matters to me, as well as layover times. As I get older and airports get bigger and bigger, I find that my days of running marathons to make connecting flights are over.

There is absolutely no convenient way to travel from Aguascalientes to Wenatchee. But Alaska Airlines will get me where I’m going although it involves a 12 hour layover at LAX. That actually may be a good thing this year as I’m Canadian and Trump has changed the rules. I’ll have lots of time to deal with Customs and Immigration.

Now back to my itinerary. A bus from Aguascalientes to Guadalajara, a flight from Guadalajara to Los Angeles, a flight from Los Angeles to Seattle, and a flight from Seattle to Wenatchee. The option exists to take the Wenatchee Valley Shuttle from Seattle to Wenatchee rather than flying, but it’s more convenient to wait only an extra half hour to take the flight rather than the shuttle. It’s also a very short flight, usually only about a half hour, as compared with a three hour drive.

I finally booked my flights yesterday. And I’m glad I won’t have to perform this arduous task again until it’s time to return to Mexico in the fall.

Nov15

Hola de Aguascalientes

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Hola de Aguascalientes

Three flights and a bus trip. Every time I vow that it’s too exhausting I somehow do it again. And a big thank you to Alaska Airlines for bumping me up to First Class on number three. You’re my favorite airline.

Day four and I’m finally unpacked. I did it gradually this year instead of in a one day marathon. I didn’t have the energy or the inclination to do it any faster. I was also alternating trips to the corner tienda to stock my fridge and pick up other miscellaneous items.

The tienguis on Thursday was larger than the one when I left last spring. I think everyone is gearing up for Christmas here just like they’re doing up north. Of course the temperature was 84 degrees instead of the 44 when I left Wenatchee. The dreary rain has been replaced by brilliant sunshine.

Two new items in my room this year. Raul built me a desk. It’s much more comfortable than sitting in bed with my laptop. He also bought me a new microwave. I’m busy reading the manual in an attempt to improve my Spanish. That is huge. Those of you who know me are aware that I never read manuals.

I also started doing Duolingo again. After several months away, I need all the practice I can get, especially when it comes to grammar.

I watched a movie in Spanish this morning. My goal is to watch at least three a week. I don’t watch TV in English while I’m here and I don’t use subtitles when I watch movies in Spanish.

The two hour time difference was most welcome as it gave me a chance to get some badly needed sleep when I arrived. Of course it also means that I have to remember who is on which time zone now when I call my friends. Sorry about those 5 am texts some of you received the other day. It will get better.

I haven’t activated my Mexican number yet as I’ve decided to keep my American one. It’s a pain every spring when I return to Washington and have to get a new number. And I will get that Mexican chip going soon. It just isn’t a priority. There are people to see and places to go and that come first.

On Monday we have a holiday here – Revolution Day. And it’s also Buen Fin, the Mexican equivalent of Black Friday. The fun goes all weekend.

Speaking of weekends, have a good one!

Mar30

Last Post From Aguascalientes

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Last Post From Aguascalientes

The winter flew by fast. But my six months is up. I’m taking a break from packing. It’s easier packing to leave than to come here. Everything goes and nothing is left behind. But it’s still not a task I enjoy. I do love my packing cubes, so that definitely helps.

It’s been a week of goodbyes with friends—one last torta, one last desayuno, one last hamburguesa, one last cerveza together until October. That’s the hard part about leaving.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. Last year I went to Sage Hills in Wenatchee. This year I’ll be at one of the Catholic churches nearby. I wonder where I’ll be for Easter next year.

I will miss my lackadaisical days of writing when I feel like it. My life is a lot more structured up north. My April calendar is already filling up and I’m not even back yet. But I must admit I’m looking forward to my hair appointment at Shears. Every year I try out different stylists in Mexico but they can never quite seem to get it right.

I spoke to my daughter yesterday. I can’t believe my baby turned forty. Wasn’t it just yesterday I gave birth to her? Okay, I’ve embarrassed her enough if she’s reading this.

My journey home begins tomorrow at midnight when I take ETN to Puerto Vallarta. I opted for only one day there on the way back. Semana Santa is pretty crazy there. On Tuesday it’s Alaska to Wenatchee via Sea-Tac. And I refuse to check the weather forecast because I know it won’t be in the eighties and sunny.

To all who celebrate, have a blessed Easter. He is risen!

Feb15

Let’s Move On

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Let’s Move On

The Taylor Bowl should have ended on Sunday. But it’s Thursday and it’s still going on. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got more media coverage than the game. The 49ers came on strong, screwed up and blew it. Done, finished, over with. Don’t dwell on it.

And now for the weather. Are we back in December here? 50s instead of 80s? Rain? And it’s not even the rainy season. Enough already. Bring back the normal sunny warm weather to Aguascalientes. Friends in Guadalajara and Mazatlan and several other places in Mexico are complaining as well.

Alaska, my favorite airline, please have a little more respect for your flight attendants. Resolve this issue before it’s time for my return flight up north in April. Disgruntled employees are not in your best interests. Neither are dissatisfied customers.

Okay people. I’ve ranted enough for one day. Now for something more positive.

We’ve had iffy weather and along with it comes iffy internet. The Wi-Fi actually was only out for a few hours on Tuesday and I was able to catch the last twenty minutes of my Bible Study on Zoom. And in the evening I attended another Zoom session with NCW Library where we discussed conflict in terms of escalation and de-escalation. Tonight the topic is compassionate communication and that should be an interesting one.

Off to do some shopping and practice my Spanish.

Saludos!

Jan7

Jumping Into January

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Jumping Into January

On the playlist while I’m writing today are Simon and Garfunkel, Wednesday Morning 3 AM. Amazing what you can find on Spotify and You Tube. Also contemplating some Boston and Rick Neufeld. I’ll have to see how the mood goes.

Alaska Airlines, I’ve told you before that you’re my favorite airline. I also go out of my way to fly with you. But I am not impressed with what I heard about that flight out of Portland the other day. In fact, I don’t know that I may ever want a window seat again. Getting sucked out into space through a blown out window does not appeal. You have until April 2nd to do some maintenance on those 737 Max 9 aircraft.

Okay. That’s my rant for today.

It’s finally starting to warm up here. We’ve hit 70 a couple of times and we’re now supposed to be in the low 70s for the rest of the month. While it’s still below normal, it’s definitely better than the overnight lows of 34 degrees.

On Sundays I tune in to the livestream from Sage Hills Church in Wenatchee. Today there was an awesome guest pastor. I really miss going in person to that church and that is one thing I’m looking forward to when I get back in the spring.

In my last post I alluded to a mission I need to accomplish and friends have been asking me about that. Sorry but it isn’t time to give any more details just yet. I’m just starting to touch base with people who may be in a position to help me make that happen. The only clue you get right now is that it involves a trip to Canada.

King’s Day was yesterday and that’s the final event in the celebration of Christmas here in Mexico. And the kids actually are all back in the classrooms on Monday.

Speaking of classrooms, I was devastated to hear about the latest school shooting in Perry, Iowa. The most traumatic thing that ever happened when I was back in middle school was if we had a fire drill in the middle of winter when it was 40 below outside. I actually think I like those days better. I’ll take frostbite over a gunshot wound any day.

The war rages on in Gaza. Please keep praying for peace.

Jun15

Travel Time

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Travel Time

Monday morning was way too busy. I’ve been procrastinating about going to Canada and it was finally time to make some plans. First decision was when I should go. Health blip was taken care of and the fitness classes end next week. Guess I can go by the end of the month.

Next decision was how I go seeing as I am not flying on my broom. My first choice was Amtrak. But it got rather complicated when it came to crossing the border. Guess I’m flying.

Flights were tricky to book. My favorite airline, Alaska, won’t get me to Winnipeg. Air Canada flights and connections were a nightmare. Would have to claim my bag in Vancouver when going through Customs and recheck it. Guess it’s Delta.

Now I have to get to SeaTac. Best option is Wenatchee Valley Shuttle. And it will get me there late at night in time for the Red Eye to Minneapolis. One less hotel to book.

A long enough layover in Minneapolis before the flight to Winnipeg so that my cane can remain collapsed in my carry on. Another advantage is that leaves only one stop with one airline to misplace my bag. And it will go right through to Winnipeg hopefully. Inevitable delays in Customs will not result in a missed connection, just my friend Lise drinking way too many cups of coffee waiting for me.

Then there’s health insurance for the remainder of my time here in the USA. And settling the bill with Confluence for the health blip. And booking that last hair appointment at the salon. And a few other last minute phone calls and texts to get organized. And the obligatory FLIGHTS BOOKED announcement on Facebook.

Not bad. I started at 8:30 am and was done by 12:01 pm. Not even thinking about packing yet, although I did pick up some packing cubes last week. I guess I have to leave something for next week.

Oct2

Fly With Me

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Fly With Me

The other day I was talking with a friend and somehow the topic of airports came up. We compared experiences and horror stories. He commented that I’d flown in and out of a lot more airports than he had.

Later on I thought some more and decided to list all the airports. So here goes.

I’ll start with Mexico. My favorite airport to fly into is Guadalajara. My favorite airport to fly out of is Puerto Vallarta. My least favorite is Mexico City. Other airports I’ve used include Culiacan, Mazatlan, Cancun, Aguascalientes and Leon. That’s a total of eight.

Next will be Canada. No favorites or least favorites here. Just Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, London, Montreal, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Kelowna. That’s a total of eleven.

The winner is the USA. My new favorite airport is Pangborn in Wenatchee. My least favorite is Houston. The others include Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Ontario, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Tucson, Dallas, San Antonio, Atlanta, Denver, Minneapolis, Rochester, Fargo, Grand Forks, Chicago, Buffalo, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Savannah, Charleston, Honolulu, Wendover and Las Vegas. The total is thirty.

Oh, and I can’t forget Havana and Punta Cana. That’s two more.

Grand total is fifty-one. And I haven’t even gone to Europe!

My favorite airline is Alaska. There’s a tie for my least favorite airline between Air Canada and Westjet.

Airports have changed over the years. Many are now like small cities and have multiple terminals and trains connecting them. Dallas-Fort Worth even has its own zip code.

Traveling has definitely become more complicated since 9/11 and is even more so now with the additional challenge of COVID-19. I don’t envy the staff at TSA. And then throw in my knee replacements that always set off the metal detectors and require the body scanners.

Yes, I remember when I actually used to enjoy traveling by air. Not anymore. I now travel by air only because I have to.