First stage of our journey/adventure

OMG!!  This trip is so amazing and it has hardly begun!!

 Neil and I boarded our plane in Calgary to head for Chicago.  It was a small plane with only 7 first class seats.  This is our first time flying first/Executive Class together.  I highly recommend it to everyone.  Once a few other passengers were on board, there appeared a bunch of gentleman getting on the plane each wearing hats I did not recognize.  They seem to be a group of some kind.  One carried on some large and fancy cameras.  Then a lady entered and along with her a very well dressed gentleman with a formal elegant style of turban on.  They sat in the two seats right in front of us.  One of the people in the group sat across from me and it was not long before we realized he was a security person for this couple in front of us.  An announcement was made to welcome “His Holiness Khalifatul Masih V" onboard and they said he was here working for World Peace.  The flight staff had strict instructions on how to behave in his presence.   They were not allowed to shake his hand when he boarded, etc. 

I was so curious that I asked Neil for his cell phone so I could get a picture.  Of course, he said no…don’t… but he also knows me well enough to know that I don’t give up easily.  I would never take the man’s picture without his consent.  So, I spoke to the security guy across from me.  He was very pleasant.  I asked if I could ask him a question?  He responded “ask all the questions you like my dear.”  I found out that they were here from India on business and were just on their way home.  That they have been here a couple of times before and they especially enjoyed Banff, Alberta.   I told him we were on our way to Rome on vacation and that struck up some conversation.  Then I told him we were from the Northwest Territories in Canada.  That got his attention.  He had heard of the NWT and Nunavut and was excited to ask me more  about it.  I had to laugh when he told me he has watched the TV show “Ice Road Truckers.”  He was amazed that anyone could travel on the ice roads and not just the truckers.  Soon after I asked if it would be ok if I took a picture of his Holiness and he said it would be fine.  He also gave me a business card and told me that we could find out more about why they were here online.  We have not had time to look it up yet but intend to, website:    www.amjinternational.org  

 When we landed we stayed in our seats until they all exited.  They seemed very thankful for my politeness.  Several of them thanked me as they left the plane.  I was so excited about the entire experience that I was giddy.  What a great way to start of our vacation.  I could not stop smiling.  Neil of course laughing at me.  This was shaping up to be just like every trip Neil and I have ever taken together, one big adventure.

 We  were now at the Chicago O’Hare airport, only the United Airlines section, and it was huge.  We found it simple to make our way to our gate to wait for our connection on United Airlines that would now be the long part of our journey to take us to Munich, Germany.  We got onboard and found out that the Business Class on this flight got their own individual pods, a picture is below.  We were in first class right behind them and had similar seats/pods but two,  side by side.  Behind us was the economy section.  Our seats had tons of leg room and gadgets galore.  Neil played with his chair while testing out all the buttons and the remote control.  I watched as he lowered his seat like a recliner chair with a foot rest and then it continued to stretch out into a flatbed for sleep.   Our seats came with a full size pillow, blanket, headphones, and a gift package.  There is a power plug-in for your electronics and we each had about a 15 inch size screen with access to tons of movies, TV shows, games, etc.  Neil looked at me and said “this is the only way I want to fly from now on.”  We are now officially spoiled, lol.  Oh ya, forgot to mention the seats on the plane go both directions, so we were actually flying backwards to Europe, weird.  What fantastic upgrades have been made to these planes for these long distance trips.  They only missed one thing…they forgot to upgrade the bathrooms, as they are still the size of a Greyhound bus washroom. 

The airline stewardesses were a welcome bunch with a great sense of humor.  This plane ride is so smooth you don’t even feel like you are flying. 

Then came dinner, holy crap!  There were several choices, but I will just let you know what Neil and I had.  First course:  Chilled Appetizer and fresh seasonal greens and a beverage.  Second course:  Tenderloin of beef and Neuberg style seafood with a lobster cream sauce and a variety of breads. (sorry did not get a good picture of these) Also wine was offered.  Third course:  International cheese selections with crackers and grapes.  Fourth course:  dessert, ice cream with your choice of toppings.   Lastly they brought us tea and coffee.  What's nice--we had actual dishes and silverware, not a plastic little square dish covered with tin foil and plastic forks and spoons.  All of this was included in our ticket.  Thank you Aeroplan! 

Well folks, we have watched a movie and we only have 4 hours left of this flight.  So I think it is time for me to sign off and try out this inflight bed.  See you for breakfast.  Goodnight…Tori 

 

His Holiness Khalifatul Masih V

 Pod on United Airlines flight