Cheers, Air Canada (Day 1-1.5)

While this may not be the most interesting first posting, I thought I’d at least mark my arrival. Granted, it’s a couple days in, but really the first chance I’ve had to write a bit (and the last chance I’ll have for a while, given that arrival day for students is tomorrow).

My flight left Denver on time, no problems. In fact, the only real issue on day 1 came with my curious decision to confuse my seat number with my gate number. Fortunately, there simply is no gate 3C at DIA, which prompted me to hurry back to the train and, eventually, B80 (oddly, the guy at the counter in Denver hassled me more on the purpose of my trip than UK immigration…not sure what the deal is there).

I connected through Calgary, and had to wheel my bags the 50 yards from the claim through customs (a job that really could have been done by a conveyor belt…I mean, seriously, Canada). Hoping for a comfortable hop across the Atlantic, even at my own expense, I asked if there were any upgrade options for the next leg. Apparently, you can only get an upgrade if you have the special red voucher. Not only did I not have said voucher, but the lady at the desk was very careful not to explain how to get one. A bit of an oddity there. I had an aisle seat, so no real complaints.

Which brings me to the point. Air Canada is, aside from the strange voucher thing, absolutely aces in my book. More leg room than any other flight I’ve been on (good for 8 hour flights), along with a free entertainment system, free food (it’s a crime not to feed you, surely), and…drumroll…free booze. Brilliant. If you’re wondering, I finished reading A Star Called Henry and then watched The Losers and Hot Tub Time Machine. I was punchy enough to find both films entertaining, but have no intention of watching them again, lest they be ruined for me (the same experience as when I flew to Germany, where I watched The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and Talladega Nights…neither of which I ever intend to view again).

Arrival was nice, and though it was still Day 1 for me, it was Tuesday in London, and foggy. With rain. Seemed appropriate.

I took the train from Heathrow to Paddington Station (!), then a cab up to Hampstead. Ann was nice enough to drag me around all afternoon to help fight off the jet lag, which was helpful.

I did get a good night’s sleep, and then it was off to London proper the next day. Which I will write about as soon as I get back from the pub…