Scholarship table
It’s funny because for 10 years, I drove the Elgin/ORD from Elgin to the office park next to the Westin off of 355/Thorndale. When I changed jobs 4 years ago, they started the Elgin/ORD expansion to what it is today. I never used it for work after it got significantly better, but also happily missed having to pay all those tolls.
Hmmmm...Glow worked in one of those buildings for almost 20 years.We are so old we were living where we live before both the Elgin OHare and I355.
Traveling to Spain/Portugal in September. Barcelona, Sevilla, Lisbon, Porto. Four days in each city. Any recommendations?
Wow, I'm very concerned for Benny. Being able to mimic Myron Medcalf's writing so closely implies an oncoming case of dementia.
Learn Spanish. Then Portuguese. Not to fluency... just enough to show you’re putting in an effort. Seriously.
Anybody have Edinburgh recommendations? Huge scotch lover but primarily stick to Highland and Islay scotches so I'm not too familiar with the local distilleries if anyone could advise. Anything that is a must do, must try restaurant/pub, or must skip attraction?
Never been but a quick google search and I'd try to hit this place in Edinburgh: https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/
I actually very much agree with this. Spain and Portugal are the two countries I’ve been to where it was striking how much of a difference in the travel experience was based on a willingness to try to speak the language.
Barcelona Picasso museum...who knew that already as a young man he was a highly skilled classic painter...think Velasquez/Zubaran Evening walk down Las Ramblas (main drag) toward the sea then left up along the beach Columbus ship replicas, great eats leftover improvements from 92 OlympicsHead up to the hills to site of 32 worlds fair recreation of multiple habitats with Gaudi works too....and of course Sagrada FamiliaOf your cities this is the best for an evening tapas crawl. Start in the old section near the main cathederalSevillaCathedral...biggest in Europe...lots of goldLa Giralda and El Alcazar...remember the Moors ruled much of Spain for almost 500 years and this was one of their capitalsThe river...take a tour boat....great views and very relaxingGreat food here try to sample Andalusian specialties every region of Spain prides itself on its local farePlaza de Espana best location of art tile work in Spain ...great for a relaxing siestaAs you'll miss Madrid where the best art is grab a little at the Museo de Bellas arteIf you can read spanish the General Archive of the Indies has all the documents of Columbus and of 300 years of spanish control of South AmericaWe try to get over annually also. This year its a few weeks in Madrid and Galicia in late August early September
Highly recommend Scran and Scallie pub for dinnerGood GIN distillery/tasting bar across from Waldorf Astoria - CaledonianWe hired a driver for a day who took us (among other places) to Aberfeldy (Highlands)
The Spaniards speak English but won't. In Portugal, they really don't speak English. My Spanish is good enough to order. The Portuguese people are some of the warmest around. Your Spanish can make do in Portugal. Btw, La Rambla is overrated. All Russian hookers and street thiefs. I would add Montserrat if you are in Barca for four days. Sevilla: Four days is a long time. Consider a day trip to Gibraltar and/or Morocco.
I once worked at a factory full of Portuguese and Brazilian immigrants. They all told me they can understand Spanish, but Spanish speakers can't understand them.
I flew a 787-9 from LAX to IAH the other day, while it didn't have full Polaris service, I definitely see your point. I'm 1K and got upgraded to 6L. The lay flat leaves alot to be desired, it is fairly narrow, and the arm rest doesn't move which makes laying fairly uncomfortable. I had a short flight relatively speaking for a 787, but I can see flying overseas and trying to be comfortable for an extended period of time being not worth the cash/points (if you don't get an auto upgrade).
Keep in mind... you're not paying a premium for Polaris. You're paying the premium to not be in coach.