Sleepless in Seattle

Well I recently traveled to Seattle for a pediatric conference. The conference was actually really good. The doctors giving their little talks were funny and had some great topics to discuss. I must say I am a little bit smarter after going on this trip. I did go on this trip by myself. Brad and I have been making lots of trips without each other here lately (some we have no control over) and I think the both of us have come to the conclusion that we are tired of traveling alone!! Some might think it’s just awful traveling without someone to share the memories with. I did my best to have a positive attitude the whole time and truly enjoyed my visit in Seattle. The town itself is BEAUTIFUL! Downtown Seattle was sooo clean. I was really impressed.

The trip went smoothly getting there. I tried my best to not look like a tourist but there were times I had to whip out map and it was like “all eyes on me.” Shoot. I have concluded the only way to look like a native in Seattle was to look forward and don’t smile at anyone, especially those holding out cups or cans for money. I had a pretty good idea on the names of different forms of transportation that I might need. If you have ever traveled in Seattle you would know what I’m talking about. Do I take the Light rail, or city bus or Monorail? But the names on the signs say Link rail…blahblahblah! It can get a little confusing. Anyone ever staying in Seattle I highly recommend the Grand Hyatt. It’s BEAUTIFUL! I wanted to get in the bathtub immediately, but I waited. I had a tour to get to. The first tour I participated was the “Underground Tour.” The tour guide had this really dry sense of humor but it was perfect for the tour. I was laughing the whole time. It’s underground because Seattle was first built at sea level which was stupid because the tide would go in and out and would mess the town’s roads up. So after a great fire that burned buildings down they rebuilt the town up a few feet above sea level. So during the tour you got to see what was there originally. The next day I went on the “Duck tour,” which takes you on this WWII amphibious craft around town including one of the lakes, like actually in the lake. I took a video of the craft making it’s decent in to the water. That’s a weird feeling!! But it was a great trip. The next day I went on a “Savor Seattle Food Tour.” I choose this tour to broaden my horizons as far as food goes. If any of you know the real Jennifer I am extremely picky with my food, I’m really terrible. But I ate things and drank things that I would never choose off a menu. Some were good and some were bad but I tried everything they sat in front of me. I am very VERY proud of myself.

I must say though the highlight of my trip, which wasn’t originally planned, involved the Yankees. Not only did I go to a great game, but they (the Yankees) were actually staying in my hotel. How cool is that?!?! I’m thinking I was on the elevator with them but I felt like such an idiot because I didn’t recognize anyone so I didn’t ask for pictures or autographs. The game was awesome though. The Mariners and Yankees were tied from the 4th inning until the 12th when the Mariners FINALLY got a winning run, ending the game around 11:30pm. During the game however, this was the best part, 4 young men rushed the field. The 3rd was nude! The crowd was going wild. I asked those around me if they had ever seen anything like this before and they said no. I even kept the sports section from the paper the day after because the writer even said “Some strange things were happening at Safeco Field last night.” I had to chuckle when I read that.

But all good things must come to an end, and boy did mine end with a whammy! I got a phone call the day before I was supposed to leave that my flight the next morning had been canceled (oh crapola). They quickly said there was a red eye flight leaving Seattle at 11:30 that night. So then I ask “well when is the next available flight? Well ma’am the next available seat isn’t until Wednesday,” and this was Sunday might I remind you. Hmm ok well that’s not going to work. Crap! So I agreed to take the redeye. But dangit I was going to go shopping that afternoon and relax in the hotels hot tub and have a great meal that night. So I finish what I had planned on doing that afternoon but without much enthusiasm. I get to the airport without problem. Decide to have a drink and some chips and dip at the airport. Then I decide I need a Dr. Pepper and some Junior Mints (a decision I wish I hadn’t made looking back). FINALLY I get on the darn plane about 11pm. I’m actually sitting next to a pretty interesting couple. So we have conversation for a little while until we all decide we should go to sleep. But I can not get comfortable. Usually on the plane I instantly fall asleep. It’s just proven I will take a nap without incident. The flight is about 3 ½ hours back to Dallas. I start getting REALLY uncomfortable and will sweat off and on, my stomach is churning. The thought crosses my mind that I might actually vomit but I push it aside. I don’t throw up on airplanes, are you crazy? HAHA. Never say never. About 10 minutes before they turn the lights on in the cabin I check in the pocket in front of me for a barf bag. Thank goodness…I found one. But the only good that did was let my stomach and my brain know that I could just let it all go. AND I DID! 5 Minutes before lights on, I realized why the junior mints were not a good idea. After I was done I quickly ran to the bathroom. Oh boy. I could not wait to get off that plane. I did have some time to relax and sleep it off at DFW but I was even happier to touch ground in Odessa.