Trip 1 - Day 3 - Part 1

I believe we are now to March 11th, right? 

We got in a hot shower, thinking that this could be our last for a while, and went downstairs for our complimentary breakfast. The Capthorne put out a beautiful buffet with scrambled eggs, baked beans, marinated hot mushrooms, chicken sausages (no pork of course), grilled tomatoes, hardboiled eggs, fresh fruit, pancakes (definitely not IHOP), espresso machines, etc.

We were thrilled to run into some of our travel buddies at breakfast this morning!!! It was so nice to find someone who spoke English!! They're from Kansas City, by way of Texas (a match made in heaven for Daddy), and were on their way to Ethiopia to adopt two girls, siblings. The Mrs. and I had connected a while back and it was so nice to finally meet her in person. It was an instant connection and we couldn't wait to spend more time with them.

The four of us caught the shuttle back to the airport and checked in - us at an express terminal and Kansas City at a not-express terminal. We met back up at passport control and Kansas City felt it necessary to share with us that they had been bumped up to business class. Way to rub it in, KC!

Oh wait. We had been bumped up too!! Shut the front door!!

After passport control we had to strip down to nearly nothing (not really) and send everything through the x-ray machine...AGAIN.  Hold up.  Who's black and orange backpack is this??  Uh oh.  Ummm...that would be mine.  (Let me remind you at this point that we are in DUBAI - the airport about which we read stories about a man being jailed for four years for having a poppy seed crumb on his shirt!!)  Do you have scissors in your bag?  Umm....scissors...ummm...yeah...I think I do...in my makeup bag.  I was instructed to get them out.  How did they not catch this in San Franscisco???  Why did I not think about the pair of scissors that I keep in my makeup bag before flying??  Scissors - found - disposed of - end of story.  Phew!

Christ in...Peace out.

Being that we were in business class (ahem), we were the last group to board, however this time around "boarding" meant boarding a bus and riding for at least two miles to our plane.  This place was HUGE!  We got off the bus and boarded the plane in the hot and muggy outdoors, but it was all worth it once we were shown to our seats.  Wow!  (Refer to the picture for the rest of this description.)  We each had our own small pod of sorts.  The armrests in the center opened up to reveal our touchscreen "command center".  With this device we could fully recline our seats, raise the foot rest, activate the MASSAGE system, etc.  Our pillows had REAL pillow cases, the blankets were quilts, the little thing by the headrest is a movable book light, and our T.V. screens came up and out of a center console, had arms that extended out in front of us, and then the screens swiveled to our desired position.  We were the first row of business class after first class, so we had TONS of leg room, but I think probably any seat in business class has ample leg room.  As soon as we sat down, our flight attendant brought a tray with glasses (not plastic) of fresh orange juice or champagne (champagne was the one beverage that was not free in economy class).  Shortly after that, he came around with various newspaper selections.  Shortly after that, he came around with hot, steamy, lemon-scented towels for our pleasure (He actually came around two or three more times with these towels before the less than four hour flight was over.  The last time, he actually apologized.  Really?  Apologizing for bringing me a slice of heaven?).  Here's something interesting: In business class, the flight attendants have conversations with the passengers.  They ask where you are going, why, if you've been there before, etc. 

Shortly after that, our breakfast menu was handed to us.  Now, I know that this whole business class thing is taking up quite a bit of space, but when you're using to living in economy class...this is worth writing about.  Before taking our breakfast order, we were served our "starter" tray, on a tablecloth, with china and silverware with the Emirates logo on it.  Fresh fruit, yogurt, jars of jam and/or honey, tea or coffee, a glass of water, and our choice of a "fancy" bread - I chose a croissant.  Do you see the multiple forks, spoons, and knifes on the tray?  The ceramic salt and pepper shakers? 

Breakfast Main Course Options:

Asparagas Omelette

Creamy asparagus omelette served with lamb sausages, roasted new potato wedges, sauteed spinach, and tomato with baked beans.

Poached Eggs

with smoked salmon, creamy spinach and a classic hollandaise sauce accompanied with grilled lamb loin and chicken sausage and sauteed mushrooms.

Granny Smith Fritters

accompanied by crepes filled with creme patisserie served with citrus compote.

Cheese Selection and Cold Cuts

which include cheddar, Ackawi and tomato cup filled with Philadelphia cream cheese, peppered roast beef fillet and chicken pastrami, served with an array of garnishes, olives, and crudites.

What an incredibly difficult decision.  What's Ackawi?  Life-altering decision.  Looking back now, we should have divided and conquered.  However, we both chose the poached eggs.  It was all deliciously different.  After my "starter" tray, I only had room for a few bites of each thing, but it was worth it.

Shortly after breakfast, the flight attendant brought the beverage menu.  Yes.  A beverage menu.  Daddy's eye was caught by the Chivas 18 Year and Glenfiddich 15 Year.  Sure, it was only 11:00 a.m. in Dubai, but it was noon somewhere and it was FREE.  While sipping on his Chivas, Daddy was interrupted once again by the flight attendant with an "Excuse me sir, but when I drink my whisky, I like to have some nuts to snack on," and he presents Daddy with a dish of shelled pistachios, cashews, almonds, etc.  Unbelievable.

I think that's the extent of the loveliness that is business class.  I should mention that a business class ticket costs about $9,700 more than an economy ticket.  The dichotomy of it all was killing me.  Business class on the way to one of the poorest countries in the world from which I am adopting a baby boy because his mother simply cannot afford to feed him.

Day 3 to be continued...