LUXURY

As I mentioned in a previous post, I had a heck of a time making it to Singapore. Unlike some disgruntled travellers, I was one of the few to cheerfully thank the flight attendants as they regretfully told me I would have so stay the evening in some random hotel across the world.

One amazing occurance that I may never again get to experience is being bumped up to World Business Class, aka first class, on a twelve hour flight. It was wonderful and I have never been pampered in such a way in my entire life. We were each seated in wide reclining seats that had compartments containing hideaway LCD screens that allowed you to watch the first run movie of your choice. I watched a documentary hosted by Lisa Ling about China and then flipped over to Madagascar, a CG kids' flick about animals escaping from the New York zoo.

There were two flight attendants dedicated to serving us. For each meal we could select from three gourmet choices on the menu. For dinner I had salmon lasagne and for breakfast I had a savory omlette with granola. If we became hungry or thirsty between meals, the attendants offered us an endless and infinite selection of beverages and there was a never ending basket full of chocolates.

At one point in the flight, they brought out a shopping cart offering a variety of items. I can't decide if this is just another luxury or if the rich who usually fly in World Business Class are so addicted to consumption that they view it as a necessity.

As we left the plane, the KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) flight attendants handed us little Blue Delft houses.

I wish I had some poignant observation to make or grand conclusion I could present about this experience. I'm from Missouri, my family's isn't rich and I'm used to Wal-mart, Aldi, and, if I really wanted to go upscale, Target. Unless someone in my family wins the lottery, I will probably never fly first class again and I don't expect to. In some ways, I am glad. I am glad that I don't live life completely pampered and coddled. I feel like falling in the category of comfortable middle class consumer is more than enough, maybe too much. Even though it is dangerous to wish this, my real hope is that I will be able to accept almost any circumstance in life with a cheerful and thankful heart.