| It is Wednesday afternoon and we have finally all arrived in Casablanca. A long journey made all the more enjoyable sharing it we friends Jewel and Gypsy in the comfort of the highest form of airline comfort! thankfully it worked out well for all. As a result we whizzed through security and after a momentary bout of lapsed memory, we broke the chains of "steerage" bondage and made our way to the Executive Lounge -- vowing never again (on this adventure true) to forget we were traveling in style! Mama Rosa, who left from Orange County on Monday to overnight in London via San Francisco, met us at our hotel. |
Next, we headed to our gate and discover our best surprise thus far . . . Our Iberia plane was only 20 days old. Yes, brand, spanking new with individual "pods" that transform into completely flat sleeping berths. After "nesting", I sampled each of the delicious red Spanish wines being offered including a 2009 Vina Real Oro Reserva, a 2010 Valduera 22 Meses, and my favorite, a 2008 Vetus that is 100% Tinta de Toro grapes. For dinner I selected smoked salmon and Parmesan salad, balsamic vinegar of Pedro Ximenez vinaigrette, warm breads with Spanish extra-virgin olive oil and a cheese plate with a prune as my starter. Dinner was roasted Spring chicken with a vegetable ragout with hazelnuts. Rather than the pistachio cake with melon and mango, I opted for some dark chocolate (surprise, huh?) and chamomile and anise tea. During dinner I discovered in the entertainment system new favorite singer -- Draco Rosa -- and his album "Vida!" Afterwards i watched "Inside Llewelyn Davis" and a subtitled romantic Spanish comedy, which I think is titled "Three Weddings."
This morning, we began the day with three breakfasts -- croissants, seasonal fruit and yogurt on the plane, upon waking; smoked salmon, potato frittata and sautéed mushrooms at the Executive Lounge in Madrid; and an omelet and croissant on the plane to Casablanca . . . Thankfully we had a chance to walk between concourses for a bit of exercise! With no lunch . . . Gypsy, whom I am rooming with tonight, and I are beginning conversations about dinner options :) -- in between figuring out internet and phones, catching up on emails, and playing Words With Friends with some of you back home. Tough life . . . but it should get more exciting in the days and weeks ahead . . . Stay tuned!