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Oh, I forgot one. I told my travel agent to be on the lookout for a cheap flight-only to Cancun, my wife and I wanted to go down there for some jungle birding. I never expected that I'd get a call back, but sure enough, he called with $99 RT Detroit to Cancun, with one night in the Detroit hotel and three days of free airport parking. So we went on less than 48 hours notice.
About 12 years ago, I was to the point of not liking my job anymore. My commute took me by the airport and there were many days when I thought about calling in sick and just going and getting on a plane. Never did it though.
as an airline employee this type of trip is common for me. pizza for lunch in chicago, or a cubs game, cajun in new orleans, watch a space shuttle launch, catch a concert somewhere, hit the buffets in vegas, tailgate at a nascar race, sand castle days at padre island, sleep on a beach in florida somewhere, the list goes on.....
It is much easier for an airline employee and their dependents to do this type of last minute trip on a whim vs. the average person.
In these days of increased TBA security I didn't know this "spur of the moment" trip was possible. Every time I fly the plane is full, so I assumed everyone purchased well in advance. Anyway, sounds fun! I wonder if the last minute trips are really expensive if not a "special" fare.
I spent many years in my youth thinking about going to visit America. There always seemed something more important to do with the time and money. My dad became ill, and spent two weeks at my home after leaving hospital following a heart attack.
I talked more with him in those two weeks than I had done for years. He knew I was frustrated with my life at that time. My marriage wasn't going too well. I was 34 years old, and feeling trapped by work, family, and my wife. He asked me what, if anything I wanted to do. I told him I had always wanted to visit America. We were alone, my wife and children were in bed. He said, "I'm only 55 years old, and my health is shot. There is so much I wished I had done. You go David....... you go and visit America."
Later that night, my dad had another heart attack, and literally died in my arms. After the funeral, what he had said played on my mind. I went in an agency and asked about flights to New York City. They said they could book me a flight, a night in a hotel, and a two week greyhound bus pass. I booked it, and went into work to sort the time off I needed.
I went home and told my wife. She wasn't pleased. She thought it was something to do with the shock of my dad dying. There was something in that looking back now. A few days later, I packed a large soft shoulder bag with jeans, shirts, socks, and a spare pair of shoes, and off I went to the airport. This was in July 1988. I had a room booked for one night at a hotel down near the United Nations building.
I arrived in NYC to a sweltering hot day. I caught a bus into the city, and was dropped off at Grand Central station. I walked to the hotel after asking directions. I spent the night there, then made my way to the Greyhound bus station, and caught a bus out. It was going to Las Angeles....... I decided I would get off somewhere along the way..........
I went through Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and on into Ohio. I wanted to see a small American town. But the bus only stopped in large cities. Eventually, about 10 at night, the bus arrived in Zanesville, Ohio. I was exhausted from about 15 hours on the bus. So I got off the bus......... I walked through the center of Zanesville until I found a motel. I stayed the night.
The morning after I went walking for a look around. I was entranced....... big old wooden houses just like in the movies! A kid riding a bike throwing newspapers into yards...... restaurants with strange names like 'Roy Rogers.' I loved it!! From Zanesville I just traveled on buses, and eventually made my way to Atlantic City. I stayed in a casino for the first time, and walked on the boardwalk. After that, I made my way back to NYC, and stayed at the YMCA........ I saw some Broadway shows, and went up the Empire State Building. Did all the usual tourist stuff. I had a great time, and met some real interesting people in that two week visit.
I have visited America many times since then. But have never forgotten that first trip done on impulse. My second wife came with me to NYC a couple of times. She was amazed at what I did all those years ago. I managed to convince her to ride the subway over to Queen's for a Greek meal, and a ride down to Coney Island for a hot dog, and a walk by the sea. But a bus ride to Ohio - no.........!
I can be a spontaneous person, but when it comes to trips, I'm very anal when it comes to planning the perfect trip to a T. However, with that said, when the time comes in my life where money is not an issue, I would love to get one of those emails from Delta offering $100 flights to somewhere I've never been if I bought the ticket TODAY. I would surely be down for an adventure like that.
In these days of increased TBA security I didn't know this "spur of the moment" trip was possible. Every time I fly the plane is full, so I assumed everyone purchased well in advance. Anyway, sounds fun! I wonder if the last minute trips are really expensive if not a "special" fare.
Pretty much all the airlines do last minute weekend specials, though they may not have anything for your home airport for the next few weekends. Got one of those from American today because I'm on their e-mail list for that.
Yes I have before (only on short haul trips for spur of the moment bookings eg Scotland, Spain). I enjoy traveling on my own just as much as traveling with a group of people both have their benefits. When you travel on your own it gives you a lot more freedom to do what YOU want to do. If you don't plan the trip you're not fixed to any schedule of sorts either which is also great. Whenever I don't plan a trip I always find talking to/getting to know the locals is the best way to find out the best things to do in the country/city you are visiting.
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