A 3-day trip to Washington, DC with my wife and girls. We flew from Miami to Washington Reagan airport on American Airlines and stayed two nights at the Capitol Hilton hotel. The hotel was 4-5 blocks from the White House and with the aid solely of the Metro subway system and a great deal of walking we were able to visit:
The White House
World War II Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Washington Memorial
Vietnam Memorial
Arlington National Cemetery
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
International Spy Museum
Marine Barracks 8th & I, Friday Evening Parade
More info and photos to come
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Las Vegas, April 2009
Once again I headed out to Las Vegas for a long weekend. Well, this will be a pretty quick blog entry because this was by far my most boring outing to Las Vegas to date. We stayed at the MGM Grand hotel again in a fully accessible room with a roll-in shower. I've been wanting to stay at Mandalay Bay for a while, but against my better judgment I chose the MGM, again, mistake!
We flew out on Thursday, April 23, nonstop from Miami on American Airlines and were upgraded to first class based on my status with American and arrived at about 6:30pm local time. American had things well coordinated both in Miami and Las Vegas--an aisle chair ready at both ends and no noticeable damage to my chair this time. It was a pretty bumpy ride all the way out there. That was just an introduction to the three windy days ahead. An easy taxi ride to the hotel, about $15 with tip. Las Vegas is wonderful when it comes to wheelchair accessible taxis, as you rarely wait more than 5-10 taxis before an accessible one comes along. I believe each cab company is required to have 1/4 of its fleet wheelchair vans--not too bad!
On Friday we went to see Zumanity by Cirque du Soliel at the New York New York hotel. It was quite impressive, although I didn't expect it to be quite so risque, certainly not for children! Saturday I got up and had a shower. I rented a shower wheelchair from Universal Mobility again, however, the cost had mysteriously doubled to $95 (per week) from the $45-50 in the past. Then we were off to the Mexican Mecca--Bonito Michoacan Mexican Restaurant--located on Decatur and Twain. El Jefe, Victor, recognized us from previous visits and really made it another enjoyable meal. I highly recommend it to anyone who visits Las Vegas even if the cab ride costs more than the food!
I planned this trip to come back during the day Sunday rather than an overnight 'redeye.' It seemed like a good idea at the time to leave Las Vegas at 12:30pm, and connect to a 2:20pm flight in Los Angeles to Miami. The only two nonstops leave Vegas at 6:00am or 11:30pm, and I didn't want to get up at 3am. So we got up at 8:30am, finished packing, got checked out after causing a stir about why the casino wasn't comping more off my bill, and finally made it to the airport.
(Still a work in progress but wanted to update the blog, will post more soon)
We flew out on Thursday, April 23, nonstop from Miami on American Airlines and were upgraded to first class based on my status with American and arrived at about 6:30pm local time. American had things well coordinated both in Miami and Las Vegas--an aisle chair ready at both ends and no noticeable damage to my chair this time. It was a pretty bumpy ride all the way out there. That was just an introduction to the three windy days ahead. An easy taxi ride to the hotel, about $15 with tip. Las Vegas is wonderful when it comes to wheelchair accessible taxis, as you rarely wait more than 5-10 taxis before an accessible one comes along. I believe each cab company is required to have 1/4 of its fleet wheelchair vans--not too bad!
On Friday we went to see Zumanity by Cirque du Soliel at the New York New York hotel. It was quite impressive, although I didn't expect it to be quite so risque, certainly not for children! Saturday I got up and had a shower. I rented a shower wheelchair from Universal Mobility again, however, the cost had mysteriously doubled to $95 (per week) from the $45-50 in the past. Then we were off to the Mexican Mecca--Bonito Michoacan Mexican Restaurant--located on Decatur and Twain. El Jefe, Victor, recognized us from previous visits and really made it another enjoyable meal. I highly recommend it to anyone who visits Las Vegas even if the cab ride costs more than the food!
I planned this trip to come back during the day Sunday rather than an overnight 'redeye.' It seemed like a good idea at the time to leave Las Vegas at 12:30pm, and connect to a 2:20pm flight in Los Angeles to Miami. The only two nonstops leave Vegas at 6:00am or 11:30pm, and I didn't want to get up at 3am. So we got up at 8:30am, finished packing, got checked out after causing a stir about why the casino wasn't comping more off my bill, and finally made it to the airport.
(Still a work in progress but wanted to update the blog, will post more soon)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Frankfurt (Mainz), Germany, April 2009
A quick weekend trip to Germany, April 10-12, 2009
All the airlines are running promotions to help one maintain some level of elite status with that airline this spring. So, we took advantage of sub $500 flights to Frankfurt. Starting in Miami, we went through Dallas on the way over and returned through Chicago. All on American Airlines.
We departed Miami at about 11am for Dallas on flight 893. I have status with American and was upgraded to First Class a few days before the trip. An uneventful 2 1/2 hour flight to DFW, but I was a bit nervous since our scheduled connection was slightly more than an hour, which usually isn't enough since I'm generally the last one off the plane. It always amazes me just how long it takes to board and deplane an aircraft. It always reminds me of the clowns getting out of the VW at the circus, it never ends! Well, for better or worse, sitting in first class means that we're directly above the forward cargo door where my wheelchair is loaded and unloaded. Well, this time we unfortunately didn't have our cameras out and ready as my heavy electric wheelchair came shooting down the conveyor belt plummeting to earth. After they picked up all the pieces out on the ramp, they delived the chair to the jetway near the aircraft door in many more pices than I had left it with them in Miami, namely one piece! They wheeled me out of the aircraft in the little aisle chair and I was greeted with several apologetic customer service and gate agents from the airline, and as I don't consider myself a VIP by any means, I didn't take their presence as a positive thing. When I first saw my chair I did inquire about when the next flight directly back to Miami. Things weren't good, but after quite a bit of banging to reassemble various parts I determined that we'd at least give it a go and we headed into the terminal to begin the trek from Termial A to Terminal D. Fornunately once we found our gate, we also found a 'broke' plane and a delayed departure time. We wandered around the DFW airport for a few hours after dealing with customer service relating my 'broke' chair and who to send the bill to; and even more courteous was being bumped up the Business class for our inconvienience--a nice gesture for a 10 hour overnight flight. I once again boarded early using the little aisle chair, then come the masses. The flight had many seats open in both business and coach (and I assume first class as well), maybe the reason for the low fares.
We arrived in Frankfurt at about 9:30am on April 11th, and within seconds of the last passenger deplaning two strong men in semi-medical looking attire appeared with an ailse chair and promptly lifted me from the plane's seat to the aisle chair and rolled me out into the jetway where my chair had been waiting for me. Once again it incurred a bent legrest, but once bent back into place we were off. We were also met by a nice young girl, Rebecca, who escorted us through immigration (or total lack thereof), baggage claim, and the exit door (aka Customs). She was really a great help when it came to finding the train
More to come, with pictures, of the train ride from the airport to Mainz, our brief stay at the Mainz Hilton, and our return trip.
9/25/10
All the airlines are running promotions to help one maintain some level of elite status with that airline this spring. So, we took advantage of sub $500 flights to Frankfurt. Starting in Miami, we went through Dallas on the way over and returned through Chicago. All on American Airlines.
We departed Miami at about 11am for Dallas on flight 893. I have status with American and was upgraded to First Class a few days before the trip. An uneventful 2 1/2 hour flight to DFW, but I was a bit nervous since our scheduled connection was slightly more than an hour, which usually isn't enough since I'm generally the last one off the plane. It always amazes me just how long it takes to board and deplane an aircraft. It always reminds me of the clowns getting out of the VW at the circus, it never ends! Well, for better or worse, sitting in first class means that we're directly above the forward cargo door where my wheelchair is loaded and unloaded. Well, this time we unfortunately didn't have our cameras out and ready as my heavy electric wheelchair came shooting down the conveyor belt plummeting to earth. After they picked up all the pieces out on the ramp, they delived the chair to the jetway near the aircraft door in many more pices than I had left it with them in Miami, namely one piece! They wheeled me out of the aircraft in the little aisle chair and I was greeted with several apologetic customer service and gate agents from the airline, and as I don't consider myself a VIP by any means, I didn't take their presence as a positive thing. When I first saw my chair I did inquire about when the next flight directly back to Miami. Things weren't good, but after quite a bit of banging to reassemble various parts I determined that we'd at least give it a go and we headed into the terminal to begin the trek from Termial A to Terminal D. Fornunately once we found our gate, we also found a 'broke' plane and a delayed departure time. We wandered around the DFW airport for a few hours after dealing with customer service relating my 'broke' chair and who to send the bill to; and even more courteous was being bumped up the Business class for our inconvienience--a nice gesture for a 10 hour overnight flight. I once again boarded early using the little aisle chair, then come the masses. The flight had many seats open in both business and coach (and I assume first class as well), maybe the reason for the low fares.
We arrived in Frankfurt at about 9:30am on April 11th, and within seconds of the last passenger deplaning two strong men in semi-medical looking attire appeared with an ailse chair and promptly lifted me from the plane's seat to the aisle chair and rolled me out into the jetway where my chair had been waiting for me. Once again it incurred a bent legrest, but once bent back into place we were off. We were also met by a nice young girl, Rebecca, who escorted us through immigration (or total lack thereof), baggage claim, and the exit door (aka Customs). She was really a great help when it came to finding the train
More to come, with pictures, of the train ride from the airport to Mainz, our brief stay at the Mainz Hilton, and our return trip.
9/25/10
Monday, February 16, 2009
Punta del Este, Uruguay & Buenos Aires, Argentina February 2009
A Seven Day trip to Punta del Este, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Beach in Punta del Este, Uruguay
February 3
Depart Miami on American Airlines flight 989 nonstop to Montevideo, Uruguay.
I had called American's Special Assistance number ahead of time (as I always do) to give them all of the information about my needs and my wheelchair. Check-in went quickly, I was given the obligatory 'Heavy' baggage tag for my wheelchair and confirmed that there would be an aisle chair (a narrow little chair to get me down the aisle of the plane) waiting at the gate for me. I was assured that it would be. Well, we wandered down to our gate in the satellite E concourse ahead of the one hour prior to departure boarding time (1 hr. for the general public--Could it really take an hour to board a plane? Apparently in Miami that's a resounding Yes.), notified the gate agent of my presence and was quickly surrounded by the airport's contracted 'helpers,' which did genuinely seem eager to do their job, namely, help.
It didn't help the our gate was in the 'High E' Satelitte concourse that willl eventually phased out--I just didn't remamber the fun we could have! After playing a little over-the-river-and through-the-woods using decrepit tiny elevators to go down to the plane level, followed by the meandering through maze of international arrival hallways that had no gate markings whatsoever (just 'Go Back, No Entry' signs), then a series of sliding doors that took various combinations of ID access cards and keys that would've made Maxwell Smart proud, we finally arrived at our gate. Unfortunately, American's gate agents decided that a perfect time to begin general boarding was during our little lab rat in the maze quiz downstairs, which we apparently failed because when we finally got to the door of the plane there was no aisle chair to be found.
Flight was scheduled to depart at 11pm, but didn't push back until after midnight.
February 4
Transit from Montevideo Airport to Punta del Este and Check-in
February 5
Punta del Este, Uruguay
February 6
Punta del Este, Uruguay
February 7
Punta del Este, Uruguay
February 8
Depart Punta del Este by bus to Montevideo, then Buquebus ferry to Buenos Aires
February 9
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sitting on the Puente de la Mujer bridge in the Puerto Madero area with the Customs House in the background. The
February 10
Buenos Aires, Argentina
February 11
Depart Buenos Aires, Argentina and Arrive in Miami, Flight 908
A view of the Buenos Aires Airport (Ezeiza) check-in area from the second floor, AA checkin area in the far distance. Unlike our 2008 trip, the ONE elevator in the airport outside security was working this time.
February 12
Arrivehome in Miami
Much more detail and phothos to come!
The Beach in Punta del Este, Uruguay
February 3
Depart Miami on American Airlines flight 989 nonstop to Montevideo, Uruguay.
I had called American's Special Assistance number ahead of time (as I always do) to give them all of the information about my needs and my wheelchair. Check-in went quickly, I was given the obligatory 'Heavy' baggage tag for my wheelchair and confirmed that there would be an aisle chair (a narrow little chair to get me down the aisle of the plane) waiting at the gate for me. I was assured that it would be. Well, we wandered down to our gate in the satellite E concourse ahead of the one hour prior to departure boarding time (1 hr. for the general public--Could it really take an hour to board a plane? Apparently in Miami that's a resounding Yes.), notified the gate agent of my presence and was quickly surrounded by the airport's contracted 'helpers,' which did genuinely seem eager to do their job, namely, help.
It didn't help the our gate was in the 'High E' Satelitte concourse that willl eventually phased out--I just didn't remamber the fun we could have! After playing a little over-the-river-and through-the-woods using decrepit tiny elevators to go down to the plane level, followed by the meandering through maze of international arrival hallways that had no gate markings whatsoever (just 'Go Back, No Entry' signs), then a series of sliding doors that took various combinations of ID access cards and keys that would've made Maxwell Smart proud, we finally arrived at our gate. Unfortunately, American's gate agents decided that a perfect time to begin general boarding was during our little lab rat in the maze quiz downstairs, which we apparently failed because when we finally got to the door of the plane there was no aisle chair to be found.
Flight was scheduled to depart at 11pm, but didn't push back until after midnight.
February 4
Transit from Montevideo Airport to Punta del Este and Check-in
February 5
Punta del Este, Uruguay
February 6
Punta del Este, Uruguay
February 7
Punta del Este, Uruguay
February 8
Depart Punta del Este by bus to Montevideo, then Buquebus ferry to Buenos Aires
February 9
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sitting on the Puente de la Mujer bridge in the Puerto Madero area with the Customs House in the background. The
February 10
Buenos Aires, Argentina
February 11
Depart Buenos Aires, Argentina and Arrive in Miami, Flight 908
A view of the Buenos Aires Airport (Ezeiza) check-in area from the second floor, AA checkin area in the far distance. Unlike our 2008 trip, the ONE elevator in the airport outside security was working this time.
February 12
Arrivehome in Miami
Much more detail and phothos to come!
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