Text 27899, 83 rader
Skriven 2012-08-03 10:50:00 av MICHAEL LOO (1:123/140)
Ärende: july wanderings 69
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Derecho and Fiorella's Jack Stack
Well, around 2130 a line of huge thunderstorms appeared and
parked just north of us; it stuck around until the 3 range,
and shortly after its arrival all power went out and wasn't
restored until about 0500. So much for the club lounge.
During the dark I called UA and found that our original
flight had been cancelled, and of course we'd been
rescheduled via IAH and assigned to random places, one of
hers in row 18, which is the worst place on about any
aircraft that isn't a CRJ. Some negotiations ensued.

As we didn't have to get to the airport until two hours
later than planned, we did check out yet another free
breakfast, where I found ripe bananas and watery juice.
I saved the still-unripe Hampton banana for later.

UA4369 BNA IAH 0835 1036 E45 3AC
  4307 IAH MCI 1132 1231 E45 3CD
was
  5966 BNA ORD 0654 0838 E45 12BC
  5592 ORD MCI 1015 1144 CR7 1CD

It was hard to figure out which was the priority security
line, but that was not a big deal as there were about 3
people in each line, and the process took about as long as
the time it took to type this sentence, so we had plenty of
time to visit the cute little Admiral's Club and have a cup
of coffee and a chocolate muffin or two (no booze at this
hour) before going across the airport to our gate.

We ended up with seats across the aisle from each other,
so we could shout over and pretend we were an old couple
who like to be near but not too near and who furthermore
get up every five minutes and both need aisle seats! Not
far from the truth, actually.

We got in early enough so lunch at Pappadeaux presented
itself as a possibility, as we'd get to Stroud's (this had
been plan A) late enough that we'd ruin our appetite for
Jack Stack - the trials of a food tour! Oysters, even Gulf
ones, are a truly fine invention and not filling at all.
I think to feed her Lilliness, Lilli had a burger. Good beer.

The next leg, on the same type of aircraft, we at least
got to sit next to each other. It was a really short flight.

Got a car, sped southward to Crown Center, found free
parking by the park across from the Westin - it is rumored
to be hugely difficult to get from the Sheraton garage to
the hotel, owing to the lobby undergoing a full reimagining,
which is understandable as I suppose this particular space
should be cleansed periodically physically and psychically.

We got a large suite, very impressive. My quarters were
exceedingly comfortable.

Jack Stack is a 2/3 mile nearly all indoor stroll from the
hotel via The Link. Not having had communication all day,
we didn't know that the plan had been changed, but when we
arrived at the empty patio, the 100-degree heat made it
clear where people must have gone, and so it was - the bar
next door, whose name escapes me. A few beers, and time to
head back, where our friend Chris, who had used to work there
and whose roommate still did, had arranged a private room for
us. I asked for half a pound of fatty brisket; what came was
a nice-size block of what is generally called burnt end,
sided by bbq beans. Turns out I had been charged for a
platter rather than bulk, not a problem, but then I should
have got a second side, also not a problem as there was
enough food. I also tried the beef ribs, meaty, fatty, and
nice; creamy cole slaw (ecch); and the famous cheesy corn,
which Chris had touted as the best side in the house
- this was kernel corn in a Velveetoid sauce, simple,
sinful, silly, stupidly caloric, but actually quite tasty.
Even Lilli, who had had a bad experience with it before,
agreed it was worth getting. Walked home with John from
Washington, whom I never see there but do around the world,
past a peculiar art exhibition in Union Station featuring
works by people who daylighted in 9 to 5 jobs. Some of the
stuff was really good.
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