Texas - We've got Competition!!

Well, I made it through my first week up here in the land of Native American Indians and started my second week scraping ice from the windshield of my car. Yes, this Southeast Texas on Galveston Bay gal had to scrape ice off the car windows so she could see to drive. We, rather “I” don’t do ice! I used my hotel key cards for the scraping – worked pretty good too!

Being a Texan (by osmosis, I admit it) we are used to people telling us how friendly we are and of course we always brag about our hospitality. Well, folks, I think I’ve met our match! Now, most all ya’ll know, I am a friendly person – never met a stranger and if I did, they weren’t a stranger for long.

First morning here, went to eat breakfast at the hotel and out pops the lady who takes care of refreshing the catering dishes and making sure everything is ship shape. She walks into the room and in this big voice not only wishes me a good morning but she sings it as well. Come on, it’s 7 AM, my eyes are barely open and this lady is singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.”?!

And it doesn’t end there. I walk out into the lobby, people look at you and smile like they’re at a pickin’ and grinnin’ contest! It’s an explosion of hellos, hi there’s and good mornings! And then there’s the traffic… ok, there’s really not much traffic in Bartlesville. It takes me nearly five whole minutes to get to the office parking lot!

Being, that last Monday was my first trek to the office, I was not quite sure where I was going and ended up in the wrong lane on a street where the lanes merge. I slow way down and wait for the car to the right of me to go on…. He stops! Signals me to move over and away we go. This is not what happens in Houston that’s for sure. You make the mistake of getting on one of those roads where the two lanes merge to one and you are tough out of luck until there’s a break in traffic. Not here! The driving courtesy is something to see – people actually let you in, wait for you to exit and in general give you the right of way even if it’s not yours!

And, no one seems to be in a hurry driving. I am used to my Houston style of driving – slightly aggressive to “get the blankety-blank outta my way – you’re goin’ too slow!”

Left lane, right lane, doesn’t matter up here. Folks are just easy going and they know they have only a short distance to travel so why hurry? Road rage has been replaced by Road Respect – everyone respects the other driver.

Went to a pretty nice restaurant for dinner last week – sat in a lovely little booth and waited to be waited on. Now, I admit, I wasn’t in the best of moods, so I was a tad grumpy – not sure why. When the little waiter guy came by to take my order, he was one of those super happy, what are we having today and aren’t we having such a wonderful day people that seem to be in abundance up here. I looked at him with my not-so-friendly face and he just grinned so big! Another competitor for the pickin’ and grinnin’ contest!

He brought my drink – it wasn’t right. The unhappy camper here said, “This isn’t what I ordered /wanted.”

“Really,” says little pickin’ and grinnin’ waiter – no problem. We’ll fix it!”  And, he did. You know, it’s kind of hard to stay in a bad mood (and I tried) when everyone around you is so dang happy! So, I put on my happy face and oh my gosh, the level of kindness went up even higher. And, yeah, he got a good tip!

  

Oh, and politeness – this is way over and above. People actually hold the elevator doors for you even if you’re at the other end of the hallway! They wait and they do it with a smile. Then, they ask you how you’re doing! You can’t get on an elevator without someone saying hi or have a good day as they exit! People are gonna talk to you whether you like it or not so it’s best to get used to this level of friendliness and just jump in with both feet.

They like being friendly and it shows. Yeah, Houston, we’ve got heavy competition in the “friendly” state! These Okies are giving us a real run for our money on the friendliness scale!

The New Chapter

I’ve begun a new chapter in my life – a chapter that if you had told me last year, I would have laughed at the very idea! This is the chapter that tells about a Texas gal heading to the outreaches of the other side of the world – the land of Indians – no, not our American Indians with their beautiful headdresses and teepees in the wilderness – these Indians live in the land of India – half a world away from Texas!

The start of my trip begins with my ride to the airport – it has to start somewhere – what better place to start than from home?

Leaving my pretty little car in the garage, I arrange for a town car to take me to the airport. My driver happens to be Indian.... actually, he was from Bangladesh, which is close. So he's driving like a mad man on the freeways - 80 mph... not that I don't drive ...that fast - but I'm sitting in the back seat hanging on for dear life!! The importance of this will reveal itself soon!

We get to the airport and he drops me off in front of the doors - no problem, except I have two suitcases and my computer case.... not easy to move those things by myself. (Yes I packed everything but the kitchen sink and I did think about packing it too!!) But all is as it should be and going through the international gate is a breeze!

On the flight - Houston direct to Paris, was not too bad.... there was a really cute flight attendant - a young man that I could have taken home and kept for a pet!!! He was precious - but I'm sure his proclivity was toward his own gender. LOL

The lovely attendants put a glass of champagne in my hand way before takeoff, which of course, I am quite prepared to imbibe. I've got first run movies on "my" TV screen, but no popcorn.... dang it!

Dinner soon arrives for those of us in Business/First class (oh yes, striking a pose here LOL), which was absolutely incredible.... sea bass for the entree, sliced duckling for the appetizer, a pre appetizer of baked quail and then for dessert a trio of desserts and raspberry sorbet! How can one refuse such culinary delights? Along with they served an excellent glass of French Merlot.

Decided to try to get some shut- eye and hit the button to lay my seat flat into a bed.... not too bad, but the foot section tilts downward allowing my feet to hang – haven’t quite got the hang of this “bed” chair.

My tray table was having its own issues - it refused to go back into its hole in the side of my seat, and the attendants were unable to repair it as well, so I slept with a tray table over my butt!!! Not the most comfortable night sleeping.

Oh I forgot - they also have little kits with sockies for your feeties - we take our shoes off and wear the sockies provided (Remember – I have grandchildren… so language may be effected). Also provided are eye covers to shut out the light, along with a shoe horn – not sure why I need one, a comb, toothbrush and toothpaste. Of course I have a blanket and a pillow. And, should you ask for something, the attendants are right there with anything and everything you may want – including more wine…. I am SO liking this trip!

my night of slumber would have been bearable even with the tray table over my rear, the tilt of the chair bed and of course my eye cover except for the “bombs”! No, no, not that kind of bomb – the silent kind that attack your nasal sensors – the ones that assault your nose and make you nearly gag. Yes, my restful sleep was assaulted by my seat mates nether regions… it was really, really awful! Just as I would fall into a nice dreamy state – BAM! A bomb would hit… if only I had a plug of some kind!

Finally, just a few hours (maybe two?) later, they wake us serving breakfast. I'm still full from dinner!!! Raspberry crepes with fresh juice, whipped cream, eggs, coffee and more champagne!

A few hours and two movies later and we land in Paris. If you haven’t transferred through Charles de Gaulle airport, you’re in for a strange adventure!