Comments on: Things I Observed and/or Learned During Holiday Travels

By: Poncho

Poncho — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:42:01 +0000

Oh, well. Grandpa fell on the night of the 25th and we had to rush him to the hospital since he couldn’t feel one of his legs. Turned out it was just swelling and nothing else, but the doctors scalded him for not using his walking stick.

Anyway, New Year’s was a great holiday. Ended up having a great time with my cousins, my brother and my little nephew (I’m an uncle now!)… going to a night club after dinner with the family and going back to eat leftovers around midday -from the party!. Way cool!

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:50:51 +0000

You don’t need air travel to have interesting stories about your family reunions, le0! I send happy wishes right back for a magnificent year for you and your loved ones.

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:37:54 +0000

When I smell fragrant food on planes, I just ask, “Can I have some?” I think it’s reasonable since they’re already sharing the smell with everyone.

Love all the get-togethers and how tight your family is. You’d better upload pics of you in that poncho!

Thanks for the happy wishes, Christine. I’m feeling much better. Meeting you last year was a highlight for me as well so let’s hang some more this year!

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:34:32 +0000

Haha! Why didn’t I think of the fried chicken solution? It would’ve given me an excuse (not that I need one) to eat some extra drumsticks.

And yes, it’s fun to be in the same room as JB!

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:33:12 +0000

Your gatherings sound great, Poncho. Up to 60 people? Amazing! Why did grandpa scare the poo out of you on Christmas day?

Looking forward to your own holiday stories!

By: le0pard13

le0pard13 — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 21:55:34 +0000

Wonderful insights, Elyse. We rarely do air travel during the holidays, but usually drive about to visit both sides of the family. I look forward to your Biutiful review since Bardem is getting to good amount of interest with his portrayal. I hope you the best holidays and new year, my friend.

By: Christine

Christine — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 03:52:35 +0000

As always, love your take on situations. Should you avoid the yappy dog or unhappy baby, the next hurdle one hopes to avoid is the very fragrant food someone’s brought onboard…usually involving heavy onions. It’s amazing the impact of small courtesy of that gentleman, isn’t it? Sorry you’re having to fight off the throat infection (air travel is stellar for promoting such things), but glad you finally made it home. Better to be in your own comfort zone when trying to heal, yes? And thank you so much for mentioning those serving in the armed forces who are so far from home.

This Christmas was the usual itinerary with my in-laws. We drove to Ohio to have Christmas Eve dinner and gifts at my father-in-law’s horse farm with he, Brian’s stepmom and 4 of 5 kids and their families. Christmas morning was at Brian’s brother’s home with his family and Brian’s mother. (Love being there when our nephews come down the stairs.) Then it was off to Christmas dinner at Brian’s sister’s with her family and Brian’s mother. (My sister-in-law’s husband is an AWESOME cook. He’s got that chef gene like my grandfather.) To round out the day, there was Skyping with my parents and 2 sisters in San Francisco and phone calls with the other 2 sisters. (There was no food viewage by the way, only thing modeled was the beautiful hand-knit poncho I received.;p)

Hope you feel better soon, PCN and are able to enjoy your New Year’s Eve. Your friendship was one of the best gifts for me in 2010. All the best to you and Mr. PCN in 2011! xoxo

By: Shell Sherree

Shell Sherree — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 01:32:22 +0000

You were at Denny’s at 2am? I’m intrigued! Oh, hang on ~ they sell buckets of fried chicken there, do they? If so, please double your bucket size so you will register enough weight for airbags, PCN. That’s a lovely message about having gratitude for all that we have, and being in the same proximity as Javier Bardem would make me very grateful!

By: Poncho

Poncho — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 23:02:06 +0000

Hi, PCN. I was laughing out loud when I read your experiences (there was no Coke involved, sadly).

I seldom travel by plane during the Holidays. I often spend Christmas in Mexico City and New Year’s Eve in Irapuato or viceversa, and it always involves family. This year, Christmas Eve dinner was in my place -with my mom cooking which is always great!- with my dad’s side of the family, and though grandpa scared us s***less on the 25th, it was a fun holiday, indeed.

I’m now on Queretaro, on my way to Irapuato (a small city 3 hours north of Mexico), where my grandma from my mother’s side lives, and where almost the whole family is gathering for New Year’s Eve. We’re expecting to be around 50 or 60 people for dinner. And this time my brother & family are joining too!

Anyway. Winter holidays are always about family for me. I think I will be writing a recap of sorts in a few days. I’ll try to gather some fun anecdotes on the way!

Thanks for this. And have a great New Year’s Eve and an even better 2011!!

By: EIREGO

EIREGO — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 21:05:09 +0000

Profanity over delayed flights? Sounds like you traveled the same airline I did. I wistfully remembered complaining about airline food way back when. These days I light up when I see the cart full of those little understuffed bags of pretzels approach my seat.

Let’s see……I think you covered most of the basics (although, I’m not sure I really believe the skype-ing family at Denny’s.) I guess the one thing that amazed and saddened me at the same time was the lack of a Christmas tree smell. I didn’t encounter one real tree this holiday. Saw some wreaths, but they didn’t smell like anything I remembered from my youth. It was very strange. Even at the mass I attended I didn’t see or smell an authentic tree or foliage of any kind. I’m all for saving the trees and fauna in general, but I missed that smell. It means Christmas to me. Anyone else feel that way?