Ryan Air: Glasgow to Paris

Ryan Air
Originally uploaded by sasnook.

When researching for this trip, I decided to throw in a few cheap flights and Ryan Air had some great deals. I mean how can you beat twenty American dollars total to fly from Barcelona to London? You can’t. So for this trip I have booked two Ryan Air flights. One from Glasgow to Paris and the other from Barcelona to London. Thus far I am a little upset with myself for booking these flights. As I have previous mentioned, I spent the night in the airport in order to catch my flight to Paris from Glasgow. I had no other option than to do this because the airport was no where near a hotel/hostel and none of the trains would bring me from downtown Glasgow to the airport in time to catch my flight. So myself and about fifty other Ryan Air customers staked their place for the night in the Glasgow airport where little sleep was had because of load janitors and freezing cold temperatures, I am pretty sure they turned the heat off for the evening. The icing on the cake was that flying into Paris was not flying INTO Paris, it was flying outside of Paris by an hour, of which they took advantage of charging a relatively pricy bus ticket to the city. Thus far, there is one thumb down out of two from this backpacking girl. They should really inform their foreign passengers of the location and possible inconvince of using their flights.

Edinburgh

First Night in Europe
Originally uploaded by sasnook.

Once arriving in London, I went directly by train up to Edinburgh. I was supposed to stay in York that night, and I am not sure what changed my mind to continue on, but I am glad that I did because the people that I met that night will forever be dear to me. I think the reason I continued on that train through York is because I was still trying to figure out where I would be sleeping that night. I had visions of myself sleeping on a park bench or in a train station. Needless to say I was a scared first time traveler in Europe. I didn’t know what to expect or what was around the corner, as much I was excited for the unknown, I was very much afraid of it.
Between York and Edinburgh I decided upon a Hostel called Brodies. I mainly picked it because it was cheap and it had free Internet. When I stepped out of the train station, I don’t know what I was expecting, but I wasn’t expecting a city of that size in front of me. I honestly don’t know what kept me from having a melt down right then and there. I remember thinking that I could call mom and dad and they would have me on the next plane home. Well obviously that didn’t happen. I wanted this trip too badly for too long.
So I hiked it up what felt like a trillion stairs to High Street and searched for Brodies. I arrived reeking of sweat and feeling heavier than ever with my backpack strapped to me. I hadn’t slept since leaving Orlando, so it had been a good 36 hours. My goal was to find something to eat and crash for the night. As I was leaving Brodies, a guy and girl were standing in the common area of the hostel discussing where they were going to eat. This is when I met Victoria (Tor) and Jared, two Australians that quickly became close friends. I went to grab a bit to eat with them and the next thing I knew I was calling Mom and Dad and telling them I was already having the time of my life and that evening I went to a comedy club with Tor and Jared as well as another Aussi, Nick and two Americans, Daniel and Alex. Over the next few days in Edinburgh I hung out with Tor and Jared, going to Edinburgh Castle, the Museum of Scotland, and not to mention the many bars. Sadly, I left yesterday evening to catch the train to Glasgow where I had the pleasant experience of sleeping in the airport in order to catch a Ryan Air flight to Paris.

I’m Joining the Flying Circus!

Paul & I
Originally uploaded by sasnook.

This past Friday I became a commercial pilot. Dad asked me “Afton, what can this commercial certificate do for you?” In response I began to cite the FAR’s telling him I could crop dust, tow banners, do pipeline patrol…pretty much not act like an air carrier, yet get paid for my services as a pilot. Now my father, being the loving, harassing dad that he is, said “Well I guess that means you can get a job with the Flying Circus, because that’s where you belong!” So now I’m not only IFR rated (I Fly Roads); but I can be (or to my father, I already am) a flying clown.
Many other’s this week completed certificates. Bobby and Paul completed their commercial multiengine and sadly Bobby returned to LA, he will be missed. And Mike and Alex completed their CFI. To celebrate everyone got together to play volleyball and grill out. Congrats Paul, Bobby, Mike and Alex.
Next on my agenda is to complete my multiengine commercial rating…but that’s when I get back from Europe.

Kayaking Pilots

Kayaking Pilots
Originally uploaded by sasnook.

Yesterday, 29 pilots went kayaking on the Indian River on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Now, being aviators and navigators, you would think that we could handle high winds and other obstacles that were thrown our way. Little did we know that the fluid of liquid is much different than the fluid of air. We could not paddle in a straight line to save our lives. I’d like to say that we purposely paddled in a zigzagged manor to avoid the alligators that were along our path, but the reality of it was, that we can all crab into the wind no problem with an aircraft, but could we do it in a boat…hells NO. Regardless, it was a fun adventure that began with the organization of everyone, followed by seeing manatees, and then finally getting everyone in boats to paddle against winds and alligators (okay I’ll admit we only saw one) to an island on the Indian River to have lunch and turn around and face the elements once again. Going back to the beginning was no better, you know that story that your grandparents told you about walking up hill in the snow and sleet both ways to school…well we experienced that in a sense on both the way to and from the island. No free ride on a tail wind for us, headwind all the way. I have to admit it was a much different paddling experience than on the Mississippi. It made me respect the ocean water more and appreciate the Mississippi River back home.