Paul and I worked Wednesday morning, and we got home and met my folks in time to drive to the airport and leave the car at "The Parking Spot" where Paul gets a Florida Hospital discount. Mom, Dad, and I had been sick over the weekend, which slowed us down. We had to pass through the "medications" security scanner because of our collection of cough medicines, nasal sprays, etc. Fortunately, there was little delay. We easily flew the Orlando to Atlanta run with only complaints about unbalanced ear pressure and the great discomfort it caused.
As is tradition, we stopped in the food court at Terminal E in Atlanta to pick up some Qdoba before hiking to our international gate. We had a hard time finding a table as the airport was very busy, but the vegetarian burritos were worth it. We find that the staff at this Qdoba is friendly and pays extra close attention to your specific order. My guess is that the food is fresher because the restaurant is so busy and that the staff doesn't have time or food to waste so they better get it right the first time. When my mom unwrapped her burrito, she frowned because one side was warm and the other side was cold. I explained to her that the rice and beans on the bottom of the pile made one side of the tortilla warm while the cheese, lettuce, and guacamole on top made the other half of the burrito cold. I am always amazed at how large the burritos are and have taught myself that I would be happier if I did not finish the entire thing. On the other hand, that is something important about traveling. You feel you have to eat your heart out every time you stop because you truly don't know where your next meal is coming from.
Our next meal came on the plane and was labeled "Asian," which is what they call the dish if you ask for a vegetarian meal, and sadly comes without dairy and eggs leaving your neighbor with a great looking brownie for dessert while you get honeydew melon that tastes like water. This is where we secretly smile for having downed a fine tasting burrito a couple hours earlier.
I often complain about being short. But when I'm on a plane, I am grateful for the lack of volume I take up as i curl up on my seat. Sleeping on a plane is rarely productive. You can get a face mask and ear plugs to block out the environment, but sometimes you just can't block out the person pushing on the back of your seat. It's always something!
