CHICAGO
My flight from San Francisco to Chicago had all the ingredients for disaster. They over booked the flight by 20. The 6'6" friend I'm traveling with got the middle seat. I was 12 rows back and surrounded by 5 kids, all under 6 yr-old.

I had a great time.


SHE PUKED
You fly with kids, they puke. There was a cute, 6 yr-old in the row next to me. Her mom was in the middle seat and speaking over me. Just as she was saying she didn't feel well, I had the good sense to point the child away from me. Mom found the bag, handed it to me to hold, and the girl hit the bag spot on.

SILVER LINING: She felt much better and smiled huge afterward. And the people who went running to the back (to avoid a puke-domino experience) really cracked me up.


ASL
So, then I moved and put the girl next to her Mom. Which put me next to a 21 yr-old Gallaudet student. Now, I like to use any word I know in any language. Swedish, Greek, whatever... I'll give the 10 words I know in your language a real try. I used a few American Sign Language words with the student - and was committed for the duration of the flight. There was no way she would take, "I don't understand" as an answer.

SILVER LINING: This was a 21 yr-old girl, who'd lost her hearing over the last few years, was large to the degree that the arm rests on either side of her had to be up for her to fit, and she was on her way from school (which she loved) to teach ASL to hearing kids (her second year - she couldn't wait to get there).
It was a blast finding ways to talk to her.

I'm staying at the Chicago Athletic Club. Women welcome since 1974. Well before any lawsuits were filed. (Just ask them)

More on this place later...