Not a bad flight experience with American Airlines from Dallas to Frankfurt

The flight was pretty smooth, even in economy class this time. The only negative side was that I did not have leg room at all as there was a wall between my seat and business class. Frankfurt airport is as always.... I am waiting on my flight to Helsinki... I hope the rainy weather does not create any delays.

On my way to Helsinki, Finland

I am on my way to Finland again, I applode American Airlines representative to take an extra mile to get a seat to me and my business partner to sit side-by-side in economy. The seat is ok, first row after the business. I got a seat in business on my way back 6th of May. According to the news, weather in Finland has been very nice and warm.

Texas Hill Country motorcycle trip is behind

I have to say that our annual spring Hill Country, Texas trip was very relaxing and enjoyble. First night in Fredricksburg, then Bandera and finally Austin, Texas was a perfect combination with 1020 miles of perfect motorcycle riding. More to follow with pictures and details.

Time to leave Seattle again... Dallas in my mind

Three days in Seattle... and time to return to Dallas. I have been here quite a few times and I have to say that the Seattle-Tacoma airport works well, I have not run into any snags at all and the traffc from Redmond and Bellevue has cooperated well. I have to say that Bellevue Hyatt Regent personnel do a tremendous job and are exceptionally friendly and helpful. If you want tro enjoy your stay in Bellevue, Hyatt is a safe bet.

A good day today at Microsoft Executive Briefing Center

It was a beautiful day today with a sunny morning start and a cab drive from Bellevue Hyatt Regency hotel to Microsoft Executive Briefing Center in Redmond Microsoft Campus. These cities are really moving fast towards the spring and the day was beautiful with clear and blue sky. After the long day and before dinner, I used the Hyatty Regency gym again.. I have traveled soon 3 million miles with American Airlines, stayed in hundreds of hotels and this hotel has a gym that you do not see many times.. Last time I saw a comparable one was in Mumbai, India during my fall 2008 trip. This is the hotel to stay if you visit this city. Also, based on the information, this is going to be the largest conference hotel in town very soon...

Bellevue, WA Hyatt Regency is a treat

This is my second time I stay in this hotel and I love it. They have a large fully equipped gym and close to restaurants and shops. And most importantly, it is only 5.5 miles from Microsoft Campus where I will be spending the next couple of days.

Flying to Seattle

My traveling spree is starting again. It is early morning and I will be flying to Seattle for three nights and will be back on Wednesday. It is a beautiful morning, everything is green and I am sipping my triple grande soy latte... Life is good... I was upgraded to business class as well... sweet...

Two weeks of travel behind: returning back to Dallas from Finland

I am returning back home to Dallas, Texas after a very busy two weeks of travel and work with clients. The weather was very nice in all places during the travel and Helsinki showed a nice sunny side multiple days even if it is still below zero centigrades. I will have to return to Finland in April again, but I will worry about that later on. Now I am focused on getting home.

Bratislava - A city I like and a warning when reserving room from Orbitz or Expedia

I am waiting on my flight from Bratislava to Prague with a continued service to Helsinki on Czech Airlines. Two nights in Bratislava was very nice and I had a chance to meet with lots of interesting people at local Microsoft office and during some evening gettogether at a bowling alley. I will still be staying in Europe until next thursday, enough for me to be adjusted to the time zone and then get issues again when going back.

A word of warning... Every time I buy my hotel room from Expedia or Orbitz, hotels put me in a sub-standard room (or smoking one like this time) and they di not know hiw to handle the pre-payment. I am now convinced that I should not use these two to buy hotel rooms.

Bumpy ride from Prague to Bratislava, Slovakia

The plane ride was a bumpy one... snow storm and wind and a small propeller plane... Not one of the most pleseant experiences... However, I am in one piece and ready for bed in the hotel.

Helsinki-Prague-Bratislava

I have been here in Helsinki a few days... The weather has been murky and something I really do not miss. I am flying now via Prague to Bratislava for a couple of nights and then back to Helsinki. I really like Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. I am flying Czech Airlines today.... Done that before as well and they are very nice!

Back to Europe and it is raining again....

One night at home and now I am on my way to Europe (Finland via Frankfurt, Germany) and it is cold and wet in DFW in Dallas. I hope the weather in Finland is better as I will be spending two weeks in Europe with a visit to Bratislava, Slovakia to do a speech. The trees and nature in DFW is getting very spring-like so when I get back I am sure everything is blooming. Fortunately I was upgraded to business-class on the Boeing 777 flight.

Beautiful Seattle: time to leave again

Three days in Seattle area/Bellavue is over and I am very happy about the trip. Thew weather was around 32 to 45 Fahrenheit and like today, sun is shining. My flight back to Dallas is 4 hours and on Friday, I am going to fly to Europe for almost 2 weeks. The time differences are pretty hard on the body I have to say!

Seattle for a few days

This time I am leaving DFW very early in Sunday morning and this time it is going to be Seattle. I will be staying in Seattle (Redmond) until Wednesday and then fly back to Dallas for only one day as I have to fly to Europe (Finland) to work with clients over there. I checked the weather in Seattle and it is around 32 Fahrenheit, so pretty winterish weather. I guess similar to the weather in Finland. I was upgraded to business so I should have a good flight.

Back to Dallas from Atlanta in a full flight

It is time to get back home to Dallas. I did a speech at local Microsoft office for a good group of Microsoft partners and I enjoyed a lot talking to them. My stay in Dallas will not be long as I have to fly to Seattle on Sunday for three days and then only one day in Dallas as I have to fly to Europe for a couple of weeks. American Airlines is getting familiar to me and my 3 million miles is getting closer. The day in Atlanta has been awesome today... sunshine and warm...

Atlanta trip with interesting 2 days

I am on my way to Atlanta today, flying American Airlines from Dallas to Atlanta. I was upgraded from coach to business and have not yet received an annoyed remark from a frustrated flight attendant that seems to be a norm at American nowadays. Each flight, and believe me there are lots of them, somebody has shown their attitufe in one form or the other and showed that they hate their job. Sometimes I wonder this but I guess it comes with life. So far so good, nice sunrise and this weekend we will loose another hour due to change to summer time.

My feel of New Orleans post Katarina

I have now seen New Orleans in action and they are ready for the conventions, tourists and any other that want to enjoy New Orleans. I spent three nights in New Orleans with lots of activities and enjoyed the start of Mardi Gra and it was fabolous. I have to say that the hospitality and friendliness of New Orleans people is overwhelming. I am coming back here very soon!

Missisippi River from the air

I was lucky today. I had a window seat during my flight from Dallas to New Orleans and the sky was blue with good visibility. We flew quite a bit along the great Missisippi River and the view was awesome. Life by the river, huge boats going up and down the river created a spectacular view of the state. I wish I could monitor the life and pace in these neighbourhoods....

Finally in New Orleans and very happy about it.

First visit to New Orleans since the hurricane

I enjoyed a few days in Dallas and now it is time to move on again. This time I am on my way to New Orleans as Microsoft will have its worldwide conference there in July so we will be checking out the places. I am very excited to get to see the beautiful city and also very happy that vendors such as Microsoft has stepped to the plate and given their business to the still ailing city. I will be in New Orleans until Sunday. I have to say that this is one of the best times in Dallas... Not too hot, not too cold and soon things will be green.

Should American Airlines fail?

Today, I stepped into American Airlines flight 79 from London to Dallas Fort Worth. When entering to the cabin my seat 2H was occupied by newspapers. When I asked politely twhther they would be removed the stuwardess said with a very unpleasant voice "we did not expect anybody here today" and looked at me like I was an unwanted guest. I guess it is a thank you for flying almost 3 million miles on American. I am getting convinced more every day that it is time for a complete renewal of personnel that really want to work and not show an unpleasant face. This is not the first time nor the last and I will not have any symphaty if these guys go on labor dispute. They have destroyed my feel too many times. Flight AA79 did not start nicely.