I know. It’s a free flight and I’m going to Japan on vacation for three weeks.  How can I whine about anything? It’s in my nature,my ethnic background and almost a given, even for an ex-New Yorker to kvetch just a little bit.

First, the good stuff.  Korean Air is fabulous.  Never having flown them before, I was of course dubious. Seats were roomy, even G had legroom and we were only in Economy. “Bibimbap or Chicken with Lice” the flight attendant, dressed in a light turquoise satin blouse and white polyester pencil skirt, asked sweetly.  A starched thin white bow jutted out from her perfectly coiffed and sprayed hair. I wondered to myself if the points on the bow might be used as a weapon in case of terrorists or unruly guests. But I digress.

Both the row in front of us and the row in back of us had miniature choir members-those tiny little creatures that are a source of delight to grandparents, but a horror to airline passengers-BABIES. Trying hard not to be negative I gave them the benefit of the doubt, but after a half an hour into the 13 hour flight the recital commenced. When the screeching first started I thought it was a cat in a carrier. But then it was joined by crying from a second source close by. As if a signal for the musical theater piece to begin, the little girl in back of me started to run around squealing and pulling my hair surreptitiously. Within an instant the flight attendants came around handing out earplugs and trying to mollify the little ones. I will admit there was a unison in the voices as if carefully orchestrated,when the fourth little one chimed in. Defeated, I looked at the choice of movies, and was delighted to see all the Oscar nominated ones available. After watching four that I had missed in the theaters, I was mollified sufficiently to calm down.

Arriving at the Intercontinental Hotel in Osaka

we were informed that they upgraded us to a suite for my birthday. Easily as big as my house, it is on the top floor (32nd) has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an office, Living Room, full kitchen, Laundry Room and a terrace the full length of the suite. I’m going to the onsen later.

Life is good in the Golden Zone.