Nomadic Texan

This is a “customer complaint” I wrote to American Airlines on September 16th after I got back from my most recent visit to Ecuador. I was assigned a complaint number via Twitter, the only arm of their customer service department that apparently cares to attempt to resolve their issues.

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“For over 40 years (yes I am that old and still kicking) I have been flying American Airlines. I grew up in Arlington Texas and as there has always been access to this Airline in the DFW metro area. The headquarters has been located there since 1979 . Until 1973 when the airline transferred to Dallas/Ft Worth International Airport, my flights primarily went out of Love Field in Dallas. It was an ordeal to use this airport and no one was more thankful than me when, DFW opened in early 1973.

As a buyer with Six Flags amusement parks I had the great fortune of traveling to SE Asia for two months each year and to all the major trade shows in the US annually. I used the airlines quite a lot. In fact I am approaching the million mile level with your airline and have always been treated great. I have a myriad of friends that have worked as Stewardesses and at the Ticket Desk for American Airlines over the years and was always proud that they headquartered in my backyard.

Recently I have noticed a complete reversal in service, attitude and courtesy among the majority of the employees. I am not sure if its the merger with US Airways or what. My most recent flight from Guayaquil to Miami, was an example of this. Its bad enough you have to get up at 2:30 AM to get to the airport, buy having transpire what happened to me was beyond belief on this flight.

Breakfast for a $949 ticket!

We were served this amazing breakfast. After all I paid $949 for this ticket and it proudly announced breakfast would be served on the flight itinerary. If you count there are 3 bites of pineapple, 5 bites of watermelon,one grape, a sandwich and either jam or butter to apply to your bread. I was awestruck by the quality. After downing the fruit in about two bites, I opened the sandwich and found this.

Breakfast Sandwich for a $949 Ticket

There was one measly slice of ham that had to weigh .25 ounce and a slice of cheese that had to weigh .30 ounce I am guessing. I had to laugh to keep from exploding. After consuming this wonderful nutritious meal I was overcome with the Grand Amoeba, more commonly known as Montezuma’s Revenge. I looked to the rear of the coach and there had to be 12 or more people in line. I got up (I was in 3 or 4 rows back from first class) and went to the first class area to use the restroom. A nice young man (Steward) named Art stepped up and told me it would be two seconds before it was free, as the crew was using it.

I asked him if he was sure it was going to be two seconds and he replied well maybe three seconds. I laughed and returned to my seat squirming. When it was apparent the lavatory was free, I got up to go to the first class again and lo and behold a stewardess with short silver hair started walking to me, pointing her finger in my face and telling me I had no right to use this facility and would have to return to the rear lavatory, which now had 15 or more people in it. I was extremely upset, as this same lady had allowed no less than 10 to 12 “coach” passengers to use the first class facilities prior to me and carried on a conversation with some of them, as they waited.

As I returned to get in the massive coach line, a wonderful stewardess that had seen the entire episode apologized to me and tried valiantly to calm me down. I believe her name was Kathy. Tall lady with 29 years experience she told me, blond hair and a fantastic disposition. She helped keep me out of trouble! It helped somewhat.

My issue is that I was the only individual that this lady would not allow to use the facilities and why she chose me to discriminate against is beyond me. I am not sure if it was my age, my beard, my Hawaiian shirt or my Panama Hat, but she obviously felt compelled to reject me and only me. I was embarrassed beyond belief and cannot tell you how much I wanted to tell this lady off. I knew if I did that I would more than likely wind up in jail in Miami and chose to write you, the management about this incident.

I intentionally watched her actions, after disciplining me in front of the entire coach passenger population and she continued to allow other coach passengers to use the first class restroom. I was furious. She again stopped before the curtain and carried on a conversation with a coach passenger, then allowing him to use the first class facilities.  I am mortified that I was singled out, especially since I was very sick to my stomach and barely got to the coach restroom without having an accident in my pants!”

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As of today October 9, 2013 I have received no response, no apology or no solution to my discrimination. I am perplexed and very disenchanted that American Airlines has chosen to completely ignore this situation and has made no contact with me to attempt a resolution. I am asking my travel and food bloggers friends to use social media and blast this over all your platforms, until they decide to address this issue. I appreciate any and all help. Please use the hashtag:

       #AAFixThisNow!

Thank you kindly in advance for your help and support!!!

Australian Tree Ferns Growing in the Wild

I have always loved flora and fauna and have several plants I am most partial to. One such species is the Australian Tree Fern. I travel extensively, but have never been exposed to so many ferns. I am most partial to this particular plant as a result of its lovely umbrella of fern leaves, branching out from its trunk. It strikes me as an anomaly of the fern species and has a grandeur more regal than any other fern in my book.

Baby Australian Tree Ferns

As you drive between Guayaquil Ecuador and Cuenca, a little above sea level, at the base of the Andes, you run into about a 15 mile stretch, where the ferns grow wild in forests and the sight is absolutely beautiful. I have only seen them as potted plants in Texas. I have never been able to photograph this brilliant parcel of the highway. Fortunately this time I was able to capture a few photos from the car. Enjoy nature’s bounty!

Australian Tree Ferns on Side of Mountain

“Here and there a tawny brook prattled out from among the underwood and lost itself again in the ferns and brambles upon the farther side. Save the dull piping of insects and the sough of the leaves, there was silence everywhere–the sweet restful silence of nature.”

~Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr. (May 22, 1859-July 07, 1930)

Every time I visit Guayaquil I stay at the Oro Verde and I have developed a relationship with the general manager and the front desk manager of the hotel. On this trip in I was placed in a section of the hotel that has been completely remodeled and is called the “Leading Suites” after the Leading Hotels of the World, an illustrious company of which this hotel is a member. It is a luxury group of hotels that are located around the world and have operations in most major cities and countries of the world. They also have extraordinary assets in some of the most remote areas and they aim to preserve the surrounding ecological treasures of each location. I love this approach.

Entryway View to the Leading Suite

The room was decorated in a more modern furnishing than the past rooms I have stayed in with this very historical hotel. I learned later that all the rooms are targeted for this remodel and they have something like 98 rooms left to go out of the 230 rooms available. I have to admit I wasn’t aware of this tower and additional rooms of the hotel. I though the hallway off the front desk led to shops and conference rooms. One has to have a dedicated key to even get the elevator to take you to your room.

Two Queen Size Beds

As expected the room was elegant and functional and designed for the guests comfort. I was taken back by the size and layout of the room and normally wouldn’t expect such a large area dedicated for a guest room. I am attempting to illustrate the room’s appeal through my photos inserted in the blog and hope that my novice photography gives you an idea of the room’s attributes. They are fantastic.

Dining Area

There is a separate area for dining, a fully apportioned living area with a huge LED television set mounted across from the very soft couch. I melted into it after my long day of traveling. This room has a desk with full Internet capabilities and needs.

Living Area with Desk, TV and Expected Furnishings

Additionally, there is a wet bar with coffee, microwave, safe and a refrigerator stocked with your favorite beverages. This leads into the bedroom which has two queen size beds that are more than comfortable. After a snack and a beverage I  literally fell asleep fast and became a part of the mattress that surrounded me with comfort and relieved every weary bone in my body! I was in heaven.

Wet Bar, Safe, Microwave and Refrigerator

There is a closet area with a full size ironing board, closet to hang a full wardrobe, storage for your unmentionables and a “European Trouser Pants Press” for the gentleman or lady concerned about their appearance. The room was more than large enough to perform your ironing needs and have a guest discuss your daily plans. It was a large area devoted to apparel upkeep.

Closet Area

The bathroom was very nice, but only had one sink. I would think would be an issue if a couple was traveling together. Hopefully this can be remedied and should be, as the counter space is more than ample to hold a second sink. The shower has a rain head and operates wonderfully I did not want to get out. All the items one might forget that is used in the bathroom is available including toothbrush, razor, sewing kit, comb, soap, shampoo, rinse, bath oil and hand lotion. If you need it they have it.

Shower

The next morning both management gentlemen I know, left business meetings to come see me before I left their fabulous hotel. I appreciated this gesture more than they will ever know, but I should have expected it, as the customer service in this hotel is and always has been impeccable. One will not find better service anywhere in the world. I do not receive free rooms, but I do get upgrades each time I visit, so in the spirit of full disclosure it is relevant to mention I receive free upgrades at this hotel. This does not sway or effect my opinions and the opinions relayed in this post are 100% all mine. Saludos!

Every time I visit Ecuador I fly into Guayaquil and stay over night. There are no “direct” flights to Cuenca from current airline operations. I can either fly back to Quito spend the night and then fly into Cuenca or I can stay overnight and take a shuttle to Cuenca the next day. At my age the Quito route is about 25 hours total and too taxing on my body. So I opt for the shuttle from Guayaquil. Besides, I would miss all the gorgeous scenery if I flew into Cuenca.

Mangoes Growing Beside the Road 

I always know that I can count on my friends at Mio Tours to insure my safety and guaranteed arrival. Lately some of the more illegal shuttle companies have been falling into trouble with the government militia, as they are not official and have not secured the appropriate licenses to transport individuals along this route. I would caution you to investigate this issue and make sure your shuttle service is licensed. Other wise you just might be stranded alongside the road, as a few tourists have been lately.

Toll Booths at Puerto Inca

The road is nice and there are a few tolls, but you go from sea level basically to a high of about 13,000 feet in the Cajas National Park. Along the way you pass many items of interest. The current road is great, but the Ecuadorian Government is widening  the road to four lanes and it will be a smooth ride from Guayaquil. We usually obtain lunch in Puerto Inca about and hour into the ride and the special is $3.00 per person.

Government is Improving the Highway & making it Four Lane Like an Interstate in the US

You pass through many small towns that have various methods of shuttling their population around and one can only guess what the experience is like. Unless you have been to Asia and are familiar with the Tuk Tuks, then you are very acquainted with this system. The taxis vary in color and structure, but are usually built in the same manner and have the same open door look for passengers, with a motorbike front for the driver.

Tuk Tuk Like Taxi in Rural Area Towns

As you move into the more remote areas you see a different style of taxi as pictured below. They run around the countryside on motorbikes and shuttle the locals back and forth to their homes along the dirt roads. It is difficult for me to imagine there is enough business for this many “taxis”, but apparently its a lucrative operation.

A Form of Taxi for the Locals at the Base of the Andes in the Country

You also find open fish markets where the locals buy their fresh catch. The fish are transported from the coast and made available to the locals for a reasonable price. It is a very unique approach and has been the same for all the years I have visited Ecuador. I just would like to see a little ice under the fish for safekeeping.

Local Rural Fish Market

We always stop at several random spots so that I can take photos and this one is a reflection of the valley below and the cloud structure that covers Guayaquil at higher elevations. One begins the ascension and starts to have indications of altitude by ears popping, etc. The vehicle struggles a little more and doesn’t have the same get up and go as it does at sea level, but it is more than adequate to navigate the Andes. After you rise above the clouds (yes that is at a very high elevation) the view is magnificent and the skies are clear. Many photo opportunities exist at this altitude and the guides from Mio Tours always stop when I ask to take photos or if I need a bathroom break.

Looking Out Over Guayaquil

As you hit the continental divide in Cajas National Park, you know its all downhill from there and you will be in Cuenca within an hour. The anticipation starts to rise and my thoughts increase as the wonderful city approaches. I am and always will be, totally in love with this city, its people, its culture and its lovely food. The great thing about driving is it gives you three and a half hours to prepare yourself and anticipate how wonderful it is to be in Cuenca. I wouldn’t have it any other way!