My Business Class Flying Experience

I gave myself a very expensive Christmas present this year.  I decided to fly back to the USA business class with Etihad Airways.   Although Etihad Airlines upset me greatly with terrible customer service this week while I experienced a passport problem, the overall flight experience has redeemed them from being on Janeen's Never Fly Again List.  

I want to share the business class experience.  The ticket price is twice that of an economy ticket so this is definitely a rare treat.  Here are some of the things that are included. 

1. Access to the premier lounges.

In the lounges, there is a peaceful atmosphere, complimentary food and drinks, and ample comfy seating.   The lounges also provide complimentary wifi and plenty of outlets to charge your electronic devices.

Etihad business class lounge in Abu Dhabi Airport

2. Shorter Lines

There is a shorter line for airport security, boarding the flight, and going through customs

3.  Welcome refreshments and a la carte dining

"Would you like orange juice, champaign, or water?"

You can choose any item on the menu at any time during the flight

a white tablecloth is placed over your tray table and food is served on china

4. Spacious Seating

the seat has a firm pillow and a seat belt with plenty of room to accommodate people as they stretch out or lay down

You can see the television screen, the foot rest, and the comfortable blanket that is provided. 

The seat's coolest feature is the way it folds down into a bed. You might think a bed is extravagant on a flight, but this flight was 16 hours.  Economy seating in close quarters with hundreds of strangers gets really old after a few hours

5. Other little extras

There seemed to be 2 or 3 flight attendants assigned to the business class  of about 30 passengers.  There were 2 bathrooms for our section as well.  

the airline provided this cute little kit with complimentary travel sized toiletries

the kit also contained socks and a sleeping mask 

Would I fly business class again? Absolutely!  My budget does not allow for this on a regular basis, but I would like to save up for it when I fly back to the states once per year because it is such a long flight.  

What is it like to live in a Muslim Country?

Today is September 11th.  If you are an American and born in the 90s or earlier, then you probably know exactly where you were and what you were doing on September 11th, 2001.  This was the day when our country experienced a series of airplane attacks resulting in crashes into the World Trade Center towers and The Pentagon.  Thousands of lives were lost.  Americans mourned collectively and wandered if we would ever feel safe again after such senseless acts of violence.   We stayed glued to our television sets listening to accounts of the events from survivors and rescue workers.  I began to hear new words that would be repeated countless times by news reporters all over the world. Words like "Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, Taliban, and Islamic-Terrorist.  Those attacks were inexcusable. A small group of people we identified as terrorist caused a tremendous impact.  The impact was so tremendous, that some people generalize that small group of extremist and assume that Muslims from the middle east are to blame.  Muslim DOES NOT equal Terrorist.  Muslim DOES NOT equal ISIS.

Kuwait is the small gray country between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

I am beginning my second year living in Kuwait.  Here is an example of how people react (in America and when traveling to other countries) when I share that I live in Kuwait.

Me:  I live in Kuwait and work as a teacher
Them: (with look of horror or curiosity) What made you choose Kuwait?
Me:  I did research and found that it was a great job opportunity with nice benefits and opportunities to travel all over the world
Them: (usually in a whisper) you are so brave.  Is it safe over there?
Me: I don't feel unsafe.  I use universal precautions wherever I live.
This is usually followed by questions about being a woman in a Muslim country and whether I must dress modestly.

The fact that my safety is still a top question is likely due to the fact that people still assume that every part of the Middle East is experiencing violence and unrest.  While there are certainly parts of this region of the world dealing with war and repeated Isis attacks, that is not the case here in Kuwait.    

Kuwait is a Muslim country.  This fact is evident from the national holidays observed, to the Mosque on every other block.  Here are some of the things that I observe here that are common in Muslim countries.

1.  Call to prayer and prayer rooms are everywhere
There are prayer rooms in shopping malls and in the school where I work.  5 times daily, the call to prayer can be heard throughout the city.  I can't hear it in my school building.  I can hear it when I go grocery shopping, walk along the beach, and walk through the malls.  It is a part of daily life.  In many taxis, you will notice a little rug folded on the dashboard.  This is so that the driver can pull over or run into a mosque during the call to prayer.  I accept when a driver says he will be late because of prayer time.  This is a part of his observation of his faith.

The mosque across the street from my apartment

2. Muslim holy days are national holidays
I don't work this week.  It is the week of Eid.  I will not give incorrect information by trying to explain it's significance, but all schools are closed during this holy week and friends who work in other jobs tell me that they are also closed or have shortened hours.  The month of Ramadan is a holy month and the whole country goes on full or partial holiday.  Restaurants cannot legally serve food prior to sunset.  You are violating the LAW if you eat or drink publicly before sunset and can be penalized with jail.  Most jobs have a shortened workday.  Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter are just another day in this country.

This is a store display during Ramadan

3.  Modest dress is observed
Many people wonder if I must wear a hijab or head covering.  I don't.  The modest expectation for women here is that we cover from our shoulders to our knees.  Showing cleavage is not appropriate.  Short shorts are not appropriate.  In Kuwait, you will see women in various forms of modesty and coverage.  On a typical day in a mall, you will see women from here and abroad who dress in everything from skinny jeans and t-shirts to a full Niqab covering in which there are only slits for a woman's eyes.   Trust me when I say that I see many Muslim women SLAYING in their fashionable modest dress and hijab.  Fashion labels and high end brand names are very popular in this part of the world.

4. Religion is taught in schools 

In America, I can lose my job for teaching my students to pray in public schools because of our laws that separate church and state.  In Kuwait, my students have an Islamic studies period in which they learn prayers and traditions.  There are Islamic Studies teachers who teach these classes.  My small number of non-Muslim students are given an alternative activity during this period.  

5.  Names related to Islamic faith are very prevalent

I taught 1 Mohammed in my 10 years as a teacher in the United States.  Now, there could very well be 5 Mohammed's per grade level in my school.  A few days ago, I found myself stumbling over the names of 3 boys playing together on the playground.  Abdulaziz, Abdulrahman, and Abdulrazar were all near one another on the playground.   I recently looked up Abdul to find it's meaning because it begins so many names in this region.  It means "servant of".   Abdullah is servant of Allah. Abdulaziz means servant of The Almighty.   These names have religious roots just as James, John, and Paul have religious roots for Christians. 

6. No Pork or Alcohol

I forget about this sometimes because I was never a big drinker.  Bacon in this country is beef or turkey.  Although restaurants have bars and stores have non-alcoholic beers, alcohol is not readily available in this country. 

This is an aisle in the grocery store with "mock" alcoholic drinks 

As a Christian woman, I am in the minority in this country.  I have not ever felt attacked or persecuted for this reason.  Christians are allowed to gather for church services or the purpose of worship/Bible study.  However, you will not find large free standing churches with a steeple and the church name out front.  I don't know if it is illegal to display church names, but it certainly isn't common.  The church services I have attended have been in gathering halls.  It is illegal to purposely attempt to convert others to Christianity.  Standing outside of a Mosque and trying to convince people  to come to Jesus can get you deported.  

What have I learned about Muslims since moving to Kuwait?  

Muslims are people.  What, is that it?  Yeah, that's it.  Some are rich and some are poor.  Some observe each holy day with sacred awe and some use them as an excuse to take a trip.  Some are funny, some silly, some super serious.  Some are generous and loving.  Some are self-absorbed jerks. They are people just like everyone else.  In Kuwait, the Muslims I encounter are caring Kuwaiti parents of my students.  They are taxi drivers from Pakistan and Bangladesh. They are security guards from Egypt.  They are Indians who attend Zumba classes with me.  They are fellow teachers from Jordan and Lebanon.  Are you getting my point?  The people that I encounter are so very diverse, that sometimes the only thing they have in common is a common religion.  

Just as extremist in any groups do not represent the whole, terrorist do not represent Muslims in my eyes.  In fact, as a teacher of small children, I get the cutest representations of little 5 year old Muslims every day.  My country currently has a presidential candidate by the name of Donald Trump, who uses a platform of fear and gives a message that Muslims in the US and throughout the world are    not to be trusted because of the actions of a few.  It scares me that he has a LOT of followers.  This little blogpost is my way of sharing that I live in a Muslim country and I DON'T experience terror and fear on a daily basis.  I experience diverse individuals living their lives. Do you have questions about life in a Muslim country? 

Lost in Greece and The Druggie Asking me for Money?

I found this blog entry from last month that I clearly forgot to post.  Enjoy.

August 10th, 2016
Yesterday morning I woke up super relieved to have slept through the night!  Jet lag has been kicking my butt and this was the first time in a couple weeks that I slept for more than a 4 hour stretch.  Yay! I decided to go visit a city called Parikia.  I had met an American woman the day before who told me that it might be a good day trip.  Either I was a couple minutes too late for the bus, or it just didn't show up for the 9:10 departure at all.  In either case, after waiting 15 minutes with no bus,  I decided to just go to the beach that was a short 5 minute walk from the bus stop.

This is a local beach in Aliki, 8 minutes walk from my hotel

This was my kind of beach.  The sand was soft.  Chairs were provided along with umbrellas.  The water was clear and beautiful.  I should add that this is an 8 minute walk from my little apartment.  I tested the water.  It was chilly.  I eventually plunged in.  It felt great.  Even when shoulder deep, I can see the sandy bottom.  It was like being in a salt water swimming pool.  I hung out at this local beach until about 11:15 and decided to try for the 11:30 bus to Parikia again.  This time, I was successful.

ferry and bus station in Parikia

Beach in Parikia

After a 20 minute ride, we are approaching Parikia.  It looks familiar.  Oh, this is the port city where I arrived on the island 4 days ago.  I hadn't even realized that.  I wander around and see lots of shops with cute stuff for tourist.  That gets old for me. As a frequent traveler, I try to avoid the keychains, hats, and typical souvenirs with the city's name on them.  Actually, it can be tempting sometimes, but I only travel with a carry on bag and can't even bring bulky items back with me.   I decide to find the beach.  The beach is just a ten minute walk from the bus station.  The pros:  There is plenty of seating available on comfy beach chairs.  The chairs are shaded.   When a guy approaches me offering me a menu, I realize the chairs belong to the restaurant across the street.  I order a drink to wash down the lunch that I packed.   Cons:  There are little sticks and debris all over the sand. There is seaweed and other stuff floating in the water.  This beach has a stony bottom.   I guess I won't be getting in here.   I hang out at this beach for a couple hours and decide to catch a bus back to my home for the week in Aliki.  The bus driver tells me I missed the bus What, I'm on time?  Did it leave early?  He tells me his bus goes to AntiParos. AntiParos?  That name rings a bell.  Earlier this week in Athens, I became fast friends with another solo traveler who told me that she loved visiting the beaches in Antiparos.  OK, I'm sold.  I tell the bus driver that I will stay on board.  He looks at me questioningly and shrugs his shoulders.

The bus reaches it's final destination.  It's a little city called Pounta. Everyone gets off of the bus and starts walking toward a ferry.  Pounta?  I thought I was going to Antiparos?  I follow the crowd.  It turns out the ferry takes us to Antiparos.  OK, I buy a ticket.  Now at this point, I take a photo of the schedule.  I start to remind myself that I have no idea where I am going or how I will get back.  Lots of people have suitcases with them.  I suppose I could find a hotel if there are no return ferries.   I would hate to have to pay for a hotel stay when I have already paid for the one I am staying at in Aliki.  These things run through my head, but I assume things will probably work out.

I get off at the port in Antiparos with the goal of finding the wonderful beach that my new friend mentioned.  I guess she never told me the name.  I Google local beaches.  There are 4 on the island.  I ask someone about the closest one and she gives me directions.  My surroundings are really beautiful.   I don't mind exploring.  I'm guessing that this sandy path might lead to the beach.  I see some people fishing along the way.

Beach in Antiparos with slippery, rock plates 

This rocky path should have given me a clue that I was approaching a rocky beach.  I turn a corner?  Is this a topless beach?  I remind myself that I am in Europe.  The entire beach is not topless.  It just seems that the group of ladies where I entered were eager to tan with absolutely no tan lines. Actually, the other beaches seemed to be pretty casual about topless sunbathers now that I think about it.   I walk a bit further and notice some chairs.  I grab one, sit down, and put down my belongings.  This beach is not sandy at all. It is covered in tiny pebbles.  I take off my sandals and walk carefully to the water's edge so that the pebbles don't stab the soles of my foot.  It seems there is another obstacle. The water has slippery rock plates to climb.  The plates go out for about 15-20 feet before you drop down to water with a sandy bottom.   I cross the plates carefully hoping not to fall.   The temperature today has been in the low 90s.  I'm glad to cool off in the water.  I return to my chair to read a book.  After a while, an old man with leathery skin and white stuff around his mouth approaches me.  He holds out his hand and says: "4 Euro".  I'm alarmed and quickly say : NO! I'm thinking, is this drug addict demanding money from me?  He points at the stack of chairs close by and points at my chair saying a sentence in Greek and ending with the words "4 Euro".  I now realize that he is referring to the chair I am sitting in.  I still don't want to give him 4 Euro for a chair, so I get out of the chair and lay my portable mat on the ground.  A lady nearby who overheard the exchange turns and tells me that 4 Euro is the cost of the chair for a whole day, but it seems silly to pay that much now late in the day.  I agree with her.  I lay on my mat and finish my book.  It is starting to get late and I should figure out how to get home.

This man insisted that I give him 4 Euro.  I was really confused about why he wanted money from me.  

I catch the ferry back to Pounta and the bus back to Parikia.  I have dinner in Parikia.  It is a traditional snack/meal called Souvlaki.  It is grilled pork and veggies wrapped in a pita.  It taste good and it is cheap at about $2.50USD.  Afterward I take the bus back to Aliki.

Back in Aliki, I look around with new appreciation.  I picked this part of the island because they had accommodation that was available when I needed it and it was affordable.  It turns out, the place fits my needs. I took 4 busses and 2 ferries to find out that the best beach on the island of Paros is an 8 minute walk from my hotel.

How can a teacher afford this much travel?

I taught professionally for 10 years in the USA.  During that time I took 1 trip outside of the USA and it was a very big budget stretcher.  If you had told me 4 years ago that I would travel to 10 countries in one calendar year, I would have rolled my eyes a served up some sarcastic reply such as "Yeah right, do you know what I do for a living?"  Fast forward to 2016 and my current situation.  The 10 countries thing is true.   I'm still a teacher.  How can I afford to travel this much?

As of 2014, the US census bureau states that the average annual household income is a little over $50,000.  My salary is about average for an US household.  My move from a North Carolina public school system(notorious for poor teacher pay) to an international school in Kuwait meant that I earned an increase in salary.  Additionally, this position includes paid living expenses so I no longer pay rent or utilities.  All of this has allowed me increased flexibility in my spending.  I was really proud to pay off over 10K in debt over the past year.  I still have one credit card and a student loan to pay off and plan to do so this school year.  Is travel interfering with my goal to become completely debt free?

Yes and no.  I follow the teachings of financial advisor Dave Ramsey.  I feel as if he gives simple instructions to eliminate debt and build wealth.  I have  an emergency fund in place and used the debt snowball method to pay off my debts from smallest to largest.  Dave talks about "gazelle intensity".   He teaches about  giving up "extras" such as eating out and taking vacations in order to reach the goal of financial freedom.  I am not gazelle intense.  Sometimes my budget approaches gazelle intensity and other times, like this summer, the debt free goal is more like "turtle" intensity.  I both cases, still pay extra toward the smallest debt beyond the minimum due. I chose a position living abroad because of the travel perks.  Therefore, I choose to continue paying off debts AND travel.  But I have to be smart about this.  Here are some of the ways I try to be smart about spending while traveling.

1.  Every trip has a budget
My monthly budget has a category for travel.   I have to know what I am spending going into a trip.  For example. When I went to Egypt, I did not want to pay more than $600 total.  My airfare cost $239 and shared hotel cost $165.  All other expenses had to come out of the remaining  $196.  I overspent by about $7.  I find that with a budget, I'm more conscious about my spending in general.  Even if I overspend, it is much less than if I am just guessing about my expenses as I go.

US dollars can go a long way in Egypt

I also like to pay for my trip in stages.  I may buy the plane ticket in March and then pay for the accommodation in April.  When the trip comes around in May, I only have to pay for food and other miscellaneous expenses as I go. I also book everything myself.  I've never used a travel agent.  Why should they get a cut of what I am paying for my trip?  The internet is full of resources making a travel agent obsolete in most cases.

This is a photo of my hotel in Paros, Greece

This simple kitchen has a toaster oven, 2 burners, a sink and a fridge. Perfect for a week at a beach getaway

my apt in Greece

2. I stay in budget accommodation

If you live in America, you might be picturing a dingy Motel 6 with bed bugs and roaches.  This has never been the case for me.  I use Airbnb.com and Booking.com regularly to find affordable places to stay.  For example, I am currently in Greece staying in a 1 bedroom apt. for a week. This apt. cost me $55.00 per night.  My stay in Athens was also about $50/night.  I found both of these places through AirBnb.  In Athens, I stayed in the home of a local resident and slept in the bedroom that she rents out to guest.  While it is different to  stay in the home of someone who is not your friend or family member, it is also nice to be welcomed by someone upon arrival to a new country.  I look for host who have lots of positive reviews.  I look for female host as well because I feel more comfortable staying with a woman. I have found the host to be kind and willing to give lots of tips because they are proud of the cities in which they live.  I will be going to Santorini next week, and that will be the first time I will pay over $100/ night for a hotel stay in my entire year of world travel excluding 1 trip within the US this summer.

my AirBnB home in Athens this August

3. I use a currency converter
I have a currency converter app on my phone.  This helps me to know what I am actually spending in other countries.  This is especially important in Kuwait because you must multiply to figure out the amount in US dollars.  If I am shopping for spaghetti sauce in the store, it doesn't seem like a big deal if the price is 3KD because 3 is a small number.  However 3KD is almost 10 US dollars.   My currency converter helps me to determine whether I am getting a bargain or just getting ripped off.

4. I walk and use public transportation
Walking is a great way to see your new environment and burn off calories.  I prefer to walk or take a local bus/train over using taxis.  They are usually much more affordable than paying a taxi.  I like using Google Maps for walking directions and the app RometoRio which compares the time and cost of walking vs. buses/trains vs. taxis.   If my options are a free 25 minute walk with Googles turn by turn walking directions or a $16 nine minute taxi ride, I prefer to walk.

my kitchen sink is also doing double duty as a washing machine

6. I stay in places with a kitchen
Eating out gets expensive when you travel.  Its nice to stay in places with a kitchen so that you can prepare meals for yourself.  Even if groceries are a bit more expensive than at home, they are still usually cheaper than eating at restaurants for 2-3 meals each day.   AirBnb homes are great for this, because host usually welcome you to use their kitchens and cooking utensils.

This man is holding a notebook and umbrella that say "ask me about a free walking tour" in the heart of Amsterdam.  He lead a pretty great tour. 

7.  I LOVE free walking tours
Check it out the next time you travel. Most big cities have these.  Instead of paying a tour company $25-$50 or more for a tour of the city, I look for the free walking tour.  The tour is usually given by a local resident who meets the group at a local monument and walks with your tour group giving highlights at locations around the city for 2-3 hours.  I have done this in Sydney, Amsterdam, and Athens.   I find that the free tour guides tend to be local history buffs eager to share cool information about their hometowns including best restaurants, cheap ways to get around, and local hot spots.  They work for tips.  I try to give a tip that is equal to at least half of what I would pay for a tour through a tour company.

its like the big comfy chairs are there to tease you as you file back to coach

8. What's first class?

I fly coach with the regular people :).   Those plush seats in the front of the plane look really tempting, especially for long flights of 6 hours or more.  I have to be realistic.  I'd rather spend $1,000 on the trip itself than spend and extra $1,000 to sit in the comfy seat on the plane.  My current "first class experiences" are seeing beautiful place and meeting cool people, not sitting in comfy seats and staying in fancy hotels.

9.  I don't "Finance" my travel

My goal is to get out of debt, so my airfare and accommodation expenses do not go on credit cards.  I have paid for 1 plane ticket in the past year with a credit card and really didn't like the feeling.  I know that credit cards have consequences, but have learned that I revert to an immature "money grows on trees" mentality when I use them.  If I used credit cards when I traveled, I would talk myself into upgrades left an right.  I understand that bonus points are available, but I personally don't have the self control to use cards for necessities only and never "wants".   It's safer and cheaper for me to use cash.

photo taken during my morning walk in Paros, Greece 

photo captured during my morning walk in Paros, Greece 

Travel can be more affordable than you might expect.  My home base in Kuwait means that airfare to different destinations is far cheaper than it would be from the United States.  I still search for the best deals to make each travel experience both comfortable and affordable.

As a teacher in North Carolina, I felt as if my goal to travel internationally was unrealistic.  However an international move has allowed me make progress with my goals of paying debts and traveling more.

When you have a long layover and write a blog post- Schiphol Airport

I've seem to be a frequent visitor at Schiphol Airport located in Amsterdam.  This is my 6th time here in the past year. Today I have a 6 hour layover here.  I considered going back out to see the beautiful city again, but the weather today looks like this

rainy day in Amsterdam

I've decided to share some of the sights around this airport with you because....well what else have I got to do.  I left Detroit at 4:15pm Tuesday and only slept for about 30 minutes on that 7 hour flight to Amsterdam.  When I arrived here, the local time was 6 something AM Wednesday.  This means that it was just after midnight in Detroit.  I've been wandering around the airport for about 4 hours now.  My body is starting to send me messages that I should really be asleep right now, but daylight outside and a busy airport are confusing this message.  Luckily, this airport has comfy chairs for weary travelers like me to stretch out and relax.  

Although Dutch is the official language of The Netherlands, English is the primary written language for signs in this airport.   I learned from experience visiting Amsterdam this summer, that most Dutch people are bilingual and speak English.  That means that I can easily communicate with store and restaurant workers throughout the airport.  

Some people think that international airports will be very scary and confusing.  I haven't found that to be the case in my experience.  This airport has made some nice improvements since my first visit last August with lots of comfy seating areas for travelers.  In addition, there are places for shopping, a variety of restaurants, and a casino.  

Holland Casino

Holland is the land of tulips 

duty free l

lounges 

I really appreciate the complimentary services available at the airport.  I did forget to bring my adaptor so that I could charge my electronic devices.  Luckily, I found some charging stations that allow me to plug directly into a USB port.  Wifi is free throughout the airport! 

Complimentary computers available with internet access and charging stations

these little carts are free of charge.  I paid $4 to use one in Detroit