ExGingi's 3 generation wedding & Pesach trip to Russia.

[JMHO]

Must be really interesting drinking 4 cups at seudas moshiach so close to where the practice was instituted.

Intoxicating!

[ExGingi]

Last days in Lubavitch were a wonderful experience. The opportunity to spend time with people of various levels in Yiddishkeit (including one non-Jew who is in the process of conversion, along with the wonderful Gordon family) was truly exhilarating. We actually felt both welcome and able to contribute to others enjoying their YT.

I hope to write up a little about the people we spent time with.

We are now back in the Sprinter on the way to Moscow, where we will spend the morning before heading to the airport.

[ExGingi]

Must be really interesting drinking 4 cups at seudas moshiach so close to where the practice was instituted.

We didn't have 18 tables, nor 310 temimim present. And while the outside plan of the structure is as close as possible to what it was back in the day, I am unsure of the inside layout of specifics. Regardless, it was a wonderful experience.

As a side note, I don't think Chabad farbrengens in other parts of the world (other than the former USSR) has such public and open talk about обрезание.

Rabbi Gordon saw in ליובאוויטש וחייליה a description of Seudas Moshiach with the Rebbe Rashab where it said that he had a borscht, so he prepared a borscht for those that wanted (my sons and I stuck to what I say by the Rebbe, just Matzos, wine, and water).

[ExGingi]

May 1st being a legal holiday, Moscow was traffic free.

DME international departures is quite empty.

This is what the "lines" for Outbound border control looked like.


I've never seen such thorough passport checking like Moscow border control (inbound and outbound). They use a light and a loupe to check passport security features, and flip through all pages. This is in addition to the standard verbal verification of name.

[ExGingi]

Just booked my DME-CAI leg in J using Lifemiles HC mixed cabin (luckily found something bookable online) 15,270 LM + $59.98.

Revenue fare currently $1030.79. Yesterday there was no award availablity and revenue price was $783.79

Only DME-CAI boarding passes issued at DME, regardless of final destination, so I don't see why there should be any issue to get boarding pass issued at transit desk along with everyone else at CAI. Being such a large group (with less luggage coming back) it was no problem for me to check myself with no luggage.

[ExGingi]

Only DME-CAI boarding passes issued at DME, regardless of final destination, so I don't see why there should be any issue to get boarding pass issued at transit desk along with everyone else at CAI. Being such a large group (with less luggage coming back) it was no problem for me to check myself with no luggage.

Everyone with a connection needed to go to the EgyptAir transfer desk. Apparently they use different systems than the ones they use in Moscow, so not only did we need to get boarding passes printed, we needed to show all the luggage tags so the tag numbers get re-entered for the flight to JFK.

[ExGingi]

CAI airport has good airconditioning, other airports should learn, including JFK.

[Dan]

CAI airport has good airconditioning, other airports should learn, including JFK.

TLV is one of the worst offenders.

[yelped]

TLV is one of the worst offenders.

In my limited experience, Heathrow was the worst.

[Dan]

In my limited experience, Heathrow was the worst.

But at least LHR has some excellent lounges, with AC.

[ExGingi]

But at least LHR has some excellent lounges, with AC.

The Priority Pass lounge in CAI terminal 3 is on the small side and has no showers, but maintened much better than many other lounges. Constantly cleaned, seats rearranged for guest comfort (groups) bathrooms impeccable (attendant literally standing at the door, opened the garbage can for me to dispose paper towels). Even female members of our group were impressed. 

[ExGingi]

TLV is one of the worst offenders.

Your experience is more recent than mine,but on my last visit I found it improved over what it used to be. The huge windows letting in direct sunlight don't help much there.

[ExGingi]

One word of advice: if traveling in a large group, try to plan on splitting up as much as possible. 2 or 3 medium groups are more manageable than one large one. It will make for a better and less stressful experience.

[ExGingi]

Now comes the challenge of balancing between work catch-up and filling in the missing pieces here.

[Dan]

I take it my hidden city advice went OK?

[ExGingi]

I take it my hidden city advice went OK?

Yup. With EgyptAir requiring everyone who checked in at DME to go to the transfer desk at CAI to get the next boarding pass (and present all luggage tags so that numbers can be re-entered for next trip), my process was indistinguishable from anyone else's. No luggage checked under my name at DME. HC savings 26,730 lifemiles.

[ExGingi]

CAI airport has good airconditioning, other airports should learn, including JFK.

On a similar note, paper towel dispensers at DME restrooms dispense a decent amount on a single hand wave. No need for multiples. Other public restrooms should learn and get rid of annoying air dryers.

[ExGingi]

Just booked my DME-CAI leg in J using Lifemiles HC mixed cabin (luckily found something bookable online) 15,270 LM + $59.98.

Revenue fare currently $1030.79. Yesterday there was no award availablity and revenue price was $783.79

Rather weird that the revenue fare was so high. Business cabin was literally empty.

[ExGingi]

All my Kasa smart switches lost connectivity in my absence. I tried restarting my router but no luck. I really don't look forward to having to reset all of them.

[yelped]

Yup. With EgyptAir requiring everyone who checked in at DME to go to the transfer desk at CAI to get the next boarding pass (and present all luggage tags so that numbers can be re-entered for next trip), my process was indistinguishable from anyone else's. No luggage checked under my name at DME. HC savings 26,730 lifemiles.

You just didn't check your luggage further? Most airports do it for you automatically, no?