Hopping Around Asia (Mostly)

[Yehoshua]

That about sums it up. I mean, perhaps they distinguish between $$ and award, because I cannot imagine people paying $1,000/night put up with that. Or perhaps it's French vs. non-native speakers. Either way.

I can't imagine them being rude to non native French speakers when most of their guests are probably not native French speakers.

[moish]

Early the next morning, I woke up and Uber’d my way back to the airport to make my 6:25am flight to...

Frankfurt

However, there was some labor dispute going on and the check in area was roped off and looked like this:



It wasn’t clear what was going to be with the flight, but finally at a bit after 5am, the staff showed up and check in commenced.

I checked in, made my way through the airport to the pretty weak lounge that didn’t merit any pictures, but for the amazing toilet seat that I think should be installed in every public restroom. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the concept anywhere else since.

[moish]

In FRA, I sprinted over to the Avis counter, where I was told I was upgraded to a Volvo S80. Now, usually that’s a pretty solid upgrade. However, in Germany, where the Autobahn beckons, I ain’t got no time for no Volvos. I politely requested that they please upgrade me to a Porsche, and gave them a whole megilla about them telling me back in 2012 that they would have given me a Porsche then, if not for the fact that I was doing a one-way rental. I was back to collect.

Unfortunately, though, they were all sold out of Porsches. I then started again, with a bit more pressure, explaining that it would just be for a few hours and I really would appreciate it. Again, no go.

Finally, I asked for a manager, and a few minutes later, he came back, saying that wouldn’t you know it, somebody just cancelled their Porsche reservation, and 10 minutes later, I had the keys to a Porsche Panamera 4S in hand. Vroom vroom, I was on my way to the Autobahn. (Disclaimer: I have a special relationship with Avis, so odds are it probably won’t work for you.)

[moish]

I joyrided on the Autobahn for a bit, and broke my previous record set in 2012. I could have gone even faster, but there was always someone in the left lane at some point.



I eventually drove over to the city of Mainz for a bit of Jewish Heritage I had missed on my previous visit. I drove to the Jewish community center (a pretty cool building in its own right) at Hindenburgstraße 45 to get the keys to the ancient cemetery. They usually charge for the privilege, but waive the fee for students. I was just hoping they wouldn’t be looking out of the window while I got back into my Porsche parked nearby.



The cemetery contains the graves of 2 of the rishonim, R’ Yaakov ben Yakar, Rashi’s rebbi, and Rabbeinu Gershom Meor Hagolah.

[moish]

I then headed back to the airport. As I had booked a one way First Class ticket from Macau to New York, I booked myself on a Lufthansa 747-400, a product I really wanted to try, with a dedicated bed next to the seat. But first, I had to experience the First Class Terminal. I knew that they return rental cars there, so after a few passes, I finally found the entrance, drove up and left them the keys to take care of the return.

Much has been written about the FCT so I won’t talk about it too much. I will say, however, that I wasn’t blown away. It might have something to do with the fact that I forgot to order a kosher meal ahead of time, I don’t smoke cigars, and I wasn’t in the mood of drinking alone. But I’m someone that loves taking a shower at the airport. What’s even better than a shower at the airport? A bath. It was really a wonderful experience bathing before the flight. After my bath (with the rubber ducky), I walked around a bit, got bored, so settled in to one of the private rooms to lay down. One thing I didn't realize beforehand was how small the lounge is. In conclusion, it’s certainly something to experience, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to experience it again.

[moish]

As it got close to the flight, they gathered the few of us on the same flight and drove us over to the plane in a Mercedes S class.



The flight was too short to really experience the bed, and nobody in first class even used it besides me. The food was good, it was cool to see a wind farm in middle of the ocean, and since we were around Easter, they gave out giant milk chocolate bunnies which I gave to the Avis staff at JFK for giving me a nice upgrade.

[moish]

THE END

[David Smith]

Really enjoy your style. Great pics. Thanks for posting.

[moish]

Really enjoy your style. Great pics. Thanks for posting.

youre welcome

[mmgfarb]

Just read through this whole TR, I enjoyed it a lot, thanks for posting!

[moish]

Just read through this whole TR, I enjoyed it a lot, thanks for posting!

no problem

[Emkay]

Only took slightly over a year for that final segment. Very nice though.

[moish]

Only took a year for that final segment. Very nice though.

Technically a bit longer...

[Yordai Dooma]

Great trip report!!
Those toilets you mentioned a few posts up have been in all ORD bathrooms for at least a decade or 2. The airline lounges there unfortunately dont have them

[moish]

Great trip report!!
Those toilets you mentioned a few posts up have been in all ORD bathrooms for at least a decade or 2. The airline lounges there unfortunately dont have them

Cool. I wonder why it hasn't taken off, it's a wonderful idea

[LoLo]

Just read it from beginning to end, Awesome read.

[shulem92]

Just read it from beginning to end, Awesome read.

+1

[moish]

Just read it from beginning to end, Awesome read.

+1

Thanks

[moish]

Anyone interested in a self guided Belarus Jewish heritage TR?

[mmgfarb]

Anyone interested in a self guided Belarus Jewish heritage TR?

Of course.