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I recently flew to Colorado for my friend Lena’s wedding (I took her engagement pictures last December) and spent quite a lot of time in airports. I had three flights each way, so I got to see a lot of people, gates, and takeoffs. Here are some of my observations from my time spent traveling last weekend:
1) The attire of choice for globe-trotting women young and old seems to be leggings. Unfortunately. I have never seen a higher percentage of leggings than in an airport. #scarredforlife
2) Chicago O’Hare is my least favorite airport for two reasons: a) it only offers 30 minutes of complimentary WiFi (stingy much?), and b) it’s laid out in a very sprawling manner.
3) Airport personnel are admirably friendly and helpful. And dressed up! I love when people dress up.
4) Stewardesses with a sense of humor brighten everyone’s day. Those pre-flight announcements and safety procedures get old really fast, but a stewardess that can crack a joke can be a much-needed dose of entertainment in a dull day of travel.
5) Denver is a nice airport. It has this awesome place called “Que Bueno” that sells authentic Mexican cuisine very quickly and efficiently (a plus when you have a flight to catch) – and the workers are very nice. Get the Ceasar salad with chicken or steak, minus the croutons. It’s amazing and very filling.
6) The Bacon Ranch Salad from McDonald’s (I got one in O’Hare) is about the best value for your buck as far as healthy airport food goes. I was happily surprised at the quality and size…and tastiness. The salad has grilled chicken on it too, so it filled me up!
7) United Airlines offers sparkling water (aka seltzer) on flights!
8) Striding along on moving sidewalks make me grin. Side note: moving sidewalks are for people who want to get somewhere faster, not for people who are tired of walking. That’s my point of view, anyway. If you’re not gonna walk, please at least don’t stand right in the middle and block traffic.
An explanation for the picture below – I was quite proud of myself for fitting everything I needed into a backpack and a computer bag (including the bridesmaid dress that my mother painstakingly sewed for me).
9) It’s great when the airline plays a cooking show on the seatback monitors! In case you didn’t know this, there are headphone jacks in the armrests so you can actually listen to the show. I discovered this 2/3 of the way through said show. #blonde
10) Sleeping while flying can help the time pass faster but usually leaves me feeling more tired after waking than I was before I dozed.
Do you have any observations to add to my list? What are your favorite and least favorite parts of flying? Which airports are your favorites/least favorite and why? What do you eat when you’re at the airport? Comment below and tell me!
Jamie Garcia says
I LOL at #1 & 2! #scarredforlife #leggingarentpants. I totally agree about O’Hare, my least favorite bc of that exact reason. Tampa FL is like that too if memory serves me. Honestly if God never calls me to get on a plane again I’ll be more than happy to obey! ?
OT but something I keep meaning to ask you, what do you wear to ride horses? I’m a skirt wearer and looking to get back into trail riding. Split skirts seem the way to go for me, but they’re so expensive on line!
Briana Thomas says
Hi Jamie! For riding, I just wear riding breeches under my dresses. The skirts are pretty full, so it’s not usually a problem. For higher-profile riding excursions, like horse shows, we make dresses with zippable slits in front and back and then wear pants underneath as well. 🙂
Sue says
NOT FOR PUBLICATION !
But I just want to ask you ‘off-air’ Briana what is the basis for the ladies in your family wearing hair covering all hours of the day and night, not just for meetings. I will probably agree, although none of the locals here do that. I realize you are busy and that this is not on the food topic. Apologies, Sue.
Briana Thomas says
Hi Sue! Great question. 🙂 We base our head covering principle off of 1 Corinthians 11, which states that a woman should have her head covered while praying or prophesying (which can also mean teaching)(1 Cor. 11:5). Since we are called to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17), it only makes sense to cover all the time! It’s a matter of convenience too; I don’t want to always have to seek something out with which to cover my head before I can pray. I believe there is also a measure of protection and identity in covering the head (1 Cor. 11:10), and I feel naked when I don’t have my head covered.
Jamie Garcia says
That’s pretty genius (zipper slits). Thanks!
Patricia says
Briana, I find your blog refreshing and delicious. I set it as my homepage because it’s just so pretty! I couldn’t help but laugh at the hashtag after your first observation. I agree. I once heard an elderly preacher very gently and kindly rebuke a young lady for wearing leggings the way you describe TO CHURCH. She took it well, I think, because he was genuinely concerned for her well being and that came across in his choice of words. But, too, she was a sweet humble young lady who’d never before been taught about modesty.
Briana Thomas says
You are very sweet, Patricia. <3 I'm so glad you enjoy the blog. And yes, humble teaching about modesty is so important!
Sue says
I have learnt by experience to drink plenty of water before a flight of five or more hours.
This morning I woke up and began thinking on Deuteronomy 22:5. This was before I read your post, Briana. We hear talk that something is “abomination in God’s sight” and we tend to feel self-righteous, but in this verse He is saying that our chosen clothing marks us out as being “an abomination unto the Lord your God” – IF it is the clothing usually associated with a male. A majority of females in our society wear trousers today. I’ve stopped going out dressed that way at all, although I wear an old pair in the garden, (usually under a dress), to keep the mosquitoes off.
I’ve realized that God hates gender confusion. He calls it “abomination”.
People may say that pants are women’s clothes today, but how often does one see a man in a dress at church or at the shops ? We women need to get back to pleasing God.
Briana Thomas says
Thanks for the tip, Sue, and I appreciate what you shared! I completely agree. I think we take gender distinction way too lightly these days. Some people argue that the verses from Deuteronomy don’t apply today because they were from the Old Testament, but the same premise is echoed in 1 Corinthians 11 (another passage that most people today do not follow).
Cheryl says
You are too funny.
Mary Kathryn Smith says
Southwest Airlines is by far the best!!! Once the male flight attendant announced that he was tired of the same ol’ safety speech, so he did it all in rap style. It was great and got your attention. Southwest doesn’t charge extra for your first two bags and you’re allowed a carry on too.This is great for my husband when he goes on business trips because he always has a bag for his trade show booth supplies as well as a suitcase and computer bag.
Briana Thomas says
I’ve heard the safety speech in rap form too…I’m thinking it might’ve been SouthWest – maybe it was the same guy…
Cindy says
Seat Guru is an online app that tells you the best and worst seats on any given plane. Southwest Airlines flight attendants have the funniest safety talks. I swear they audition.
Briana Thomas says
Haha…I’ll have to fly SouthWest next time.
Sheila says
People used to really dress up for flying. Now it is sad some of the outfits I see. I know that leggings are comfortable, but they don’t look good on everyone and a tunic ( long) top is a must for adult ladies. Kids are cute. Adults are just vulgar. Thanks for letting me vent?
Rhonda says
Wow! Perfect timing 🙂 we leave Tuesday for Florida and I’m kind of freaking out how I’m going to travel and stay on plan! Thanks for the McDonald’s idea, because there’s always a McDonald’s! But what are your suggestions for snacks? P.s. I’m sipping on my delicious iced vanilla chai eating my breakfast as I type this 🙂 ❤️Your recipes!!!!
Briana Thomas says
I didn’t really take any snacks with me. I was in survival mode. 😛
Candy says
Oh my goodness, you were a block and a half from me. Beautiful area isn’t it?
Briana Thomas says
Are you serious? What a small world! I’m afraid Colorado isn’t nearly as pretty as South Carolina, but I’m glad you enjoy it. 😛