Friday Travel Stories and News 1.12.24

Welcome to the NFN8|BLUE’s(Infinite Blue 😊) Friday Travel Stories and News. Fridays will be all about different experiences and funny stories.

_{24 Hour Arizona Getaway-Part II}

🏔️Flagstaff offered a captivating overnight stay that left an indelible mark on our memories. Arriving at Americana Motor Hotel along Route 66, a choice made by my lovely wife, Sherry, I harbored reservations about motels, albeit she had her reasons for selecting it. Stepping into our room felt like a leap back in time to the 1970s, an exhilarating experience. The retro ambiance was spellbinding with a disco ball adorning the corner, an old-school Playmate Cooler for ice, and vibrant, nostalgic carpets that breathed life into the space. The meticulous attention to detail in renovating the motel made it feel brand new while retaining its vintage charm, a delight for both Sherry and me, being enthusiasts of the Mid-Century Modern era.

🏨One delightful surprise that came with our stay at the Americana was two adult tickets to the Lowell Observatory. Astonishingly, although advertised on their website, the staff seemed unaware of this inclusion, requiring Sherry to display the offer on their site for validation. After settling into our room, we embarked on a brief ten-minute drive up the mountains to reach the observatory, a fascinating experience with numerous telescopes available for observation. Among the celestial wonders, Saturn held a special allure for me.

🦉The following morning, bidding farewell to our retro haven, we indulged in a delectable breakfast at the Toasted Owl. The biscuits and gravy were unparalleled, with the rich and flavorsome gravy stealing the show, complemented by the tantalizing jalapeño bacon. The meal was a delight, prompting the certainty of a return visit.

🚗Having savored Flagstaff's offerings, we reluctantly departed for the valley, eager to engage in some much-anticipated football, marking an end to our delightful stay filled with nostalgic charm, celestial wonders, and gastronomic delights.

-Jamie

Some Travel News

✈️ Emerging Details Unveiled Regarding Alaska Airlines Plane Component Dislodgement During Flight Investigation into 'Explosive Decompression' Continues

✈️American Airlines' Loyalty Program Undergoing Changes: Essential Details You Should Know

✈️CEO Transition at JetBlue: First Female Leader to Take Helm of Major U.S. Airline

Search for Come-He’s Probably Dead

By Peter Ramseier

Part 1

🌍My fondness for travel has been a lifelong passion. The exhilaration of takeoff, the prospect of commencing a day in one continent and concluding it in another - perhaps these are the reasons. Or maybe it's the way travel disrupts routines and confronts conventional norms. Languages, cuisines, time zones, and landscapes all undergo transformation when one embarks on a journey. It unsettles you, compelling you to rediscover yourself in unfamiliar surroundings.

🌍During my youth, my family traversed the skies frequently, shuttling between airplanes, airports, hotels, and guest houses. I was what they call a "missionary kid." My father, an immigrant from Switzerland to the US, agreed to serve as a French teacher in Africa for three years in exchange for a funded college education. I was barely a year old when we departed from New York and landed in Rwanda. My recollections of that time are faint, with my earliest memory being my father killing a black mamba in the corner of my brother's and my shared bedroom using a Masai spear. Following three years in Rwanda, with my parents' profound affection for Africa, my father accepted another teaching position, this time in Burundi. It was in Burundi that my narrative truly commenced. We resided there until I turned 14. Despite not returning until I reached 40, not a day passed—up to this moment—that I haven't thought of Burundi.

🌍Shortly before my 40th birthday, I called my brother and disclosed my plan to return in search of Come(Co May). For those familiar with living abroad, it's customary to employ individuals to assist with household tasks—a night watchman, a gardener, someone to oversee home affairs. They become an integral part of the family. When my parents hired Nkurikiye Come, he was 17 years old. Come lived about 10 miles away and would arrive at our house at 7 am, departing around 4 pm. He woke us, aided my mother with cooking and cleaning, and kicked our asses when we were out of line. He was akin to our paternal figure—the one with muscles, the white one was fat! Come was involved in every facet of our upbringing, teaching us Kirundi, imparting knowledge on handling snakes and raising chickens for eggs, instructing us on when to slaughter and consume the chickens, identifying edible roots and plants, igniting fires, navigating the mountains if lost... he taught us everything with an ever-present smile. We attended his wedding, and at seven, he even permitted us to sip banana beer by the cauldron alongside him and his friends. In our locality, we were known as Come's kids.

🌍Preparing for the trip was simple. As a child, I scarcely wore shoes or shirts, so all I required were flip flops and a pair of shorts. The visa process was somewhat tedious. I embarked on a day trip from San Diego to DC solely to have my passport stamped at the Burundi Embassy. The embassy personnel inquired about my intentions. "I aim to find Nkurikiye Come," was my straightforward reply. Without hesitation, the lady shook her head with a mournful smile, speaking in the accent I yearned to hear once more. She uttered, "He's probably dead."

First and foremost I want to apologize to Peter and all of the subscribers to this newsletter. After it was pointed out that this story sounded like it could have been about my experience, I realized my regrettable mistake. Please understand that this was an oversite on my part as I learn this industry, and I am working hard to make sure this does not happen again.

Appreciate your understanding,

 Jamie

How do you feel about the current content being provided?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

• 👍👍👍👍👍

• 👍👍👍👍

• 👍👍👍

• 👍👍

• 👍

Follow us on all of our socials