I rarely fly Delta. In fact, I can't remember the last time it happened. So this is old news, but I'm going to blog about it anyway because I have a weird sense of humor and I thought it was amazing.

I'm talking about Delta's in-flight safety video. Totally, unbelievably, hilarious. I was glued to my seat for the entire safety video. I was sad when it ended.  Safety videos with model flight attendants and the same motions and verbiage (i.e. in most sing-songy voice possible "insert the metal fitting into the buckle and tighten by pulling on the loose end of the strap. To release, just lift the buckle!") are monotonous and boring. I can repeat United's from beginning to end, on cue. So why in the world would I watch the safety video?

Delta nailed why...because when you add ridiculous things like an abacus and a rubber chicken, I not only can't stop watching, I can't stop laughing. You really have to see it for yourself. It's like a spoof on the normal safety video, but better. Better because it adds in ridiculous elements that reflect on the ridiculous state of flying and the ridiculous things that happen on planes.

You can watch it here.

Apparently they have had varying levels of amusing flight safety videos coming out for the last year or so. I don't stalk YouTube (I just saw the honey badger video about six months ago...don't judge), but I might have to change that policy to see what they come up with next. 

My real question--do foreigners (i.e. not from the United States) think this video is just completely crazy? Strike that, I think some of the humor is probably completely lost on Americans, too. I mean, what percentage of citizens do you think could now identify an abacus? More than can correctly name the VP or Secretary of State? Yea....that's what I thought.

So, Delta, here is my suggestion for a flight safety video...(also, how did they cancel Selfie? that show was excellent):

Flight attendant: Please fasten your seatbelt when seated.
Passenger: My seatbelt? I thought you meant everyone elseee's seatbelt.  I mean, I totally have to pee in like five, so can't it wait? I really don't think you mean me, right?  Woahhhhh (turns head)...can I see my reflection in the metal of the buckle? Is that something in my teeth? Why do I need to fasten my seat belt again? I really need to pee.

I've realized that I'm a bad relaxer. I'm constantly wanting to check things off my to-do list, or talk about what else needs to be accomplished. I hate having a list of "undone" items while relaxing. In contrast, DH can have all the things in the world to accomplish and still decide to take a whole day to do nothing. Yup, nothing. This drives me crazy for two reasons--first, because he could be helping with my to-do list (like house cleaning). Second and probably more importantly, because no matter how hard I try, I really can't seem to do the same.

One of my fondest travel memories to date is going to visit the mountain gorillas. I was fortunate enough to see them in both Uganda and Rwanda. While I understand the controversies surrounding animal tourism, and the risks of habituating these animals (for example, disease), I strongly believe that there are important benefits. In particular, the ability to monitor their health, their populations, their family dynamics, and other characteristics makes habituation incredibly important. 

My United loyalty started when I lived in Wyoming, with a teensy airport that had commuter flights that partnered with United. Back in the day, it was much more difficult to book flights on unconnected airlines, so we ended up flying United.

I stuck with United, more or less, across the years as they consistently had service where I needed to go. Including Wyoming. But as I traveled to Wyoming less and less, I realized my loyalty was habit rather than function. Plus, I'm still feeling the nostalgia for the amazing McDonald's happy meals, complete with awesome airline-themed toys, they used to serve. Those were the days.

The straw that broke the camel's back was the US Air and American merger. Living in DC, and flying frequently out of DCA, we almost always were on US Air, so it's switch from Star Alliance to OneWorld made me really reconsider our Star Alliance loyalty. 

I'm getting in my travel wrap-up post before the deluge of such things around the first of the year...and the theme of this year's wrap up? No major travel trouble! 

DH seems to be a good luck charm, as I've had my share of horrible travel experiences. My favorites include the following: taking 3 days to fly across the United States, being bumped from a flight that was "overweight" while a very, very, very large man who started screaming and threatening the gate agent was put on in front of me, having crap stolen with an intact TSA lock....I could go on but you get the idea.

Soooooooooo I'm a big proponent of flying whenever possible. DCA makes it so easy to get in and get out and not spend hours at the airport. But we drove to upstate New York for Thanksgiving.

Two words: the dog.

Happy Thanksgiving! In the spirit of delicious food....

If someone was asked to describe me, I can most definitely bet they would not say I was "cheery" and "optimistic". Nope, I'm pleasant, but definitely more realistic and a bit grumpy.  Why should you care? Well, I feel like being a storm cloud of rain today, so here is my week in travel blahs.

After traveling quite a bit the past month, and getting sick quite a bit in the past month, I'm ready for Christmas carols and cookies and lights. Those things make me happy. 

If we thought Paro was a bit warm, Punakha was crazy hot and humid, but the valley was gorgeous. We arrived in Punakha after a fun drive from Thimpu, in which I was thanking my motion-sickness patch every hairpin turn along the way.

The COMO Punakha property is stunning, it's new, quaint, and with an absolutely beautiful view. They have a deck that is just incredible, overlooking the valley and perfect for an early breakfast or sundowner.

We spent 2 nights in Punakha. Our first stop was at Chimi Lhakhang, otherwise known as the Temple of the Divine Madman. Catchy, right?

Wow. WOW. So this a totally new concept to me, and I'd be interested to hear from other travelers if they were aware this existed.

Perhaps I'm sort of shell-shocked because this concept most definitely wouldn't be so palatable in the United States. Cough (major understatement). I really haven't made up my mind about how I feel about social tourism. It's honestly sort of a bizarre concept. If nothing else, this really highlights some of the fundamental differences that exist between the United States and Europe in terms of social welfare.