So here I am....the Traveler 'on the road'....out seeing the world of adventures and experiences that await me.....oh wait, that's someone else. Me? I'm exploring the world of the Renasissance Hotel in Leipzig, Germany. Room 342, to be exact. And what wonders abound! Little soaps, a TV that has ONE English channel - CNN (which I hate), and an air conditioner that refuses to cool below 80 degrees Farenheit. Oh, the fun that is my life. No, I'm not complaining...well not ALOT....you see, my airline has this wonderful assignment that I've been thrilled to accept - its called "Online Reserve". We all cringe when we see it placed on our schedule. Its so bad that they have to 'rotate out' people to do it, that way no one is assigned it more than once every few months. The requirements? You SIT. And WAIT. Then SIT and WAIT some more. And you have to be within (literally) 10 feet of the room's telephone at all times, as you're required to answer the phone on the first call (no voicemail or callbacks allowed). You're at the mercy of our airline's scheduling department. Want to step out for a bite to eat? You have to call and get PERMISSION. Need some items at the drugstore? PERMISSION. Want to get even a tiny whiff of fresh air? PERMISSION, PERMISSION, PERMISSION. And even then, you're only allowed about a half hour, before you have to be back in your room.
This assignment causes us flight attendants to go to some drastic measures for entertainment and 'creature comforts'. You can always tell if a flight attendant has been assigned Online Reserve by the mountains of luggage which accompany them. Me? I'm packed to the rafters with so many magazines and books that I could open my own Barnes & Noble. I literally need BOTH hands to hoist my 3 suitcases up a single step (to be fair, its not QUITE as bad as it sounds...its a monstrous suitcase and 2 very large carry-ons). I have enough salon products and toiletries to last me a month (I'm on call this time for 40 days straight - yep, you read that right - 40 days). I have with me every possible clothing ensemble that I could stretch into my suitcase. I have 7 pairs of shoes with me (yes, the 'girlie-girl' in me is beginning to show, I know). I even have my stuffed animal puppy dog with me (I can't sleep without it).
After 10 years of international travel, I've come to carry what some might consider somewhat odd items with me in my mountains of luggage. So for those of you non-flight attendants, I will give you a glimpse into the rarely seen world of flight attendant baggage (actual baggage, not 'mental baggage', which, speaking for myself, I have a lot of THAT, as well. Hell, I'll admit it. I'm self -aware enough - I've got baggage from Samsonite, baggage in my brain, and baggage (or rather puffy bags) under my eyes). Want to know what to pack for your next international trip? Forget the "Travel Tip" websites out there......If you REALLY want to know what 'must haves' you need to take, ask a flight attendant! (And by the way, I'm sorry that this post isn't going to fill your thoughts with all the wonders of the sites and sounds of Leipzig Germany....I've got to work with what I've got....and I've got to write this post within 10 feet of the telephone at all times....so here goes....)
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