Sunday, January 29, 2006

Clubbing in Dusseldorf

I just returned from a girls' night out tonight for L's birthday - fondue at her place followed by dancing. So we went to the Palladium here in Dusseldorf, where it was hip hop/R&B night. (This Palladium being the same as the one in NYC in name only.)

I have never in my life seen so much of the following in one place:

gel, white leather, faux mohawks, gel, acid wash jeans, love handles over the jeans, gel, Dolce&Gabbana t-shirts, overtanned faces, studded belts, and gel. And there was one young woman who was channeling Britney Spears - fedora and all. It was truly insane.

You don't pay cash for your drinks. Upon entering the club, you are issued a card that is punched out with an elaborate hole-puncher by your bartender when you order a drink. No money, no tips. You pay when you leave the club. And if you lose the card, you have to pay 40 or 50 euros.

We did a fair amount of dancing - but unfortunately the music left a bit to be desired. The highlight was when they played Mariah's "Get Your Number". I may have to strike the Palladium from my list of hotspots in Dusseldorf...

Monday, January 09, 2006

I Heart British Airways!

So I'm back now in D'dorf after a whirlwind visit back in NY. I wish I had had more time to see people and hang out, but it was a good visit, nonetheless.

So, I was a little late getting to the airport, and when I got there, the line to check in was extraordinarily long...so I pulled out my Us magazine to keep me occupied while I waited. When I finally made it to the counter, I asked the woman if there was a possibility of getting a window seat. Her answer? "Never mind a window, I've got to try to get you on this flight."

Shit. All I could think was that I get bumped from this flight and have to go back a day later, which would mean missing a day of work (which they would frown upon highly).

So I waited with fingers crossed, foot tapping restlessly. And then, figuring I had nothing to lose, I timidly asked, "What about an upgrade?" Expecting a tart response, I was quite surprised when she answered, "Well, it looks like the computer is way ahead of me - they've already upgraded you!"

Yippee!!!

The upgrade was to business class, and since they don't serve food in biz class on flights after 7:30pm (according to a survey, biz class flyers would rather sleep than be interrupted by food), I would have to eat in the British Airways lounge. And eat I did: fresh roasted turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted butternut squash and green beans, and a nice cold glass of pinot grigio. The amount of food they had on offer was insane - all fresh and delish.

When I boarded the plane, I was walking through the first section to get to what I thought was biz class. But then I realized that I had gone too far, and backtracked to my seat....which was in the FLAT BED SECTION!!! As if the lounge experience wasn't enough, now I would be able to recline fully and sleep.

I sat down, in a bit of shock, and 30 seconds later, I was being offered a glass of champagne. And while I sipped my bubbly, I was massaged by two bikini clad, heavily muscled men, while a third fed me chocolate dipped strawberries...

Ok, I'm kidding about that last part. But I did have the option for a little snack - warm chocolate chip cookies with hot chocolate that was served with whipped cream topped with chocolate shavings. Divine. I kept thinking of that Seinfeld episode where Jerry is bumped up to 1st class and Elaine has to stay in coach. If you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about.

Oh, and further bonus? As a biz class traveller, I got to skip the insanely long security line at Heathrow (when I changed flights). Instead of having 200 people in front of me, there were...4.

How am I ever going to be able to go back to coach?