Our hour was up and it was time to head to track platform. Like many European train stations, one had to actually walk down stairs, through a tunnel and then back up stairs to get to your platform. This is not way it works in San Diego. It also doesn’t rain in San Diego. Rain, 70 pound bag on wheels, plastic bars, stairs…I think you get picture.

The stairs were packed as I shuffled forward pulling lump behind me. You would be proud. I made first flight without maiming anyone or being slapped. Just as I stepped down second flight, “thou was nudgeth from behind.”

Time slowed.

The lump hit me in back of knees. I fell back onto lump. In a transformation beyond my primitive understanding of quantum physics, lump became a high performance bobsled. Down I went.

Still in slow motion, I couldn’t help but notice agility of Russians in stairwell. Some jumped up an ornamental shelf running down stairs. Overweight individuals sucked it up and suddenly became thin. Miraculously, not one soul was hit on my way to bottom. My landing was uneventful, which is to say there wasn’t a loud smack on wall at bottom of stairs.

I jumped up and turned to see if anyone was injured. There was total silence. Faces just stared back at me. Apparently, only thing injured was my ego and skin, which was turning a dark shade of red. Well, I like to make an impression! I vehemently prayed that none of them were going to Chita.

Everyone started moving again and not a word was said. Alas, lump was not so accommodating when it came to climbing up stairs on other end of tunnel.

Next – The Trans-Siberian Railway…How Many Days To Chita?!

First Class Airfare: Dinner Ah, food. There is nothing better than a luxurious meal. And on a first class airfare trip, you’re sure to get your fill with these amazing meals, complete with dessert: • American: Filet mignon, paella or lamb in rosemary sauce, with vanilla flan and while chocolate mousse for dessert. • United: Citrus sesame chicken with rice, and ice cream sundaes with works for dessert. • Delta: Five course meal with ice cream sundaes with works for dessert. • Continental: Porcini mushroom veal chops and roasted veggies with ice cream sundaes and works for dessert. • Virgin: Selection of 23 different menu items, with petit desserts such as cheesecake. • Singapore: Lobster, steak, lamb or a barramundi fillet, with health sweets for dessert.

First Class Airfare: ‘Other’ Perks There are a myriad of other things first class airfare passengers receive on their trip; here is a mélange of most interesting: • American: Free champagne, a personal TV and DVD player, and noise erasing headsets. • United: Free Dom and scotch, a personal TV, and an inflatable seat that gives back massages. • Delta: An amazing free wine selection, video games, and a self-service snack bar. • Virgin: Free vodka or cognac, play Nintendo games, in-flight massages and manicures, and a free limousine service.