Lunch, @ jfk intl. airport

You'll be glad to know that I made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare. You never quite know how much time it's going to take you to get out to JFK. Whether the subway is going to be running smoothly, or if traffic is going to be backed up.

Having missed a flight or two before (I missed the plane to go to my sister's funeral, don't worry, the flight out the next day got me there in time) I decided to give myself two hours in transit with three hours to rove back and forth from terminal to terminal to get checked in.

I got a late start, so I caught a livery car at 207th and Broadway, and it was smooth sailing until we hit a slight snag around 158th on the Henry Hudson Parkway. Ten minutes later, we were past the accident and off again.

The car service dropped me off at my bank, 70th & Broadway, I took care of some business then strolled out and caught the 1 train down to Columbus Circle, then caught the C to 34th, then the Uptown E to Sutphin Blvd. at which point I switched to the AirTrain.

I arrived at the airport right on schedule, I discovered that JFK doesn't have an Air New Zealand terminal, so I hesitantly stood in the United line (5 minute wait tops), they said that I wouldn't need an FIM (Flight Interruption Management) number after-all, and checked me in.

All said, it was a bit anti-climactic, I had been ready to run back and forth from the Air NZ counter & United attempting to check-in, and now I was left with 3 1/2 hours to cool my heals.

Since it was lunch time, I strolled over to the food court to grab a bite to eat. McDonalds? Um, NO. Coffee place with dry looking, fatty, sugar loaded pastries? Um, NO. Bistro deli, where I could order sliced meats as if I were at Fairway? Um, whatever. And then low and behold what did I see? A Wolfgang Pucks. :)

I have fond memories of Wolfgang Puck's from when I lived down in DC. There was one located between the walk from my apartment and the subway in Pentagon City, and I've eaten dinner there many a time. Mmmmm, their macaroni & cheese, herbed french fries, and margarita pizza are delicious.

Warm happy feelings of contentment began to flood my brain, and I strolled inside. I searched the menu, no french fries, no mac & cheese, and no margarita pizza's. They did have other pizza's but at $10 a piece, I decided that it was a little to steep for my tastes. Instead I went for the Chinese oh, excuse me, I meant to write, "Chinoise Chicken Salad" for $9.99. Yes, it was just as expensive as the pizza, but it had yummy chicken on it, and was a little healthier besides.



I'm not a fan of Vasa water, it tastes kind-of funny to me, so I grabbed a Vitamin Water.

Let's take a closer look.


This baby cost me $3.24.

Considering that I can buy one of these for $1.15 on a good day, I'm thinking that they have a bit of a mark-up here at JFK what do you think?

It's now 2:49, and I need to go grab more $$$$ food, and head to my gate, so I'm off now. As I look out past the HSBC jetway at the overcast grey day and snow-covered ground, I have a little smile inside knowing that sunnier and more adventurous climes are only 28 hours away... yeah I wish that planes could go at warp speed too...

-Bitter