We were excited to go to "The South" (a.k.a. The Deep South). That expression originated during the American Civil War of 1861 because southern states didn't want to invest in any infrastructure besides slaves, and they detested The North for its industries. So, the nation was divided in half via the Mason Dixon Line, and citizens killed each other. The South lost. However, Florida has so many "Northern" traits and residents (Disney World, homeowners from the Midwest, and retirees from NYC) that Southerners don't include it anymore. It also lacks Southern Cooking: a historical mix of rich recipes from Native American, French Cajun, West African, Spanish, and British heritage. Nonetheless, we were interested to travel there.
Traveling through America is far less pleasant than venturing through Europe or Asia. Arriving at La Guardia Airport, you are reminded why American Vice President, Joe Biden, called it "resembling a third world country". Years after that public remark, the Port Authority--which controls the city's airports--has sluggishly conceded to only a few cosmetic changes. It's been done with the same arrogant speed of a mobster looking down on a pesky yet persistent federal agent... but done with our own tax dollars, after consuming decades of profits from our other tax dollars AND airline ticket sales.
Surprisingly, Delta Airlines was more affordable than JetBlue, so we chose it. For the last 20 years, the "legacy" airlines of the USA remain far behind foreign ones, in terms of service, comfort, efficiency, and fleets.
Just as we left my apartment, Delta texted Lewis to say that La Guardia Airport was falling behind schedule in flight departures. The usual reasons are because its neglected size is inadequate for the ever-growing quantity of flights, and its antiquated air traffic control equipment from the 1970s). However, that day, the official reason was due to the weather: "an act of God". American airports and airlines love blaming their incompetence on the weather. A mere drizzle is used to absolve them of blame about their behind-schedule operations that chronically plaque the nation--especially NYC. When poorly maintained infrastructure finally crumbles (because tax money was syphoned away), they blame it on the weather/storms. By blaming "an act of God", nobody is accountable or responsible for it.
In truth, the weather in New York was as picture-perfect as it was in Florida. La Guardia claimed that they were backed up because of rain falling in Virginia. All the flights--across the nation--that needed to arrive in La Guardia were delayed... as usual. (It's amazing how so many other airports are impacted by delays routinely happening at La Guardia. It's a testament to the powerful resources of the corrupt Port Authority to resist fixing the problem for 40 years. Too bad they don't use those resources to make it the nation's best airport, instead of pocketing the revenue).
Yes, the airport's Delta terminal had some newer seats, but only 25% of them had electrical outlets or charging stations. That is woefully behind the rest of the modern world. Embarrassing for NYC (and unchanged for the last 40 years), there were people sitting on the floor (seen in my photo below), as delayed flyers suffered from inadequate seating. Knowing of its ongoing failures, the airport should have enough seats for its capacity, but it doesn't care... and that's also why it condones annual delays. Other airports only run out of seats when there is something like a hurricane. But in NYC, it happens each month because of NYC's ineptitude. That is unforgivingly inconsiderate for its customers!
In addition, I often wondered why air travel hasn't progressed in speed/ability, since the 1970s? The Concorde was a leap forward... yet it was suddenly dismantled under the unbelievable claim that it wasn't profitable. So, the world is stuck with flight speeds equivalent to the 1970s, and America is the only country with train speeds that haven't improved since the 1940s.
An elderly man approached Lewis and I, asking us to participate in a customer satisfaction survey for the airport. The 15-page survey asked about the road signs, the pavement, the parking facility, our demographics, advertising throughout the airport, how long our security checkpoint took, and many questions about the retail stores & eateries in the airport. It never asked about the seating, nor did it ask about comfort of the terminal. It never asked about the efficiency of our departure. That is a devilishly way to hide facts and say that people "responded with contentment".
Looking at Delta's poster, above, I realized how little sense that made. It only cares about First Class passengers. Meanwhile, such passengers wouldn't see that poster, because their Empire Lounge was far away from our waiting area.
Surprisingly, Delta Airlines was more affordable than JetBlue, so we chose it. For the last 20 years, the "legacy" airlines of the USA remain far behind foreign ones, in terms of service, comfort, efficiency, and fleets.
Just as we left my apartment, Delta texted Lewis to say that La Guardia Airport was falling behind schedule in flight departures. The usual reasons are because its neglected size is inadequate for the ever-growing quantity of flights, and its antiquated air traffic control equipment from the 1970s). However, that day, the official reason was due to the weather: "an act of God". American airports and airlines love blaming their incompetence on the weather. A mere drizzle is used to absolve them of blame about their behind-schedule operations that chronically plaque the nation--especially NYC. When poorly maintained infrastructure finally crumbles (because tax money was syphoned away), they blame it on the weather/storms. By blaming "an act of God", nobody is accountable or responsible for it.
In truth, the weather in New York was as picture-perfect as it was in Florida. La Guardia claimed that they were backed up because of rain falling in Virginia. All the flights--across the nation--that needed to arrive in La Guardia were delayed... as usual. (It's amazing how so many other airports are impacted by delays routinely happening at La Guardia. It's a testament to the powerful resources of the corrupt Port Authority to resist fixing the problem for 40 years. Too bad they don't use those resources to make it the nation's best airport, instead of pocketing the revenue).
Yes, the airport's Delta terminal had some newer seats, but only 25% of them had electrical outlets or charging stations. That is woefully behind the rest of the modern world. Embarrassing for NYC (and unchanged for the last 40 years), there were people sitting on the floor (seen in my photo below), as delayed flyers suffered from inadequate seating. Knowing of its ongoing failures, the airport should have enough seats for its capacity, but it doesn't care... and that's also why it condones annual delays. Other airports only run out of seats when there is something like a hurricane. But in NYC, it happens each month because of NYC's ineptitude. That is unforgivingly inconsiderate for its customers!
In addition, I often wondered why air travel hasn't progressed in speed/ability, since the 1970s? The Concorde was a leap forward... yet it was suddenly dismantled under the unbelievable claim that it wasn't profitable. So, the world is stuck with flight speeds equivalent to the 1970s, and America is the only country with train speeds that haven't improved since the 1940s.
An elderly man approached Lewis and I, asking us to participate in a customer satisfaction survey for the airport. The 15-page survey asked about the road signs, the pavement, the parking facility, our demographics, advertising throughout the airport, how long our security checkpoint took, and many questions about the retail stores & eateries in the airport. It never asked about the seating, nor did it ask about comfort of the terminal. It never asked about the efficiency of our departure. That is a devilishly way to hide facts and say that people "responded with contentment".
Looking at Delta's poster, above, I realized how little sense that made. It only cares about First Class passengers. Meanwhile, such passengers wouldn't see that poster, because their Empire Lounge was far away from our waiting area.
Two hours later, our jet took off.
We landed in the City of Fort Lauderdale in time to admire a gorgeous sunset... which coincidentally seems to be on the city's emblem. As an oceanside city, its waterways earned it the nickname "Venice of America".
Ft. Lauderdale is the capital of Broward County and has a population of 182,000. As a coastal city, it's on the east part of Florida's peninsula, facing the Atlantic Ocean. It's part of the Miami metropolitan area, which encompasses six million people. It is named for Major William Lauderdale, born in 1782, who built forts there for the Second Seminole War of 1835. Embarrassingly for America, it was another fight against innocent Native Americans. At that time, the USA was angry at Spain for receiving Florida from England, which it wanted. So, General Andrew Jackson (later an American president) invaded and made it American property. In its historically characteristic style, the next thing America did was eradicate the natives: the Seminole tribes. Defeated and corralled onto a Reservation, they lived peacefully until more Americans demanded that land, too. Guess what happened. Nowadays, few residents regard the original Native American presence; they only know of the Spanish one.
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That riles up emotions from other Americans.
It is also world-famous for yachting...
Despite the expensive neighborhood, the airport was lackluster. (Ultra-rich residents rely on private airports).
Ft. Lauderdale is the capital of Broward County and has a population of 182,000. As a coastal city, it's on the east part of Florida's peninsula, facing the Atlantic Ocean. It's part of the Miami metropolitan area, which encompasses six million people. It is named for Major William Lauderdale, born in 1782, who built forts there for the Second Seminole War of 1835. Embarrassingly for America, it was another fight against innocent Native Americans. At that time, the USA was angry at Spain for receiving Florida from England, which it wanted. So, General Andrew Jackson (later an American president) invaded and made it American property. In its historically characteristic style, the next thing America did was eradicate the natives: the Seminole tribes. Defeated and corralled onto a Reservation, they lived peacefully until more Americans demanded that land, too. Guess what happened. Nowadays, few residents regard the original Native American presence; they only know of the Spanish one.
Centuries ago, Florida was part of the Spanish Empire. In 1513, it was named by a conquistador named Juan Ponce de León, on behalf of the Crown of Spain.
*To see our beautiful trip to Spain, please use this link:
For 20 years, it was controlled by Great Britain, until the end of the American Revolution, when it reverted back to Spain. It was left behind when Napoleon Bonaparte took the Spanish territories that became America's Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Little by little, (future president) Andrew Jackson and the fledgling United States stole pieces of it and took the whole thing in 1821. They promptly decreed the Indian Removal Act and annihilated its indigenous Native Americans. They replaced them with the slave trade from Africa and the Caribbean. By 1860, 45% of Florida's population was enslaved to Americans. Despite a civil war, federal correctives against racism, and a global shift towards equality, parts of Florida still cling to Confederate inclinations that are based on racist White Supremacy. Defiantly, those people still use the Confederate flag (of an unrecognized nation that never existed but was intent to preserve slavery).
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That riles up emotions from other Americans.
Nonetheless, Florida is known as a destination for Puerto Ricans, Latin Americans, Disney World tourists, underpaid sugarcane laborers, citrus growers, hi-rise developers, and out-of-state retirees (many from NY). Despite the quantity of retired NYC police officers who have homes there, Florida uncaringly hosts notorious underage drinking, illegal immigrants, and Spring Break vacations that are full of sexual harassment.
It is also world-famous for yachting...
...and endangered wildlife wetlands.
Due to overdevelopment, some of the wildlife--especially alligators--are compelled into residential neighborhoods.
Nonetheless, Florida is considered a safe place, which is why those partying kids and elderly retirees gather there.
Despite the expensive neighborhood, the airport was lackluster. (Ultra-rich residents rely on private airports).
We stayed with our friend, Yvonne, who picked us up at the airport and scooted us through typical American traffic to a Creole/Filipino restaurant for dinner.
It's named "Hot & Soul".
Sipping sangria and their grapefruit/ginger cocktails, we started with fork-tender veal/pork meatballs and crispy garlic bread...
...then had trigger fish over summertime veggie salad, as well as oxtail over rice & beans, and prawns in gumbo broth. Each plate had distinct and tantalizing flavors! Delish!
Arriving at Yvonne's gated condominium, Lewis and I met her 4-year-old female dog named Dumpling. She and Lewis bonded instantly. Before the animal shelter had her, Dumpling came from an abusive owner, so she is very quiet and craves affection. Join us in the next part to see more!
Sipping sangria and their grapefruit/ginger cocktails, we started with fork-tender veal/pork meatballs and crispy garlic bread...
...then had trigger fish over summertime veggie salad, as well as oxtail over rice & beans, and prawns in gumbo broth. Each plate had distinct and tantalizing flavors! Delish!
Arriving at Yvonne's gated condominium, Lewis and I met her 4-year-old female dog named Dumpling. She and Lewis bonded instantly. Before the animal shelter had her, Dumpling came from an abusive owner, so she is very quiet and craves affection. Join us in the next part to see more!
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