I did it. I was staring at an expensive bottle of champagne the other day. 

No way was I gonna spend a $100 on a bottle. Ide rather get it in France where it will probably be cheaper and the view 1000 times better.  As soon as I got home, I jumped on the computer looking at rates to France,  then damn it the rates for the first week in September were over $1400. I wanted to choke considering how I usually don’t pay more than $600-$650 going to Europe by checking Momondo, Skyscanner and Hopper.

But it’s Labor day weekend and airlines know it. Pay through the nose you fools.

So I opted for the week after labor day weekend. September 5th. I got it for $700 roundtrip. I’ll leave after work as usual, fly that night, arrive the next day, and get right to it. No napping, just land, find a bistro, drink some bubbly and find a Frenchmen. Woops did I just write that?

I’ll be about 3.8 days on the ground before flying back, landing and going straight to work thanks to no vacation  time.

I even carry my work clothes with me, change in the airport and go. People think I’m crazy, but Ive been doing it for years to maximize limited vacation time. And I don’t take stimulants either.

So I picked Toulouse France. Ive never seen this city and hear it’s quite beautiful,  and it’s a two-hour train ride to some of the other cities in the south, which look beautiful too.

It’s tough not living in Spain anymore when I could get to almost any European country in less than two hours and under $100 round trip. But now I have to cough up the dough and fly 14 hours in economy class with my knees up to my chin.

So I say to myself, suck it up butter cup and take aspirin to prevent blood clots since you can’t afford first class to stretch out.

Now it’s time to find a hotel and figure out the logistics. And while my trigger finger is warmed up,  I’m looking at the possibility of going somewhere else for Thanksgiving.

They say Finland has the happiest people in the world. But it’s also one of the most expensive cities in Europe.

Maybe going there would adjust my attitude between trips. But in November I might freeze my ass off  besides spending a mint. Hmm I’ll have to rethink that.

So here I come France; save the  escargot, champagne, and a handsome Frenchman wrapped in a toasty baguette for me.  I’ll be there soon.. Now I’m really getting hungry.

Wish me luck on another trip booked before the end of the week.

Somewhere in Texas

Dreaming of champagne and escargot

Oui Oui to me

Here’s to letting your fingers do the walking and tripping on the “book it” button.