After four weeks of vacilating whether we should go or not, Marc and I finally decided to push through with the trip to the Balkans (Slovenia, Croatia, Republika Srpska, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Serbia) we had planned a year earlier.

I had not been feeling well the past four weeks and I thought I was really sick. After undergoing tests which included a blood test, a 24 Hour EKG, an MRI as well as a treadmill test, I got a clear bill of health.

This time around, Marc and I walked to the Powell Bart Station and took the train to the airport. It was quite peaceful, smooth, and actually pleasant compared to taking a cab or even the shuttle not to mention a lot less costly.

For this trip to Vienna, our gateway city to the Balkans, we flew on United to Frankfurt then Lufthansa to Vienna. Both flights were smooth and devoid of turbulence.

Our UNITED flight was no different from all the UNITED flights we had taken before. UNITED was as always UNITED. No complaints here. The flight attendants were quick, efficient, kind, and senior. I do appreciate the US carriers' employment of senior members of their staff to man their international flights. More power to you all. Show all Asian, Middle Eastern, and a few other European airlines that flight attendants need not be all so young, hip, and slim to do an excellent job aboard any flight.

Surprisingly, our lunch was delicious despite the lack of any option whatsoever. On this flight, we were served what was available and that was a chicken dish which turned out to be quite delicious.

The shocker, actually, not anymore for me was the very paltry breakfast.

The plane was the two deck 747 jet. I was surprised to find out that the seats didn't have the personal entertainment units all modern airlines had.