Greetings from my lovely suite in Orlando, Florida!

Awhile ago, I moaned and groaned about winter and how it was sucking the life out of me. It’s true, and I can’t help it. Cold and slush and stormy weather just sucks the joy right out of my heart. It’s almost as bad as hearing how someone I respect loves Twilight.

In a fortunate twist of fate, I was contacted by the kind folks at Aeroplan and asked to participate in their annual “Welcome aboard” event, exclusive to Aeroplan members and CIBC Aero cardholders.

Thank you, Aeroplan. I was pretty close to jumping off the side of Signal Hill.

What it is: This year, Aeroplan members were invited to redeem their miles for an exclusive “all Aeroplan” flight from Montreal and Toronto to somewhere fun for spring break, like Orlando. To qualify for the Orlando flight, you had to be an Aeroplan member and CIBC cardholder.

So there I am in Montreal after getting only 2 hours of sleep and waiting to board my flight to Orlando, and then an orange carpet is rolled out. There are cute little families everywhere and I’m the only person who looks like I just crawled out of a cardboard box. My eyes are bloodshot and my hands are trembling.

ORANGE CARPET! Just as high class as red. Matches my hair colour.

When the Balnea Spa folks roll up with their portable massage chairs, I start getting excited. VIP treatment and a massage before boarding? Um, okay I guess. The masseuse situates me in the chair and tells me in her thick French accent that her name is “Sonya.” My face is entirely smooshed into the head holder thingy and all I can do is mumble, “I’m Candice.” Like she cares.

Heaven

I practically melt into the airplane once it’s boarding time, after chatting with various Aeroplan people and trying to grasp at any coherent thought bold enough to break through my sleepy haze. I’m given an executive class seat where service is so damned good that my fears of crashing in a fiery death are completely overridden by chocolate fudge cake and unlimited Heinekens.

Whip out your knitting needles in first class and order three beers, and suddenly everyone stares.

You know how travel bloggers always write those inspirational posts about how you have to live outside your comfort zone and do things that scare you? Luxury scares the crap out of me. I do not fit in, and I’m very aware of every single move I make. And yet I totally can’t help but be smug about looking like a homeless person in first class while all the others are stuck in economy.

Same goes for the hotel I’m in, at the Westin Imagine. They’ve given me a full freaking suite, with a kitchen and living room. I have a balcony overlooking the whole resort and people treat me like a queen. I eat alone at Fiorella’s Cucina Toscana and cannot figure out what to do with the pile of cheese on my plate. But man, that lobster ravioli is good.

Unfortunately, that’s where the fun stuff has ended, as Air Canada lost my suitcase and I still haven’t received it…over 24 hours later. I smell bad and people keep giving me funny looks. I was so tired last night, I crashed at 9 PM with the hopes of having my belongings this morning. Nope. I called Air Canada, and they told me this afternoon. Then they called and told me this evening.

It’s 8:30 and still no luggage.

This is the first time I’ve had trouble with Air Canada. Their customer service has been great to me, but I would REALLY like my stuff.

Ok, so there are worse places to be stuck.

Plus I bought all these cute sundresses.

But I swear I will not complain any further, and I will crawl into my king-sized luxury bed this evening with an upbeat attitude and positive thoughts. And failing that, I’ll just get really drunk tomorrow.

Disney World awaits!

*While my flight and accommodations were sponsored by Aeroplan, much of what I’ll be doing over the next couple of days is happening on my own dime. In the meantime, check out their Carbon Offset Program. It’s one of the reasons why I’m so happy to be working with them!