Hi there! Pickle Deli Square is a collection of my experiences living, eating, and traveling the world. Currently an expat based in Valencia, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.
All in Trip Report
Omicron-era Trip Report: UA5499 SFO-SAN United First Class Embraer 175 (Skywest)
A short, thankfully delayed flight (so that I could make the connection).
Omicron-era Trip Report: United Club in the SFO Rotunda
A big upgrade in food offerings compared to pre-COVID times, with substantial, fresh choices. Very welcome after cutbacks in onboard catering.
Omicron-era Trip Report: UA858 PVG-ICN-SFO United Polaris Business Class, Boeing 777-300ER
A kind flight attendant showed pictures of each of the meal choices, but what to order when the choices are hard to get excited about?
Omicron-era Trip Report: United Check-in and Air China First Class Lounge at PVG
With the flight delayed about 3 hours 10 minutes, I had plenty of time to sample the food at the Air China First Class lounge.
COVID-times Trip Report: Air China PEK Business Class Lounge
Sparsely populated and sparse food offerings: a stark contrast to my last visit in 2019. PLUS, a big lesson in how to better take advantage of Priority Pass!
COVID-times Trip Report: Shuttling between SHA and PEK on Air China, 4 flights and 4 meal formats
Flying Air China in Economy Class back and forth between Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) and Beijing Capitol Airport (PEK) over the course of a month, the lack of standardization of meals was fascinating!
COVID-times Trip Report: CGK-SHA China Eastern Economy Class
Flying back to Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) from Chongqing’s (CKG) massive, modern airport.
Hotel Review: Marriott Chongqing
Traveling during the pandemic to Chongqing, and staying at the new Marriott Chongqing with beautiful views and tasty breakfasts.
COVID-times Trip Report: SHA-CGK Shanghai Airlines Economy Class
Flying from Shanghai Hongqiao airport (SHA) to Chongqing (CKG), with a few new procedures for the pandemic era - including yet another COVID test before traveling.
Shanghai Hotel Quarantine Diary: Day 14, Release Day!
The surprisingly quick process to get out of quarantine, and the long, disgusting road ahead with re-entering the apartment after nearly a year away. The main culprit: a dead rat and all of its poop.
Shanghai Hotel Quarantine Diary: Day 13
A special day celebrating with couple breakfast favorites and the luxurious surf-and-turf lunch. The dinner was one of the less special ones, though.
Shanghai Hotel Quarantine Diary: Day 12
Some new people move in across the hallway, and it feels a bit less lonely, a bit less like I’m the last person in the classroom to finish an exam!
Shanghai Hotel Quarantine Diary: Day 11
My favorite dinner of the quarantine hotel’s weekly rotation!
Shanghai Hotel Quarantine Diary: Day 10
Some interesting differences from last Sunday’s meals: different proportion of rice in the container, more tender mushrooms in the mushroom soup, and enjoying some dishes like the Hong Kong-style braised chicken feet a bit more.
Shanghai Hotel Quarantine Diary: Day 9
The first day of repeated meals, meaning reencounters with some old favorites, like this curried fish ball stuffed with crab meat.
Hotel Quarantine Life: Room Tour
How I’ve organized my life in a hotel room, and some packing tips for doing hotel quarantine.
Shanghai Hotel Quarantine Diary: Day 8
Another artistically beautiful soup, and a list of reasons why I’m actually grateful for hotel quarantine.
Shanghai Hotel Quarantine Diary: Day 7
New favorites (lunchtime black pepper beef) along with returning old favorites (millet cake), and a dud (corn).
Shanghai Hotel Quarantine Diary: Day 6
Surf-and-turf day! (Well, actually many days are surf-and-turf days, but today there were prawns and pork belly!)