[Cyclefrance]

I seem to suffer the same both ways, but some say west to east is the worse direction.

East to West: a few years back, wife and I 'did' New York via Vigin Holidays, staying at the Radisson near the Licoln Centre. Arrived about 5.00 pm local time (10.00pm equivalent in UK), and, feeling fairly knackered, decided that we would sleep an hour or so and then go out for a meal. Hotel reception offered a choice of rooms one on the 10th and one on the fifth. Wife decided fifth (not so keen on lifts/elevators). Not a bad room but aircon was noisy. Unpacked, prepared for nap, turned down aircon - noise still loud. Hmmm? Noticed net curtain at window, so pulled it back to reveal two foot square trunking stretching entire height of hotel, being aircon duct for whole hotel and just outside our window! Phone reception. Chance room on 2nd floor. Even better from lift viewpoint. Moved by helpful porter to new room, clothes transported on rack to save re-packing. Tip accordingly. Nice room , no aircon noise. Settle down in bed, but can hear 'neighbours'. Two young college lads planning evening out - OK we can live with that for half an hour before they go. Plenty of talking. Can hear every word. Then, knock on their door. Door opened. Screams of delight. Friends have turned up. 'Hell, why should we go out?'(through wall)' Let's party here!!' Phone reception. Yes, 10th floor room is still. Porter arrives: 'Hey, didn't I just move you down here a short while ago?' Smile and explain. 10th floor. Nice room. No aircon noise. No colllege party. Great. Settle down for nap. Full jazz orchestra strikes up. Go to window. Great view over building next door to see (and hear) Lincoln Centre open air theatre just starting a three hour event Admit defeat. Prop open eyes and go out for something to eat...

West to east: Been on business trip and arrive at JFK very early (4.00pm) for AA 8.00pm flight. Any earlier flight? No! Kill time, but not easy as terminal in middle of makeover. No shops, just a snack-wagon (currently closed). 6.00pm arrives and place is filling up. Announcement. Flight delayed one hour. Technical fault. Very little space and passengers for 3 jumbo flights all squeezing in. 7.00pm. Further 30 minutes delay expected. 8.00pm. Flight now delayed to 10.30 pm. 9.00pm. Announce flight cancelled (too late now for crew to take flight as will exceed their permissible flying hours). Will fly us out in morning. Chaos. People going to weddings and other such stuff. Ground staff having tough time coping. I have open ticket so ask for transfer to another airline. Told to wait, while they arrange. 30 minutes later go to check progress. They forgot. Now no seats on any airline they say. Have to fly in morning. Not happy. Go outside for air. As last desperate measure phone company travel agent emergency number. They get me 1st Class seat on Virgin leaving at 11.00pm, but must rush to Delta terminal to check in (ten minutes left to gate closing). Arrive breathless at Virgin check-in. No one there. Mild panic, then find Virgin rep. Flight hasn't closed. Flight delayed. Technical fault. Oh, nooo!! Go to Virgin lounge. Watch TV. 1.00am. Announce take off scheduled for 2.30am. Phone home. Wife asks if I have landed in UK. Explain still in NY! More TV. 2.00 am. Board plane. Further delay getting take-off slot. Leave JFK at 3.00am. Land in UK 6.00am. Not many taxis. get home ventually at 8.00am just in time to take cat to breeders to 'do the business'. Wife asks if I want to go. Totally incapable of logical reason, say 'yes'. Collapse around 10.00am

See what I mean...

How about you? E to W, or W to E?