Summer was the busy season, and for some reason I flew a lot during September and October as well. I really missed sitting around base, and I missed my friends! I wanted to spend time with Courtney McDonald, so we decided to visit the Carolinas Aviation Museum where they house the Airbus 320 (A320) plane that went down in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. 
There was a video to watch, and we both quietly shed a few tears. I honestly had no idea the magnitude of skill and quick thinking that was performed by Captain Sullenberger. I’ve always taken for granted that planes can land in the water, but with incorrect calculations, planes could be torn apart upon impact! Of course, the “miracle” was that there was not a single fatality!
Mariquitas with Avocado Dip
After enjoying some aviation history, we had lunch at A Piece of Havana – a delicious Cuban restaurant in Charlotte, NC (CLT). My goodness!!! I forgot how tasty it was there! Courtney immediately ordered an appetizer called Mariquitas with Avocado Dip, which is basically plantain chips dipped in THE best “guacamole” I’ve ever had!!! If that wasn’t tantalizing my taste buds enough, I had the Vaca Frita which is crispy shredded beef topped with sautéed onions and homemade chimichurri sauce. The 2 side items I chose were Fried Yuca and Yellow Rice with Mixed Vegetables. They accidentally graced me with the added Cuban Style Green Beans that I ordinarily would not have ordered, but I will next time! The food was so good that I nearly wept tears of sheer dining joy!
If you’re ever in the mood for Cuban food and are in the CLT area, make sure you stop by A Piece of Havana. You might cry, too! 🙂
http://www.apieceofhavana.com/index.html
Vaca Frita
Yellow Rice with Mixed Vegetables
Crew Chew 