What A Difference A Plane Makes

To me, there's almost nothing more exciting than a plane. My family events are always in driving distance, and I went to a college in driving distance as well. Most planes I took growing up carried me to distant lands promising new experiences, conditioning me early in life to become giddy upon boarding an otherwise unbearable, claustrophobic cabin. 

Yet, flying through the air stops just shy of sorcery, as far as I'm concerned. How else can you wake up on a gray day--when it's 28 degrees and snowing--and then watch a movie and take a nap only to emerge from your slumber to find its 80 degrees, sunny, and so incredibly blue.

It's magic, pure and simple. Welcome to Punta Cana.