Re: ~ Picture #19 to Katie

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: God Katie, I have FINALLY met someone with WORSE luck than me!!!

: No wonder I like you so much :)

: Gnomie

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: : Ah, but WAIT A MOMENT, Miss Marcia!!  What I was too tired to write before, I shall just tell: 

: : At Chicago, I stand in line for absolutely AGES to collect my luggage (it was last on so of course, it's first to be loaded onto the luggage wagons, and then last put on the conveyor belt, isn't it!), as I was told and I ask an airport employee the way to the Sabena check in desk, doing just as I was told (this is happening in Terminal One, by the way)! And she told me - Sabena, that's the International Terminal, Terminal 5.  So hauling both those darn suitcases, I struggle up moving staircases, practically nose dive DOWN staircases with suitcases that wanna go down at THEIR speed! Traverse the length of that damned Airport - AND BEYOND, and take the little 'train' to Terminal 5.  I stand in line at the Sabena desk and, knowing things ain't EVER straight-forward for me, I proceed to grab one of those 'official's' that are directing folks trying to 'connect with other flights' and I ask 'is this where I check in with Sabena'.  Well, of COURSE IT'S NOT, IS IT!! Sabena don't work after 5:00pm dontcha know, so I have to check in with American Airlines instead.  OF COURSE!  How foolish of me!!!  Where's THAT, then???!!  Well, I can tell ya!!  It ain't in NO STEENKING TERMINAL FIVE!!!  It's in Terminal Three!!  And the time is ticking away and that plane waits for no person when it's got a take-off slot!!! 

: : So - I drag those damn bags to Terminal Three and check in American Airlines!  'Oooh maaan!' says the girl on the desk, 'you're ticket isn't right!'  I tell her how the lady in AA in Orlando SORTED IT ALL OUT FOR ME!! Oh no she DIDN'T, says this new person! She's connected you from Brussels to Glasgow on a flight you can't possibly make!' WHAAAAAAAAA!!!!! At this point, a rather helpful associate chimes in, 'I'll get something for ya'!' And he whizzes through his computer, all the while 'hmmmmming and haaaaaing'.  'O course, I'm ready to send for my furniture and and trying to work out how much rent I'll have to pay the Airport, 'cause it REALLY seems I'm gonna be living there for quite a loooong spell!! 

: : All of a sudden, this big, gentle giant of a man steps up, (who I presume is this other couple's 'senior') and says to me 'where's your ultimate destination, Miss' (I like 'Miss', I like this man!) and I answer Glasgow.  Well, says G.G. to his comrades, 'we got a plane taking off in 10 minutes for Glasgow.  Get this lady on it!' Oh but... her ticket is via Brussels says one. G.G. steps up to the computer and says 'do this *click, click, click* and do THIS *click, click* We messed her ticket, I'm saying she gets on this direct flight and we get her a BRAND NEW TICKET.' And looking at me, he says 'We're sending this lady home!' Oh but... says other 'junior', the baggage chute is closed and the aircraft doors are closing'...  Nope says G.G., *I'm* opening them again. Get that baggage on the belt. This lady is going home!  And he hands me the tickets and says 'it's down there, along the corridor, turn left... first star on the right and straight on till morning'! Go git yore plane!' So, once more I'm heading off for the other end of the terminal! 'Course I take it easy THIS time. CAUSE THEY'RE HOLDING THE PLANE JUST FOR ME!!!!  And finally feeling 'secure in the knowledge' I'm gittin' on that plane, I even have the cheek to stop to go to the bathroom!! (Well, it has been a TENSE time!) :o)  

: : When I get to the 'Gate' desk, the lady says to me 'now, just take your time, we've been waiting for you.' BUT - I GOT TOO DAMNED CONFIDENT, didn't I????  I get seated in that plane - and the pilot promptly announces that there is a scratch on one of the wings and the maintenance crew have to get in touch with Los Angeles to determine whether it can take off like that or should be fixed.  He'll be told in 10 minutes, after the inspection.  10 minutes later he reports - it has to be 'ground down' which will take about 1/2 hour!! But hey!!! I DON'T CARE!!!  I'm in 'a' plane and at some point, IT WILL BE HEADING FOR HOME!!! And in spite of the 3/4 hour delay, I get into Glasgow 1/2 hour earlier than the pilot reckoned!!
: : 'Ahhhh!!! All's well, that ends well.  'Course there was the hold up on the motorway because a truck ran into a car towing a horse box, the horse box is all dented to hell and the vet is in the field trying to examine the two horses that were in the box... They SEEM to be okay, I think as I pass. I arrived home at 2:16pm (not that I was clock watching or anything!)

: : They say travel broadens the mind. It can also drive you stir crazy!  Would I do it again, to attend another Gathering??  ARE YOU CRAZY, MAN????? OF COURSE I WOULD!!! ;o)  But if I HAVE TO go through all that again, I'd best make darn good use o' those 10 months left on my gym registration!! Okay, where's that damn swimsuit...

: : Best wishes all,
: : Kate.


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