Terry has been in San Jose, California this past week...below is an e-mail I got the first day...it's a hoot.
Why is it that more often than not the beginning of a trip is so hectic and disorgainized? Especialy if you fly. I have never got out of an airport without something happening....even when picking someone up....
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Got to the airport one hour before takeoff only to find out the flight (all flights!) had been cancelled.
The weather, you see.
I'm not only travelling with Nicholas, but, his grandparents came along as well (for a mini-vacation in San Jose).
I told them not to stand in line to get information or we'd miss any alternate flights. THEY DON'T LISTEN.
I called reservations and our flight had been re-booked automatically.
I told the grandparents.
THEY DON'T LISTEN.
Finally, got through to them and it was a mad dash to the other end of the terminal to barely make the new flight.
I was sweating like a hog, panting like a dog and (fill in your own cliche' metaphor).....
Got on board.....sat down......
I was sandwiched in between two other people in a center seat (of 3).
The takeoff was delayed.The weather.
Sat on the runway for THREE F-ING HOURS!!!!
Lovely.
I was hungry and thirsty.
They sold me a $3 cookie. Mmmmmmm cooookie.
Finally, we got the go ahead to take off.
There were only 60 flights in line ahead of us. Swell.
Took off and had to land in San Diego.
Now the real obstacles began!
Went through the same gathering information by standing on line charade. Found out where rescheduled new flight was. Had to convince the grandparents not to wait for the luggage (automatically forwarded to the new flight, so they say.)
Not enough room for all 4 of us on the next flight....maybe....but...if we run we just m-i-g-h-t luck out.
I was elected to run (naturally.)
To make a long story short (is that possible?) I got us all on the same flight.
So, we could relax and eat before takeoff. Right?
We purchased food at the Sand Diego Airport and I was just getting ready to eat when our LAST CALL was announced!
You guessed it.
Mad dash, etc.
Got on the flight to San Jose. A narrow tube of a jet. More leg room (thank Zeus) and I got to sit next to my son.
Uneventful flight.
Landed in San Juan. Yeaaaaaaah!
Now the fun begins.
We had to find out:
1.Where the luggage is
2.Where the rental car place is
Convince the grandparents.
Not easy.
I got directions: Go outside that door and take the red bus.
Grandfather insisted (INSISTED) we walk the length of the terminal, crossover to the next building and walk back and cross the street to within inches of where we started!! (I had carry on luggage all this time. I never check luggage on a plane.)
We got on the shuttle and arrived at the Rental Car place.
National Car Rental was the only kiosk WITHOUT an attendant.
Half an hour passes. A man arrives who CANNOT SPEAK ENGLISH.
Another half hour passes. A new man arrives to speak to the first man and the new man DOES speak English.
However......he DOESN'T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE of the first attendant!
Dear Lord in heaven...is this the end of Ricco??
Cut to the chase.
We get to choose whatever car that catches our fancy.
We choose a long, cool grey new car. (Later we discover the flourescent lights have distorted the perception of the car's paintjob. Turns out in natural light it is CHINESE RED!!!!
We drive to the luggage area.
The luggage didn't make the flight!
Yes. That's right.
We try and just leave to find the hotel.
We get lost.
Then, we get loster and lostest and find ourselves back at the airport. (The grandparents have been fighting over the map all this time!)
The cellphone rings. The luggae has arrived!!
We go back and pick it up and try again for the airport.
Lost again.
Loster again. Lostest...
I take over (at wit's end) and we find the hotel.
Nobody on duty.
Finally get the room keys.
Can't find the frickin room! I'm not kidding. Room 430 is NOT between 429 and 431...nooooooooo....that would be too logical.
We DID find it after the grandfather goes into a hysterical laughing fit and collapses in the hallway.
Cut to the end of the long chase.
12 hours start to finish!
Good part:
The hotel is gorgeous.
The city is beautiful.
My son was in an incredible mood (happy, elated, positive) the entire ordeal!! I wasn't.
We got up at 6:30 this morning and took a long walk around part of the city.
Beautiful, precious architecture and clear, fresh, cool air.
Envigorating!
Our official part of the trip begins in one hour.
I'm in the lobby of the hotel typing this on one of the many free computers provided.
I'm happier than I've been in a long long long time.
I'm HOME!
Terry