April 15, 2008
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The Disasterous Trip to Chicago and A Wonderful Wedding
Well, I am home from Chicago and grateful my trip back was pretty uneventful although I did have to rush from one connection to another. I actually went 8 hours without a cigarette and really didn’t care. I just wanted to get to the next plane heading for home.
When I left for Chicago, it was a wonderful, sunny and warm day here in Alabama. I knew, however, that I was heading into cold weather. I got on my SouthWest flight to Atlanta that lasted about 45 minutes. When I got to Atlanta I had to take the train to another terminal but that was fine. I got there in plenty of time and was grateful to sit down and rest. I really wanted a smoke but it was not close to my gate so I just sat there and crocheted. The plane was late arriving so our flight was delayed. As a result, I knew deep in my heart that I would lose the next connection I had to make (which ended up being a flight to Iowa and THEN making my connection to Chicago.
It was a real mishmash due to so many of American Airlines flights being canceled. Little did I know what awaited me when I arrived in St. Louis. I had missed my connection to Iowa (for which I was thankful later on) and my flight to Chicago was CANCELED. I almost cried. In fact, being perfectly honest, I DID cry because there was no plane that would get me into Chicago available on any other airlines either. I could wait around on a standby basis if I wanted but they said there were so many people that had to be shuffled to other airlines that they really didn’t have any hope for a seat being available.
I envisioned me trying to sleep in the airport because the only flight they could put me on was at 6am and even that was on American Airlines. I was assured that the plane was not one of the ones being taken out of service for maintenance.
THEN….they gave me a voucher for the Marriott Hotel located directly across from the airport AND $15. worth of food vouchers. The hotel had a bus that picked up passengers from the airport so I got onto it and headed for the hotel and a place I could lay down. By this time, my back was flaring up and I needed to take my pain pills (they were packed in my bag) and lay down for a bit until they kicked in. I also had to contact my sisters in Chicago so they could cancel the
limo that my sister, Bee, had arranged to pick me up. I had called her earlier because of the one plane being late and having to make that extra jump to Iowa so I wasn’t sure at that time exactly when I would get to Chicago. NOW I had to let her know that I was stuck in St. Louis for the night and would (hopefully) be arriving early in the morning the next day.Since I had so many problems just getting to St. Louis, I really hadn’t had time to let anyone know just how frustrating and exhausting it was. After checking into the hotel and finding my room, I called both my sister Bee and the Beast. The Beast was horrified and worried that I might have problems the next morning but I told him that I had high hopes that it would be alright. My sisters were both relieved that I wasn’t *lost in space* and that I at least had a comfortable bed to sleep in instead of trying to sleep in those damn plastic chairs at the airport. I then took my pain pills and laid down for about 15 minutes.
I was starving so I headed to the Bar & Grill in the hotel, thinking I would just order something to take back to the room. I envisioned getting into my warm pj’s and hitting the sack, watching TV until I got sleepy. Laying in bed watching TV always makes me sleepy. It’s like listening to the caller on Pogo’s Bingo Luau. His voice always makes me tired for some reason. I keep the sound OFF until after the Beast goes to bed and THEN turn it on to get ME ready for bed. It might seem strange but, hey, it works.
When I walked into the Bar & Grill, I encountered lots of people I recognized from the airport and decided to sit down at the bar, have a drink and listen to their tales of woe. I sat down next to two gals from Minnesota who were afraid that they might not even be able to get home the next day because Minneapolis/St. Paul was being hit by a blizzard or something. I told them that most airports have equipment ready for clearing runways so, as long as the storm had ended, I was sure they would get home. We talked for about an hour and they invited me to share their appetizer which was something wonderful with lots of cheese and lobster meat. We also bought rounds for each other. I finally relaxed enough to order my dinner (to go) and head back to my room. I wanted to eat, shower and get to bed by 9pm since I had to be up by 4am to make sure I was at the airport early enough to beat someone to death if my plane was canceled again.
The Marriott, by the way, was wonderful and comfortable. The staff was gracious and helpful. They also had compassion for all of us that were there due to American Airlines maintenance problems. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I did spend there and the bed was extremely comfortable.
To make this long story short, I got into Chicago (finally) and called the limo number so they could pick me up. I was so happy to get to my sister’s house that I can’t begin to tell you. I was also glad I had a day to rest before Gallant’s wedding. I parked my broom on her front porch and got comfortable.
She had made some of her chicken soup which I enjoyed for lunch along with some wonderful French bread. I really miss the bread in Chicago. We haven’t found any good bread here in Alabama yet unless we hit the Publix on the way to Huntsville. However, it’s a 35 minute ride to get there so we only stop in when we have to go to Huntsville for something.
This entry has become rather long so I think I will tell you all about Gallant’s wedding tomorrow. I WILL say this much….it was a truly nice wedding and an enjoyable reception afterwards. From the location (close to the church) to the food, everything was wonderful. More tomorrow.
Love you all and hope you have as nice a day as we are having. It’s sunny and expected to hit somewhere in the 60′s today. Don’t forget to tell your loved ones that you DO love them. Do it now and often.
