Travel Blues

Did you ever go on a trip that just didn't go right despite good planning? Well, my trip to three cities this summer has to be documented. It's taken me awhile to get my sense of humor back sufficiently to write this, but here goes.

 This was a complicated voyage: three cities in ten days. This trip was complicated by the fact that I had a bulky leg brace and crutches to bring along and I couldn't stand for long periods without intense zapping pain coursing through my feet. So already it's complicated. But, Stu helped me get to Minneapolis to see David's opera. We whizzed through both airports, me in a wheel chair. So the first leg went pretty well. Minneapolis however is healthy town and after Stu went home, I went with cousin Caroline on two fairly intense kayaking adventures and a ten mile bike ride. Half way through the bike ride I became nauseous and dizzy and had to lay on the ground. I sent Caroline off to finish her ride and I coasted and dribbled my way back. Dehydration from the kayak adventure maybe.

 A few days later Sarah showed up and we had, along with David, a lovely visit. Ok so that went well except for the almost dying on the bike ride part. Off Sarah and I go to LA for Deb and Ricky's wedding. Needless to say, the LA segment was not smooth. When we arrived, my suitcase was no where to be seen. After watching the luggage carousel go round and round for a half hour we finally were told that the suitcase had been delivered to another building. Because of the luggage issue, we missed our assigned shuttle to,the hotel, finally leaving the airport an hour or so after we arrived. But we managed to get thorough the rest of the day unscathed, except for our inability to find the out of towner picnic and being dropped off in the waste disposal area of the park. But, so what! We made it. 

The wedding was lovely. Sarah looked beautiful in her pink dress and yellow shawl. Had a great time, despite arriving a little late and not being able to sit with immediate family. But ok. It was nice. Next morning we waited and waited for our shuttle to arrive. The hotel was chaotic and very busy. While waiting for the shuttle, we got an email from the airline that our flight was cancelled. We needed to get to the airport to work on the arrangements because the flight they rebooked us on only went to Minneapolis and not to Philadelphia. So we grabbed a cab to the airport because, after waiting for half an hour for the shuttle we realized it wasn't coming. Finally on the cab we get another message that we've been rebooked on a direct flight to Philadelphia. We sighed with relief. Just have to get to the airport.

 On the highway, suddenly, the cabbie says " oh no. Uh oh." These are not words we want to hear. Turns out the cab is electric and for some reason lost power. The cabbie moves to the side of the highway. Cars are whizzing by. We are standing still. Finally, with a rum rum rum, the car starts up again spontaneously and we are off. However a few minutes later, we are back on the side of the road in uh oh mode. Back on track we finally made it to the airport.

 Due to the wheel chair for me, we were whisked to the gate. Direct flight due in about an hour earlier than the original flight. We get on. I sigh with relief. Then, of course we sat on the runway for an hour, the child behind me kicked my seat all the way, and a child two rows ahead cried, shouted, sang, and generally disturbed everyone for the entire flight. Shaken and exhausted, we drove immediately to an excellent Chinese food place and had a terrific meal. Sat back. What a trip.