The Unexpected Extension to our Trip
So, there we were sitting on our plane on the tarmac ready to be flown to Washington DC to get our flight to London. And we sat, and we sat to then be told that the toilets weren’t working and maintenance needed to sort it out. It would take “15 minutes”.
Three hours later we were still there and had missed our connecting flight to London. All connecting passengers were asked to leave the plane with carry-on bags and go to customer services. This we did. Once in line, the crew ran into the terminal shouting “get on the plane, it’s leaving!”. So, wanting to be on the same plane as our luggage, back we went.
We arrived in Washington and got in line to sort out getting home but knew then that it would be the next day. Lots of people were in the same situation for connecting flights to all sorts of places. The staff weren’t very helpful but we kept each other going and made new friends.
Sam and I being unimpressed! (You’ve got to do something to keep yourself occupied when you’re hanging around!)
After an hour and a half, we finally were given meal vouchers (too late - everything was closed and we hadn’t eaten for 6 hours) and a hotel voucher and were taken to the Hilton. By this time we and 20 others were ready for a bed even though we’d have a few hours, then would be back to the airport. We stood with our new found friends in the hotel lobby. After 45 minutes a member of staff informed us that they had no rooms! Ok, picture the scene - tired, very hungry, annoyed and irrational people filling the lobby of the Hilton at 2am having just been told that they had wasted their time - not pretty. Eventually they told us we could have some flood-damaged rooms as long as we didn’t use the water/toilet/shower. We would take anything!!
Our room was the nicest I’ve ever been in! Shame we couldn’t stay longer. 4 hours later we were on our way back to the airport. Our flight left -almost on time- this morning and now we’re home!! I’ve never appreciated home so much! I love the puddles and the clouds and the narrow roads and the people we live amongst. I belong here!
Despite the letter of complaint to United Airlines written in my head, our going-home experience has taught me lots. We got to interact with people we would never have spoken to. We shared an experience and looked out for each other, working together to make sure everyone was ok and got to where they needed to be. We empathised with the people around us and that led to meaningful conversations and a sense of closeness. I met a man who had been working in Bangkok and was on his way home, a couple who told us of their plans to emigrate to Arizona, a guy who hadn’t realised that he was so impatient til today, an elderly American couple who love the Royal Family, an Italian lady living in England who found out 2 weeks ago that she is pregnant and is mostly excited but quite terrified…… so many individuals with such diverse lives and different ways of reacting to events and amazing ways of looking out for strangers they’ve only known for hours. It reminded me of all that we’ve learnt and experienced this week about people, their differences, similarities and the closeness that a shared experience can bring… Maybe all that was worth being a day late for….
May 27th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
oh man, what a terrible experience. i’m so sorry. i miss you guys. i know i keep saying that but… it’s true.
May 27th, 2006 at 11:31 pm
I was stuck in that same exact Customer Service counter on the way to Brasil with a team of students last summer, when United overbooked our flight from DC to Sao Paulo. Not fun. But glad you made the best of it.
May 28th, 2006 at 12:06 am
Oh wow Rachel! I bet you won’t want to get out of bed for a day…or two! Glad you made it back safely!
May 28th, 2006 at 12:24 am
Crazy!! I know what it’s like to be wandering around while being tired and hungry… not fun… It’s nice to be home, isn’t it?
May 28th, 2006 at 12:24 am
Poor dears! I had a similar nightmare experience once flying home out of Heathrow, the day after the war in Iraq started. Crazy! Glad you both got back safe and sound.
-Mel
May 28th, 2006 at 2:24 am
Sam & Rachel sorry you had such a bad experience getting home. Don’t feel bad and alone, I had to sleep overnight at LAX. Read it on Shine.Voxtropolis. I guess the enemy was just upset and try to make it all for nought. But the conference was worthy it all. It was good meeting you in the lobby at the Hampton Inn.
May 28th, 2006 at 2:48 am
oh no, that sounds horrible. I’ve had a few similar experiences where things have gone from bad to completely ugly… but glad you made it out okay two made it out alive and well.
May 28th, 2006 at 2:59 am
Glad you made it home safely. Isn’t airline travel fun?
Peace,
Kristin
May 28th, 2006 at 3:22 am
That is crazy….I’m sure you all kept the party going….tapping into your Woo and all.
May 28th, 2006 at 4:11 am
Quite a downer….glad u r home @ last tho….
Sam your expression made me laugh…I think I saw that expression in person once when I questioned your pronunciation of the Queen’s english….
miss u guys already
dale
May 28th, 2006 at 4:21 am
Wow I thought our trip home was bad. Isn’t amazing how if we just have our eyes open in good and bad situations there will be always the need to connect with people. On our way home we ended up taking a couple and their baby to a hotel at 1 am in the morning. The thing was all this happened because our plan was 2 hours late. In the end it’s all worth it. Peace
May 28th, 2006 at 4:57 am
WOW that’s wild! I am glad you are home safe.
I miss you guys already.
It wont be long and we will be seeing you in England. (Not sure how or when but it wont be long…I can feel it!)
May 28th, 2006 at 5:13 am
Oh man…did they make you take your shoes off at the airport too?
At least you guys have a cool story you can tell now!
May 28th, 2006 at 9:18 am
We were laughing about you and missing you tonight in the Sharp household. Someone exclaimed, “Brilliant” to something, and I countered it with, “That’s a load of rubbish!” Normal words to both of us, but distinctly British when said in your accents
You are loved and missed… Glad you’re home safely. What a journey…
May 28th, 2006 at 3:24 pm
Thanks everyone! I’m sitting in our lounge feeling very glad to be here finally! It’s freezing outside but I’m sure we’ll toughen up again soon!
Niza - we’re missing you lots and everyone we met over the past 2 weeks. I’m so thankful for blogging..
Tina - you bet you’ll be here soon! We’ll find you a project in no time!
Staci - thanks for thinking of us - here’s to more good times to come!
Shannon - I’m glad your trip home was worth the delay. Praying for you.
Dale - we’re missing you and Jen. Praying for your next move..
Brandon - I certainly didn’t get off my Woo horse. I’ve put it in the stable now. Very tired!
May 28th, 2006 at 9:06 pm
Russ -we - well I - did have to take my shoes off…what’s that about?!
Dale - I trust that your pronunciation of the Queen’s english will be much improved when we next meet?!
May 29th, 2006 at 12:43 am
thanks for mande’s blog address… muah!
May 29th, 2006 at 6:46 pm
Rachel,
I thought you might want some info on Aspen trees to inform your Super-Name. Sp here ya go:
Aspen Facts:
Aspens are pioneer plants — fast growing and regenerates after disasters.
Some trees are self pruning — they drop twigs during fall foliage.
Young trees first flower in the second or third year.
Reproduction is almost always by the roots sprouts — clones.
The thin bark makes the tree susceptible to disease and insects.
Maximum age for a single western Aspen is around 150 years — clones can be thousands of years old.
Over grazing by cattle in an area can destroy a stand of aspen.
Aspens can be a good firebreak.
Aspen roots have the ability of living underground even after the trees has died.
Scientists have recorded 60 different types of insects feeding on aspen.
Here is a link to some photos. The first picture is where my wife (Kris)grew up.
http://www.dramainnature.com/picture%20of%20fall%20trees%20and%20pond%20poster.htm
I’m glad you guys got home and are happy to be there. I belong in the desert - you belong in the shire. Isn’t God cool.
rick
May 30th, 2006 at 4:49 am
Rachel,
Sorry about the bummer trip home. It was so cool to meet you and Sam in the IMN experience. God’s got great things in store for you guys in Sheffield. I envy your (and Rick’s) sense of belonging. We’ve not found that yet, but I know that what I learned in LA will help a ton in getting us there. What a week….
Conrad
May 30th, 2006 at 5:11 am
I don’t feel nearly as bad about my train being six hours late now. It was great meeting the two of you this past week. Glad your home, eriq
May 30th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
rachel…….sorry to hear all that…….looking forward to hearing about what your pub nights bring you and sam……..miss you……thanks for listening……
May 31st, 2006 at 7:20 pm
Sorry to hear that your trip went so poorly.