Trip 2012---Part 1

Trip to Guatemala
(this is gonna be kinda lengthy so get some chips and a drink and a comfy chair...)

October 16th 2012  Tuesday. About 4:30 A.M.

Yesterday was spent packing madly, trying to figure out what I was taking, then trying to get everything into the back-packs. I would be taking one with me to VA, and the other one would be coming out with some friends of mine who were driving out at a later date.  

At 2:00 this morning my alarms (plural) rang...I promptly shut them off and went to sleep again.
At 3:00, Dad came and made me get out of bed.  So about 3 hours, a cup of coffee, and a bottle of orange juice later we were at the MSP airport.....and I needed to USE IT!!!

I unfortunately had no time for the simple pleasures of life and rushed...or tried to rush, through security.  When I got through to the 'inside', I had to run to get to my gate in time. when I got to the gate they were already boarding.   Since all I had was a back-pack and a purse (both packed beyond average copasity) I was able to cut line and walk right in.  :-)    The isle was relatively packed and it took a bit before I was able to get to my seat.    My back-pack, of course, was to big to fit under the seat and all the over heads were full so I just put it on the floor in front of me and put my feet on it.

After everyone had their seats and they'd shut the door, the blasted over the intercom saying that all electronics had to be completely off.

Then we taxied, and taxied and....well, it seemed like the pilot had lost his way or something.  When he finally got himself straightened out and found the runway, we had taxied for over 10 min.   THEN they announced, rather loudly, that they had taken on to much fuel, so we had to sit there at the end of the runway to 'burn off the extra fuel'.


"Huray, hurray! I'm on my way! My 'summer' vacation starts today!"     I'm up in the air drinking coke, chewing gum and laughing at my horrible handwriting.

6:00 A.M.

OOPS! COKE.....BAD IDEA!  I needed something though...I was feeling a bit sick.   But you know me, I would rather wait for 3 hours than use an airplane bathroom.  And they don't call them bathrooms either!  'Lavoratory'.   They make it sound like some Scientific research facility.   Who would wanna pee in one of those anyway???   Yeah, you tell me and we'll both know.

6:45---to the best of my knowledge

I broke down. I used the 'Lavoratory'.  What can I say? I needed to GO! BAD!

I had a layover in Philadelphia.   Thankfully it wan't a very short  one, I had time to walk around a bit and use a REAL, clean...ish bathroom.

On the flight from Phili to Baltimore I flew in one of the oldest airplanes that American Airlines owns and still operates.   I sat next to an English Gentleman near the back of the plane.   I found it quite interesting that when we started talking, I would catch myself using and English accent. :-)    
 Oh yea, By the way, from where I was sitting I could see a warning label on the landing gear compartment.  It said "WARNING!  Hydraulics may operate...."     Hmm.....it kinda makes ya wonder, don't it?


I got to Baltimore a bit early than they'd thought we would....YAY! (isn't it usually the other way around?...Delayed...?)   Anyway I got my stuff and went inside.

Now this next part is a bit embarrassing for me  but you have to remember that I'd never flown into and airport of this size before.

I came inside and I thought that my Grandparents were going to meet me at the gate.... apparently not.  I waited around 3 hours and had used up all of my quarters trying to call home on those stupid pay-phones...nobody would answer.   GR!!!

Anyway, they finally gave Granddaddy a pass so that he could come and find me.

That is all I'm gonna put for now.  More later.........  TKM