Arrived at Last
Friday, October 12th; 2:30 pm London Time ... What an ordeal!
Our flight left DFW on time and although mostly full it wasn't too uncomfortable. As we were approaching NYC the captain told us that there were bad thunderstorms in the city and the landing would be bumpy. Well, it was and I was terrified!!! And then it got smooth again but I noticed we weren't on the ground. About half way through the landing we hit wind shear so they aborted the landing and were diverting us to a different airport ..... IN PHILADELPHIA. Yeah. I KNOW!
So we spent about 2 hours in Philly waiting for the weather to clear up in NYC so we could land. They let us off the plane for a bit and we got some food - thank goodness cuz we were starved. Then we finally got the go ahead to take off and away we went.
Our flight out of NYC to London was supposed to leave at 8:01 pm and we arrived in NYC at a little after 7 pm. So you'd think it would be OK right? Wrong! Since we were changing airlines and a bunch of other jazz we had to go and reclaim our checked bags and then take a train to the international terminal and by the time we got over there it was like 8:30 pm. They said the flight we were booked on was already closed but that they could put us on another flight leaving at 11:15 pm and it wasn't full at all so we said sure. We go through security and walk to the gate for our new flight. And they call the final boarding for our ORIGINAL FLIGHT! We totally could have made it but whatever. We were looking forward to the empty flight.
When we get to the gate area it is very crowded, we soon learn because of a different flight leaving from the adjoining gate going to Vancouver and then on to Hong Kong. Oh my goodness there were a TON of Chinese people on that flight. And more babies than I've ever seen at once in my life. None of whom were happy either. But I won't go on about that.
Finally it was our turn to board and there were seriously less than 40 people on the entire flight. On a 747. A HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE airplane. So, we each got our own whole entire row of seats. We were able to stretch out and lay down to sleep across the row and that made it a nicer flight. Soon, we were landing in London and met up with our friends - who we were supposed to meet up with in New York, but they actually caught the original flight we were booked on - but turns out they were delayed a long while and really only got into London about an hour before we did!!
We met up and got a train to Paddington Station and walked a few blocks to our hotel. When we arrived there was nobody at the front desk and the door was locked. Yikes! But after a little bit a girl showed up and we checked in and walked down what only can be described as a ladder, to our rooms in the basement. They are tiiiiiiiiiiiiny and weirdly laid out. I will take some pictures when I can.
We are about to get out and explore a bit now that we've showered and unpacked a few things ... I'll take pictures!!!
Til next time :)
Labels: vacation
