The Joy of Travel

Sunday, 2 January, 2005

3:30 a.m. PST (Pacific Standard Time)

Wake up to Dad's voice and incessant beeping of my alarm clock. Oh, and a tickly throat.

3:45 a.m.

Dad yells through the bathroom door for me to save some hot water. I yell back, "I'm almost done!!"

3:48

Shower finished--head to bedroom for a blow-dry and to dress. Realize that the tickle in my throat is a full-sized cold looming on the horizon.

4:05

Scoop up Millie, kiss her fur, and ask Dad to take a picture.

4:07

Quietly wipe away a few tears in the kitchen while Millie explores the top of the refridgerator.

4:12

Get in car, buckle up, set off for SeaTac.

6:05

Arrive at SeaTac International and silently muse that it is a good thing they didn't name it TacSea. Quietly chuckle at own bad joke.

6:08

Wait in long line of cars at departure drop-off area.

6:13

Climb out of car, shrug into large backpack.

6:15

Join line at United Airlines check in counter, behind annoying guy who is kicking most of his belongings along in front of him.

6:28

Check in with friendly United employee, recieve boarding pass and story of an American family who lived in China, came home for a visit, and checked in with a large box full of Jiffy Peanut Butter because they don't have Jiffy in China.

6:33

After using the ladies, head to Starbucks with Mom and Dad for hot chocolate and a banana-chocolate chip muffin.

7:05

Hug proud but tearful parents and promise to call from San Francisco. Struggle not to cry.

7:09

Stand in line for security checkpoint in front of smart-looking young Marine. Continue with struggle not to cry.

7:13

Almost lose control of emotions when overhearing proud Marine Mom crying and saying, "We love you!!" to Marine behind me.

7:18

Finally get to security check-point. Overhear the lady behind the man who is scrutinizing my X-rayed bag say, "That's a piccolo!" Uh...that's 8 times the size of a piccolo, and I call it a clarinet. Oh well...no questions asked, retrieve bag and purse and coat.

7:22

Finally arrive at gate N15. Find nearest ladies' and dive into end stall to have a wee and a good bawl. Bury face in toilet paper and feel glad I decided against wearing eye makeup.

7:25

Leave stall. Take deep breath for fortification. Wash hands.

7:26

Go to souvenir shop. Buy Seattle sweatshirt, postcard, keyring with Megan on it, and tylenol. Buy cute "Miss You" card for Mom and Dad and stamps.

7:28

Fill out card and drop in nearby Post Office collection box.

7:35

Boarding starts.

7:41

Arrive at seat 23C. Stow bag in overhead, put purse under seat. Sit down, buckle up, and wait.

8:05

Scheduled departure time. Pilot informs us that San Fran has "weather" and we cannot leave just yet.

8:35

Finally take off.

8:50

"Fasten seat belt" sign turns off. Hop out of seat to run to lavatory. No more hot chocolate!!

9:45

Have to wee again. Go to lavatory.

9:55

Plane starts its descent. Seat belt sign comes on. Have to wee again...

10:03

Have to wee really bad.

10:05

Make a promise to God to be a better person if only I don't wet myself when the plane sets down.

10:11

Plane touches down. God answers my prayer.

10:22

Plane reaches terminal. Relief is near!

10:24

Head flight attendant announces that the plane is going to be towed to the jetway/terminal. "Please stay seated."

10:25

Bite lip to keep from crying when plane stops but seat belt sign stays lit.

10:26

Flight attendant announces that towing vehicle does not have enough "oomph" to get the plane in. Need another towing vehicle to "get us in that last 6 or so feet." Try to decide whether to bawl like a baby or laugh hysterically. Decide both would frighten fellow passengers. Instead, concentrate on not creating a puddle.

10:31

Seat belt sign comes off. Jump up, dash to lavatory (thankfully only two rows back).

10:32

Slam door shut. Thank God and say a few Hail Mary's (though not Catholic).

10:34

Emerge from lavatory a new woman.

10:40

Retrieve carry-on, walk off plane.

11:00

Heft one 30-pound backpack and one 56-pound suitcase off of luggage carousel. Pull it all aside and start loading myself up. Head off towards AirTrain to get to the Internatinoal Terminal.

11:05

Arrive at International Terminal

11:12

Finally find phone. Call Mom and Dad. Struggle to hold back tears when Daddy says, "We miss you." Chat with Mom. Promise to call when I get home to Burnham-on-Crouch.

11:15

Haul suitcase and other luggage to nearby food court. Buy extremely pricey (but yummy) Chinese food and a Coke. Start thinking about how many visits to the loo one Coke will require. Decide next flight is long enough. Start drinking.

11:17

Settle in with Kung Pao chicken, fried rice, Coke, and Snoopy notebook.

12:20

Here I am.

12:22

Check-in starts in 20-odd minutes. Better find Virgin Atlantic counter. Then a ladies room...


Note: times are approximate, but all other details are true. No small children were knocked over in mad dashes to the ladies'. More soon.