Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before ~
Edgar Allan Poe
Happy Halloween!
Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before ~
Edgar Allan Poe
Wednesday October 27th, 2010
Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not ~
Walter Bagehot
I know 台灣 is awesome but ...
... typhoon, you have overstayed your visit! There hasn't been much movement from 9:30pm last night until 2:00pm today. Yet another day of being drenched. It doesn't look as though things will be much different tomorrow. 很麻煩 ...
Typhoon 梅姬 ...
Wet, wet, wet. The wind seems to be picking up as the night goes on. There have been heavy rainstorms since Monday. I don't have anywhere else to hang more clothes to dry. Quickly disperse, 梅姬 ... haven't you caused enough damage already?
The journey home ...
Back on the plane and preparing myself for the trip, it wasn't long before I realized we had been sitting there for quite some time. We were told the navigation system was malfunctioning and asked to deplane. One lady was working to reschedule the whole plane. About thirty of us were headed to Japan and we were told the plane would leave at 11am allowing us to make the connection.
(Transit time: 5 hours ... still in Vegas)
10:50am, still waiting at the gate with no word of boarding. We were invited on another flight heading to L.A. which departed at 11:15am ... our flight to Japan was scheduled to leave at 12:20. We were told the plane would wait for us so not to worry. I was off the plane at 12:20 and making a mad dash for the gate when I was told not to bother. The plane had gone on without us.
For the second time that day, I found myself at the AA service counter. Once again, one girl to help the thirty of us stranded in L.A. Twenty minutes later another agent finally came to help. I had been given a boarding pass with Singapore Air which left 30 minutes later. I was told Singapore Air closes the gate ten minutes before the flight so I best run and get my bag and then go over to departures and check in. Not having the ability to run didn't make this task easy but I was determined to get on that flight.
(Transit time: 9 hours ... still in L.A.)
Now would be a good time to ask if I'm going to fly with American Airlines again?! The flight was twelve hours to Japan. Due to the delay, I was required to go through customs in Japan, get my bag and then go back to departures to recheck my bag. Time was tight but I managed to catch the flight to TW. Exhaustion was setting in as it was the middle of the morning for me.
(Total transit time: 29 hours)
I was happy to be home and even more happy to crawl into bed for a long night of sleep ...
(Transit time: 5 hours ... still in Vegas)
10:50am, still waiting at the gate with no word of boarding. We were invited on another flight heading to L.A. which departed at 11:15am ... our flight to Japan was scheduled to leave at 12:20. We were told the plane would wait for us so not to worry. I was off the plane at 12:20 and making a mad dash for the gate when I was told not to bother. The plane had gone on without us.
For the second time that day, I found myself at the AA service counter. Once again, one girl to help the thirty of us stranded in L.A. Twenty minutes later another agent finally came to help. I had been given a boarding pass with Singapore Air which left 30 minutes later. I was told Singapore Air closes the gate ten minutes before the flight so I best run and get my bag and then go over to departures and check in. Not having the ability to run didn't make this task easy but I was determined to get on that flight.
(Transit time: 9 hours ... still in L.A.)
Now would be a good time to ask if I'm going to fly with American Airlines again?! The flight was twelve hours to Japan. Due to the delay, I was required to go through customs in Japan, get my bag and then go back to departures to recheck my bag. Time was tight but I managed to catch the flight to TW. Exhaustion was setting in as it was the middle of the morning for me.
(Total transit time: 29 hours)
I was happy to be home and even more happy to crawl into bed for a long night of sleep ...
Las Vegas - Day Four ...
Monday I wanted to sleep in but was up at 8am. It was my last day in Vegas with so much to do and not nearly enough time. I spent part of my day at the old Vegas strip which would have been much better during the evening. Beggars can't be choosers. We stopped at the Stratosphere on the way home for a view and some rides. The big thundercloud above was a bit unfortunate as we weren't allowed outside. Safety first, damnit.
I got home just in time to leave for dinner with my family. The restaurant, I was told, was called "Hole in the Wall". It was so, SO good! After dinner, it was time to say goodbye to my mom and grandma along with many other family members. It was teary as there are no set plans to when I might see them again.
I headed off to watch the dancing fountains in front of the Bellagio. The song, "Time to Say Goodbye", by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. I could hardly talk after it ended. It's one of my favorite songs and was much too appropriate for the occasion. It ended my time in Vegas ever so perfectly although the night was not over.
I rushed home to find my dad and my brother. I promised to meet them for drinks but was running an hour behind which seemed to be the norm during my short stay. A few of us went to NYNY for a drink before retiring for the night ... it was well after midnight and I had a 5:45am wakeup call ...
Las Vegas - Day Three ...
Sunday, once again, started early with a big family breakfast. I've not seen most of my family in over four years, so it was quite the reunion! Breakfast went fast and I had a few hours before the wedding with nothing to wear. I headed off in search of some clothes which was the last thing I wanted to be doing. I hit two different shops and lucked out at both finding exactly what I needed. It was a big relief as I was running behind as it was.
The wedding was beautiful and I was so thankful to be there. The ceremony was perfect. The dinner, delicious. The company, too good to describe in one word. It was over much too quickly ...
Las Vegas - Day Two ...
Saturday started at 8am and went well into the late evening with no time for rest in between. A few of us spent a chunk of the day walking the strip. The size of some of the hotels amazed me. One has to wonder if they are ever fully booked. After the strip, it was home to shower and then off to the pre-wedding dinner at an all-you-eat buffet. Dessert was the best part as it contained a lot of yummy goodness not available in TW. Jetlag hadn't caught up with me yet which was a good thing ... tomorrow was scheduled to be another BIG day!
Las Vegas - Day One ...
If I were to use one word to describe my time in Vegas, it would have to be 'whirlwind'. I hopped a taxi at 6am on October 1st for the 23-hour journey over. My flight was booked with American Airlines and it wasn't overly impressive for many reasons. I arrived in Vegas tired and disoriented. My family was in the driveway of the hotel waiting for me which meant no sleep. I only had three full days in Vegas anyway, so not a moment was to be wasted.
Day one consisted of drinks with parents and aunts and uncles and a quick dinner at the biggest "Hooters" I've ever seen. Then it was off to Brother J's bachelor party for more drinks. The day consisted of me being whisked away destination after destination not being fully aware of what was going on! I retired early that night! The hotel room bed absolutely deserves mention as it was SO soft and comfortable. I sunk in for the only good night sleep I got during my time there ...
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)