This sabbatical (which doesn’t officially start until May 1st, for anyone talking to my current employer) comes with quite a learning curve. FIRST lesson – do NOT casually volunteer to meet your mother in a foreign country. Don’t get me wrong – I am looking forward to my upcoming trip to Ireland, I just didn’t expect it to immediately follow my trip to Hong Kong [I know, I know…cry me-and-my-fabulous-life a river. The trip to HK is for Rita's work (score!), so I could hardly decline...]
And by “immediately follow” I mean “Can I book a one-way ticket from Hong Kong to Belfast, please.” [THAT ought to get me on a few TSA watch lists.] That’s right – this particular trip involves Every. Single. Time. Zone in the world. I am pointing my unemployed ass in a generally westward direction and not stopping until I hit Hilldale Road again. At one sick moment, I was looking at possible Ireland to San Diego itineraries thinking “yeah – but it’s only an 11-hour flight, that’s no biggie”. The half-day mark has become my new definition of long-haul. 11 hours in a single seat. They better park the Miller Lite cart by seat 12D.
At one point, I found myself arguing for a good twenty minutes with the booking agent about my HK to London reservation # HKD3390 before she was able to explain that HKD3390 was the price – $3390 Hong Kong Dollars. [I’m hoping that translates to a buck fifty in US dollars]. That’s when Nicola thought she should step in. It’s a good thing too, because I had almost booked the trip on Air China [free Google service??] whose reward miles can be redeemed for lead-based paint. My platinum level concierge, of course, found me a complete itinerary on airlines I have actually heard of. San Diego to LA. LA to Hong Kong. Hong Kong to London. London to Derry. Derry to Dublin. Dublin to Chicago. Chicago to San Diego. It involves 5 different airlines, mind you – but none are operated by third world countries.
She also found me a $23 flight from London to Ireland. $23! [Should I be worried if the plane leaves from the greyhound terminal?] I have a funny feeling my suitcase is going to cost $175 to check.
That’s right, I am going 47,000 miles, 8 different times zones, 5 trips through customs and not one single destination that doesn’t speak English. =)
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3 comments:
You're really very funny. You made my night :) Thanks for that.
I think the $23 flight involves some employees named "Helen, Me, and Melanie."
I personally liked the review I found on line that said the landing in Derry was a bit like being shot down. :) Good luck with that $23 flight.
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