...always pack clean undergarments in your carry on. At least for international travel.
About three hours into our transatlantic flight last night, I noticed a scurfuffle. Word spread throughout the cabins: a man was legit having a heart attack on the plane. And, just like in the movies...there was a doctor on board. A doctor with scrubs! My sleepy mind drank in the awesomeness. The plane turned around, mid-ocean, and headed for Boston, the closest US airport + hospital...docked at 3am and immediately medics took the stable gentleman off the plane.
Finally, after two hours of tarmac-sitting, we got word that we couldn't continue on to Kuwait. So, we'd return to Washington DC...and get on a special flight sometime the following evening.
Yep. Halfway across the ocean and then back to the US.
The following few hours were one giant traveler's mess...we were told our flight wouldn't leave for 16 hours. At Hour 25 of my nonstop travels...the point at which I was unable to locate my sweet, sweet checked baggage full of clean clothes...I may have slumped in a chair and cried into my hands. I knew crying wasn't brave or going to help, nor was this a particularly appropriate time to fall apart. But I just couldn't keep it in anymore.
Eventually, I gave up on my baggage + vouchers and headed to the hotel Gabe had sweetly booked. And let me tell you: that was the most amazing shower I've ever taken. Not to get too saucy, but I crawled into that bed in my fresh undergarments and fell asleep for six beautiful hours.
rumpled clothes: check. sense of adventure: double check.
Long story short: thankfully, I'd tucked undergarments + toiletries in my carry on bag. (Shout out to my raspberry Kelly Moore camera bag, which has plenty of space for such things.) But, I am still wearing the same outfit I donned over 40 hours ago...and I can't sugarcoat it. I am gross.
All that to say: welcome to Groundhogs Day, folks. Tonight I really leave for Kuwait...
...provided no one decides to have a major medical emergency onboard this 747. ;)
Gaaah! Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly this time...
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could get bumped up to first class for your ordeal?
Bah, what a crazy ordeal! And such a fantastic idea for the underwear. I couldn't even imagine!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the rest of your trip. If anything, you'll at least have a great story to tell!
ReplyDeletePraying for a great flight to kuwait...again :) Glad you at least got a few hours sleep and that your sweet husband booked a nice hotel for you :) I'm glad that man on the plane was okay too :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so crazy! I almost can't believe it. What an adventure!
ReplyDeleteAnd yet you still manage to take beautiful photos and write a great story!
ReplyDeleteOh man that would have been a pain in the neck. Hope you have a safe and uneventful flight this time round!
ReplyDeletewhat a crazy story! definitely a lesson for me. never have i packed underwear in my carryon bag. definitely will for my big trip in two weeks! hope the rest of your trip goes smoothly. :)
ReplyDeletehannah
You may feel gross, but you look adorable in this picture! And SO sweet of Gabe to book you that hotel room. I think it's only natural that you cried. I would have! Think of all the stress you're under; you are moving from your home to a new country! Do NOT underestimate the emotional stress of moving countries - I should know!! I think you're hella strong!
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness - what a nightmare! I'm glad the man is well, but so sorry you had to go through that. When you want to start the next adventure, you just want to go off and START. complications are frustrating. but, yes, clean undies make everything better :)
ReplyDeleteI think you're proving that you are brave. That's a lot to deal with on your own, in an unfamiliar place. We're so close to DC (1 1/2 hours away). I kind of wish we could have just met up and I could have drive you around the city for your delay.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely fair to cry over that. Of course, the heart attack was well worth turning around for, but it must be so frustrating to be so close to Gabe only to have to turn around again.
Best wishes for the next leg of your journey.
Oh, and I'm impressed that you used the word scurfuffle. ;)
despite the crazy i'm sure you still look adorable like in the photo :)
ReplyDeleteDid anyone stand up and say "Is there a Doctor in the house...uhh plain?!" That would have made my life.
ReplyDeleteYou look great though! Best of luck on the rest of your travels.
ReplyDeleteHoly potatoes bethany! Very sweet of Gabe. Hope you get there soon xxxx
ReplyDelete1. You are a superstar. Moving is so so so so hard. Moving across the ocean? six times harder. Sometimes you have to sit at the airport and cry. (Hell, I'm moving right now and I cried to the mattress deliverers the other day... not proud of that exactly... anyway, cries happen, moving on).
ReplyDelete2. Transit is the worst. So many little things that can go wrong. You've got a great attitude though, and you're doing an awesome job.
3. BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS, YOU ARE PROBABLY IN KUWAIT! WOOHOOO! ADVENTURES! explore EVERYTHING. this is once-in-a-lifetime.
much love from rhode island,
clara
Oh my, poor you! I would have cried, too! Hope everything runs perfectly from now on!
ReplyDeleteOMG I cant believe that happened to you. When I traveled to Japan to visit my parents stationed there I never experienced anything like that...but you have to admit its a juicy story to tell! I am so excited to read more about your experience overseas. Being a military child I lived a lot of different places and traveled a lot so I can feel for you...take care!
ReplyDeleteMan - it is trips like this that are the reason my carry on is often as heavy as my checked luggage. Nothing like getting stuck a time or two to make you pack a couple of days extra clothes and other supplies.
ReplyDelete