We stayed up way too late the last night and had a hard time getting moving in the morning. It didn’t really matter as the snow blanketed everything and was still coming down. We played Nintendo, goofed around, did laundry and lounged about as Ash did not have to work due to snow. Eventually it was time to go, my flight had been delayed from 3 until 4:40 but there was concern it may not go at all.
Ash shoveled while I finished packing and then we were off
her little Yaris does really well in the snow even though it gets blown around pretty easily in the wind. We got me checked in with the knowledge I wasn’t getting out of Toronto until 8 am and was told I was on my own when I got there, a hotel would be at my own expense.
We had a bite to eat in the airport diner where Ash choked on a chunk of chicken bone in her wrap. It was scary but she survived. I finally had to go through security as my seat was to be assigned at the Gate. I had tears leaving my girl as we had made such an adventure together. Sure do love the Nexus line though and once I got through we texted while waiting as she didn’t want to leave until she was sure we were going. They announced that those of us who missed connections would in fact have a hotel, shuttle and meal voucher provided. The clerk in the convenience store near my Gate asked if I was okay and I welled up again when I said I just said goodbye to my kid. She was so sweet and shared a similar experience with her daughter working in Fort Mac. We finally boarded as it was getting dark.
When I got my boarding pass I realized why they paged me as Marneel.
We boarded and sat, waited for de-icing and began to wonder if we were going at all.
finally took off at 6:30 or so. I crocheted and watched programs on the seat back. Love the ability to see where we are any point too
We landed just before 10 pm and were told to go to customer service as I needed the next stage boarding pass and hotel info. I was behind a man in the line up who was also going to Van and he was familiar with what to do so said to stick with him. His name was Greg, same as my brother thus easy to remember. He was such a gentleman looking after my luggage etc. we were given shuttle vouchers and told to wait outside at pole S-5. It was -10 with windchill to -19 and many waiting huddled. Ray, a young man from NL getting his Masters at SFU was also going to the Quality Inn. After many calls and nearly an hour and a half (I was shivering and going in and out to warm a bit) Greg, Ray and I decided to go get a taxi on the upper level. It was $34 but so worth it to get out of the cold. The hotel was far away and it was 11:50 by the time we got in. They had kept the cook so we all ordered our food and had a beverage at the bar chatting with Dominic as we waited.
The room was less than special, peeling paint ceiling in bathroom and yucky grout. Two double beds…. Well that didn’t matter as there wasn’t much time for sleep before heading back on a 6:30 shuttle.
There was a bag breakfast waiting for us of a bagel, banana and juice. Cold again but not as bad when we didn’t have to stand around in it. Ray and I got our bags checked, we all went through security (I was 9 minutes faster with my Nexus) and then straight on the plane. Once again we sat for an hour and I still hadn’t had a coffee! The seats looked nice but were dreadfully uncomfortable for me
The gentleman on my right didn’t speak English and was traveling to Hong Kong. He spilled his orange juice on my jacket but it needs a wash anyway. He was very embarrassed. When we finally deplaned I helped him to find his Gate as it wasn’t on his pass. Said goodbye to the guys with hugs all around and then gathered my bags and out to wait for Mom to pick me up. By this point it had been 25 hours from drop off to pick up! Am all discombobulated with the time change again too.
Mom drove me to pick up the glasses I ordered before I left
The strangest thing that occurred was to my tote which was supposed to be in the fragile oversized load but came down the chute with the rest. It had Arabic style writing on it that was not there when I dropped it off..
triumphgal 