I woke up at 2:50 AM to catch my flight. I showered up, ate a little, then headed to the airport. The airport was only about 7 mins away and small so I figured the process of getting to my flight would be quick and easy at that early hour.
In calling the car rental place yesterday, I learned that I couldn't just drop off the car at the car rental office but had to park it in a very specific spot at the airport. They had me come to the rental office in person where they handed me the page of instructions and a prepaid parking pass to use the next day. So glad I called ahead to make sure everything would be smooth the next day.
The morning of departure I drove to the airport with the instructions in-hand. I mistakenly thought the directions for the drop off started once I got into the parking area, realizing my error as I drove around the parking lot unsure of where they wanted me to park.
After driving and walking around for what seemed like about 20 minutes, feeling like where they wanted me was in there somewhere, I asked a lady walking by that worked there about it. She said I needed the domestic terminal and that I was at the international one. So I hopped back in the car and followed what I thought she told me to do. But I found myself back at the international terminal. I now was down to 45 minutes before my flight departed and had used everything on the parking ticket they’d given me, so parking in the lot again would mean I’d have to pay for it myself. I didn't want to do this and wasn't sure I was in the right place anyway. So I found an Avis parking spot just outside the lot and parked there. My car was Apex.
Wanting to make sure I didn't create a bigger problem with the car companies or incur some kind of fee or fine I tried to quickly remedy the situation. I went up to a taxi cab that was sitting there to ask him about the parking and terminal. He was asleep. Or praying. As I headed towards the next cab I saw two guys standing around that had uniforms on. Maybe cab drivers? I explained my situation and they said that I could find an attendant inside that could likely help me out. So I headed in looking for this attendant. As I entered the terminal it hit me that I needed domestic, not international. My overall itinerary was international but not the first leg of the trip. I was in the wrong terminal. With time dripping away and my flight itinerary in serious jeopardy, I said, “God, I’m gone. I need help.” I walked in looking for someone who might be a receptionist or in "the know" but didn’t see anyone. I walked around a bit realizing I very likely could miss my flight. Then what? What would that do to the rest of my itinerary?
It was at that point that I heard someone say, “You look lost.” Somewhere in my mind I felt a little relieved to hear this, but mostly I was still focused on the not-so-great situation I was in. I babbled off a stream of words explaining my situation to a guy finishing his coffee with his colleague, half way through realizing this guy is likely not the one I need to talk to anyway. He was a shuttle driver on break. Not sure why he offered his help, but I'll be forever grateful for it. He mentioned that check-in closed in 5 mins, but that he was willing to give me a lift and maybe help me out, though, he stated that at this point it was a stretch.
I quickly climbed into the back of his shuttle and off we went to the domestic terminal. He dropped me off, and wished me luck as I profusely thank him, handing him my Aussie currency that I would no longer need. He brushed it off saying I didn’t need to do that but I explained I would no longer need it anyway. I've regretted not having a name or even the full company name to thank him again. I remember the word "Sun" in the shuttle company name and a Google search just now tells me it may be "Sun Palm Shuttle". Anyone reading this know anyone who works for that company? Maybe even a shuttle driver?
My running to the check-in counter told the lady behind the counter where I was headed to but she asked anyway. She wasn't happy when I confirmed how close I was cutting it but I couldn't help it. I briefly explained the delay but she wasn't in the mood for a story. They're all smiles until you show up late for your flight, my friends lol. She checked with someone then confirms she can let me onto that flight and that they can take my luggage. Lots of running and sweating after that. But I made it to my flight and made all my connections. Thanks to the God Who's guided this trip all along. And to a shuttle driver who saved my flight itinerary today. I wouldn't have made it without him.
On my last leg of the trip I sat between a younger guy and a younger girl. I'd thought they were together at first. Both kept to themselves. The girl never said a word and spent most of her time looking out the window. This would be a long, quiet flight. So it surprised me when, about an hour into the flight, she took out a piece of gum for herself and then, without saying anything, offered me a piece as well. It caught me off guard. I declined but then remembering I'd been traveling for about 20 hours at that point and that I hadn't brushed, so I accepted. Lily and I talked for the rest of the flight - several hours.
When my mom picked me up at the airport she handed me a green envelope with my keys in it. Taking the keys back in my hand had an interesting effect on me. It was weird. Like giving me my old life back. They reminded me of my old responsibilities and routines. I’d forgotten about those keys as I’d left them behind not needing them on the trip. It was like my responsibilities (and maybe stressors) were given back to me. I took a pic of them in my hand because of the impact they had on me.
What effect will the trip have on me? Will I walk to places more like I did so often on the trip? Before the trip I'd wanted to walk to places like the grocery store and restaurants more often but time was always a factor. At least that's how I felt. And will I be less rushed and stressed? Will I put more value on people, not waiting for events to happen but making them happen? And places I’ve wanted to see or explore like that great campground 45 minutes from my house, or the Eastern Shore - places that I never felt like I had the time or energy to get to - will I go now? I feel like I will.
Tomorrow is errand day. Need to get a much needed haircut, set my phone back up, do some laundry, go through mail, and maybe work on getting this computer fixed, or replacing it. Time to warm those keys back up.
In calling the car rental place yesterday, I learned that I couldn't just drop off the car at the car rental office but had to park it in a very specific spot at the airport. They had me come to the rental office in person where they handed me the page of instructions and a prepaid parking pass to use the next day. So glad I called ahead to make sure everything would be smooth the next day.
The morning of departure I drove to the airport with the instructions in-hand. I mistakenly thought the directions for the drop off started once I got into the parking area, realizing my error as I drove around the parking lot unsure of where they wanted me to park.
After driving and walking around for what seemed like about 20 minutes, feeling like where they wanted me was in there somewhere, I asked a lady walking by that worked there about it. She said I needed the domestic terminal and that I was at the international one. So I hopped back in the car and followed what I thought she told me to do. But I found myself back at the international terminal. I now was down to 45 minutes before my flight departed and had used everything on the parking ticket they’d given me, so parking in the lot again would mean I’d have to pay for it myself. I didn't want to do this and wasn't sure I was in the right place anyway. So I found an Avis parking spot just outside the lot and parked there. My car was Apex.
Wanting to make sure I didn't create a bigger problem with the car companies or incur some kind of fee or fine I tried to quickly remedy the situation. I went up to a taxi cab that was sitting there to ask him about the parking and terminal. He was asleep. Or praying. As I headed towards the next cab I saw two guys standing around that had uniforms on. Maybe cab drivers? I explained my situation and they said that I could find an attendant inside that could likely help me out. So I headed in looking for this attendant. As I entered the terminal it hit me that I needed domestic, not international. My overall itinerary was international but not the first leg of the trip. I was in the wrong terminal. With time dripping away and my flight itinerary in serious jeopardy, I said, “God, I’m gone. I need help.” I walked in looking for someone who might be a receptionist or in "the know" but didn’t see anyone. I walked around a bit realizing I very likely could miss my flight. Then what? What would that do to the rest of my itinerary?
It was at that point that I heard someone say, “You look lost.” Somewhere in my mind I felt a little relieved to hear this, but mostly I was still focused on the not-so-great situation I was in. I babbled off a stream of words explaining my situation to a guy finishing his coffee with his colleague, half way through realizing this guy is likely not the one I need to talk to anyway. He was a shuttle driver on break. Not sure why he offered his help, but I'll be forever grateful for it. He mentioned that check-in closed in 5 mins, but that he was willing to give me a lift and maybe help me out, though, he stated that at this point it was a stretch.
I quickly climbed into the back of his shuttle and off we went to the domestic terminal. He dropped me off, and wished me luck as I profusely thank him, handing him my Aussie currency that I would no longer need. He brushed it off saying I didn’t need to do that but I explained I would no longer need it anyway. I've regretted not having a name or even the full company name to thank him again. I remember the word "Sun" in the shuttle company name and a Google search just now tells me it may be "Sun Palm Shuttle". Anyone reading this know anyone who works for that company? Maybe even a shuttle driver?
My running to the check-in counter told the lady behind the counter where I was headed to but she asked anyway. She wasn't happy when I confirmed how close I was cutting it but I couldn't help it. I briefly explained the delay but she wasn't in the mood for a story. They're all smiles until you show up late for your flight, my friends lol. She checked with someone then confirms she can let me onto that flight and that they can take my luggage. Lots of running and sweating after that. But I made it to my flight and made all my connections. Thanks to the God Who's guided this trip all along. And to a shuttle driver who saved my flight itinerary today. I wouldn't have made it without him.
On my last leg of the trip I sat between a younger guy and a younger girl. I'd thought they were together at first. Both kept to themselves. The girl never said a word and spent most of her time looking out the window. This would be a long, quiet flight. So it surprised me when, about an hour into the flight, she took out a piece of gum for herself and then, without saying anything, offered me a piece as well. It caught me off guard. I declined but then remembering I'd been traveling for about 20 hours at that point and that I hadn't brushed, so I accepted. Lily and I talked for the rest of the flight - several hours.
When my mom picked me up at the airport she handed me a green envelope with my keys in it. Taking the keys back in my hand had an interesting effect on me. It was weird. Like giving me my old life back. They reminded me of my old responsibilities and routines. I’d forgotten about those keys as I’d left them behind not needing them on the trip. It was like my responsibilities (and maybe stressors) were given back to me. I took a pic of them in my hand because of the impact they had on me.
What effect will the trip have on me? Will I walk to places more like I did so often on the trip? Before the trip I'd wanted to walk to places like the grocery store and restaurants more often but time was always a factor. At least that's how I felt. And will I be less rushed and stressed? Will I put more value on people, not waiting for events to happen but making them happen? And places I’ve wanted to see or explore like that great campground 45 minutes from my house, or the Eastern Shore - places that I never felt like I had the time or energy to get to - will I go now? I feel like I will.
Tomorrow is errand day. Need to get a much needed haircut, set my phone back up, do some laundry, go through mail, and maybe work on getting this computer fixed, or replacing it. Time to warm those keys back up.