We had been planning this adventure to Tanzania with Marius and Dani du Preez for nearly 3 years. The time was finally here to make our way to Africa! We had secured frequent flyer tickets months ago....all that was left was to get on the plane and get there!
Well,
every adventure has it's bumps along the way. This time it's getting
out of the US. It was a rough weather day from the start and we left
home extra early. Good thing we did since the thruway was flooded and
we had to find our way through cow country to make it to Newark.
Phew...we finally made it 5 hours after we started, but with time to
spare.
So,
we decided to wait and eat on the airplane....then off to the gate.
The flight was to take off at 7:15 PM. Great, should be fed and asleep
by 9! Not!! The departure time began to slip and slip. OK, 8:35 PM
boarding time...better late than never. We boarded the plane and we
waited, and waited. The pilot came on and said that there was a
maintenance issue with the plane and they were waiting for a part. Time
ticked by and he was back to say they brought a Continental part not a
United part....all in all four hours elapsed before he announced that
we all had to leave the plane because the crew had timed out!
Into
the chaos we went....off the plane and directly to customer service
while calling United on my phone. We got a very nice agent who said oh
dear...the flight from Istanbul tomorrow has already cancelled! The
only way I can get you in is via Paris and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!!!
And, I can't get you there until Monday PM via 2 overnight flights. She
said, "I'm sorry, it's the only way in". Ouch - take it!
We
stood in line and got a hotel and meal vouchers! Great - the Double
Tree. Once we got to the hotel it was 11:45 PM and room service had
just closed along with the gift shop....no sleep shirt, no dinner. Take
out here we come...estimated to arrive at 12:30 AM.
OK,
time to be sure the flights got booked right....I log into United to
find they rebooked us coach for the two overnight flights....I don't
think so! We had business class
tickets. So - on hold for 50 minutes and counting and praying! The
second two flights are on Ethiopian Air. Yikes!
Eureka!!
Confirmed business class! Now we will have a day in Paris...so will
try to see if we can see some sights. Will also work out how to get to
Ruaha without inconveniencing Dani and Marius too much more!! 1:30 AM and it's way past time to sleep.
Truly yours from Newark NJ!
Cheri & John
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