In a week, I'll be heading to the nearest airport (three hours away) and flying to Orlando. I'm not a frequent flier. I'm not a frequent traveler. I'm a homebody. :)
In 2007, I went to Dallas for my first RWA National Conference. I was so excited. My first conference, a trip by myself, and hey, our local (thirty minutes away) airport had a direct flight to Dallas. This was golden. This was kismet. This was meant to be, baby!
Then, two hours before the flight was scheduled to leave, I walked through the front doors of the tiny airport in my snazzy "Look- I'm a successful adult traveling to a conference" outfit, dragging my luggage across the worn carpet.
The ladies behind the lone counter stared at me. Impressed did not exactly jump to mind. Confused was more like it.
"Can we help you?" they inquired, the implied message being "What the heck is going on here?"
"I'm here for the 4pm flight to Dallas."
They stared at each other a moment, quite long enough for my stomach to fall to my toes. "Ma'am, there's no flight to Dallas."
Me, with a crumpled paper in hand, "But here's my confirmation. I printed it off."
"Ma'am, that airline closed their service here last week. We have no flights to Dallas. We can get you to Kansas City tomorrow."
Me, luggage abandoned, dreams shattered. "Um, no. No thank you." I drug my bags back to the car, dumped them in the trunk, dialed my husband, and explained that the airline was gone.
Now for the record, I did manage a 6am flight the next morning from Kansas City to Dallas, had a great time, and made it safely home. But it was yet another reason I prefer to snuggle up at home. Only the thought of connecting with all my on-line friends and listening to the amazing lineup of speakers in Orlando is getting me on that plane next week.
So are you a big traveler? Looking forward to your vacation? Any adventures you want to share? And please come visit me at Romance Roundtable on Tuesday, July 20th if you have the time.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Hi Gillian,
WOW! I applaud your courage in getting on a plane the next day. I'm afraid I would have taken it as a sign I wasn't supposed to go - and then would have missed the whole fun experience.
I'm pretty much a homebody these days too. I get caught up in the excitement and make plans, but then as the day draws near, I wonder why I committed myself. Invariably I have a wonderful time, so I'm trying to overcome the homebody instinct.
I'm not making it to Orlando this year (DD1 is starting grad school and DD2 is in college - 'nuf said?), but I am looking forward to RWA'11 in NYC. Maybe I'll see you there.
Have fun in Orlando and good luck with the GH!
Hi Mary! Yup, my first instinct was to tell my husband, "This isn't meant to be. I'm going home to the kids." He just ignored me and booked another plane ticket. :)
That's a good husband, Gillian!
I hate flying. HATE IT. Pretty sure it is only the sheer force of my panic keeping the plane aloft. If I could have figured out a way to take a train, I would have. And since we have the GH retreat so soon after my flight gets in...no wine or medication on the flight. I'll be the wild-eyed girl in the back of the room, rocking back and forth and mumbling to myself.
Otherwise, I plan to have an OUTSTANDING time.
Hi Gillian,
Wow - good for you for getting another flight after that. Going to Orlando will be my first plane trip in almost ten years. Last time I forced myself on a plane was for my sister's wedding in Vegas. It has to be something very special for me to fly. See you in Orlando. :)
Best,
Elizabeth
Erica and Elizabeth, it sounds like we should all be flying together. :) Thanks for stopping by.
Post a Comment