We're here, slept in a real bed last night and now camped out in a Costa Coffee using our 20minutes of wifi to write to you.
We last wrote from Chicago where we had learned that our Chicago->Manchester flight was delayed four hours. That meant we'd miss Manchester->Cork so they changed our itinerary to be Manchester->Dublin->Kerry which was OK'd by us since the Kerry airport is just as close if not closer to Killarney, and we could be picked up by my grandma here. Unfortunately, even though our itinerary was changed our tickets weren't properly booked and we ended up stuck in a transfer flights security/customs room for three hours while a nitwit named Alex repeatedly told us to call Expedia even though our phones didn't work in England, there were no phones in the room and we weren't allowed to leave the room. Thankfully, Luke rose from where he was sleeping, and shouted (well, a Luke shout), "We have to go to Ireland. We need your supervisor if you can't help." The supervisor was indeed brought and she was a dream come true. Took one cursory glance at Alex, said something like, "this is ridiculous" and immediately began calling places. She couldn't give us boarding passes there but snuck us through into the terminal and met us at our gate a couple hours later with them. Our luggage also had to be relabelled and she didn't personally manage that process which may have been part of why it is not here with us now.. Anyway we were in Manchester and I took a turn at sleeping in the lounge. This picture does not accurately reflect who did most sleeping, I would like to add.
We got our flight to Dublin and then were much happier because Dublin airport was very new and nice , and had lots of wifi and coffee and things. We at least knew we were in the right country and joked that we could always walk there from this point. Dublin to Kerry flight was quite short but there was a bit of delay getting onto the tiny plane as it was checked over by hand by some boys that looked like they were fresh off of the farm. We've a picture of the plan but the 20 minutes are running low so that might have to wait. At Kerry airport, which is extremely small and adorable (Luke's words) they were very sad that our luggage wasn't there but also not extremely surprised, saying it happens about once a week. My grandma and uncle picked us up from the aiport and drove us to the hotel. We dumped our stuff and realised it would be a few hours before we could sleep again so headed to a nearby pub and were rewarded with a pint each and some live music. Slept well, and are now dressed in the same clothes as yesterday. Slightly damp because I insisted that we wash them out but there was no way to dry them. Will reunite with parents soon and they will save us from ourselves.
Wow! Glad you finally made it and sorry about your luggage. :( love the story of Luke shouting we need to to Ireland! Yay for awesome people who do their jobs well and get you on your way.
ReplyDeleteGlad you two have finally made it there safely! Love the posts!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm not used to checking this daily but am rewarded each time I do with a fresh and fascinating blog! Great to be included on this wild journey of yours. So sorry for all the delays and frustration and lack of sleep. But it DOES make a really good story. Well told, Lizzy!
ReplyDeleteI heard about your wild trip (Sue keeps reading these to me and is even writing this) but glad you made it. I hope your luggage does too!
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