Part One “Cancelled flights, re-routes and airports, OH MY”

The past few days have been travel hell. There’s no way around it. The worst parts of traveling, all the hassles I could imagine, all happened in the past three days. It is possible that in my state of exhaustion I over exaggerate, but seriously. OY. I suppose I was due for some bad luck, having never had any problems like this before. My friend and I have managed to stay in good spirits and keep giggling throughout.

It all started in Montreal where the first leg of our flight, from YUL to PHL was delayed by an hour. Then by two. Then by four. Then by seven. At 8pm, still sitting in the Dorval airport, we were finally told that our flights were cancelled due to a snowstorm that had shut down most of the North-Eastern coast. Along with hundreds of other people, we rushed to get our bags, then beat most of the crowd to the ticket counter to re-book.

Standing in line, I told S that I really hoped that we could still make it to Madrid in time for our friend’s wedding. Being a seasoned actress, she obviously caught on right away and we were instantly talking about how we really don’t want to miss the dinner reception and our dress fittings. At the ticket counter, we were told that the earliest we could leave YUL would be the 28^th in the morning (it was currently the 26^th at night). Teary-eyed, I explained that our friend was getting married and we absolutely had to be there as soon as possible. We managed to score the fastest way to get there, meaning we would arrive in Madrid on the morning of the 28^th, ready to attend our friend’s wedding.

Our little makeshift bed set-up at YUL

This “fastest way” meant that we would have to try and catch a stand-by flight to Toronto at 5:30am, meaning a 3:30 am check-in. First portion was a success. We were directed to place where we could wait on “comfortable” couches for the next few hours. Obviously, the 5:30 flight to YYZ was delayed.

We arrived in Toronto late enough to have to make a Hollywood-type mad dash from one end of the airport to the other. We made it JUST in time for the second portion of our trip: a flight to London Heathrow. From LHR, we had another overnight layover. Sick of airports at this point, S suggested we go into the city. DONE.

I always love traveling with people who haven’t much, because they bring out the giddy child in me about the little things. Whether it’s $1 beer in South America or the London underground’s “Mind the gap” lady, I love experiencing these things with people for the first time, again.

The tube took us straight to Picadilly Circus and we were able to find a decently priced meal around the main drag. My memories after this point are really hazy and all I remember is being so tired that I couldn’t see straight. Only someone I really truly love could have convinced me to get a drink at that point… She managed! We found a little lounge ordered a London-priced beer and people watched the partygoers. Sitting in the same clothes that we had been in for over 36 hours, I don’t think either of us felt like joining in on the dancing.

Catching some 'zzzs on the number 9

The number 9 bus brought us back to the airport (I had a tough time keeping my eyes open and we hurried up to go wait in line again. This portion of the trip went off without a hitch. The flight was right on time, our seats were comfortable, we landed in Madrid on time. Everything seemed to be looking up. Except that our luggage didn’t follow us. Nor has it been delivered yet.

Day four (29^th) of the same clothes and still no luggage. After a much needed night out last night, we woke up and decided that it was time to invest in another outfit and headed to the shopping district. Thank goodness for cheap clothes!

Tonight, we go to El Museo de la Reina Sofia. It has free entry from 7 til 9pm! Things are looking up :)

Tomorrow, Granada and then Barcelona to celebrate the New Year