Home at last. After a grueling series of flights home I arrived home at 4:30AM Tuesday, albeit a bit tired.
My last day in France consisted of a great hike and picnic. It was a fantastic way to end my trip. I miss the weather and the breeze--it's so humid and sticky here. Welcome home to Michigan.
Monday proved to be less than stellar. I misread the weight limit for my baggage three times and ended up paying an overage fee of 75 Euros (about $110). That sucked, but there was really nothing I can do about it. It was a hassle to pay the fine; the guy gave me lip about my card not being valid unless signed. Anyone can use it then, which I think is bullshit. Anyone can use the card IF signed. They didn't ask for an ID; he honestly didn't know at all if I was who I said I was. Signing my card isn't magic, and they don't make pens that can sign cards very well.
I actually enjoyed the flight from Marseilles to Amsterdam. They fed us a decent lunch (no butter on my sandwich) and cookie! Navigating the Amsterdam airport proved a much easier task than previously, and I found my gate with no issues.
I finally had to go through a full body scanner, and I guess I don't quite get what the deal is. It was quick and easy, and I didn't get groped. The only trouble I had was when I had to board the plane. A little background information first: when I payed my baggage fee, the guy gave me copies of my receipt to give to the people boarding the plane. I guess to prove I'd paid a fee, so I wouldn't have to again.
When my flight to Detroit started boarding, I got in line. I showed the woman my boarding pass and started to give her the receipt, but she ushered me forward. I stopped and tried to explain to which I got an "I'm busy, please board the plane." Whatever, I stepped aside and waited for a moment before uttering another "ma'am" The response to which was a curt and rude "I'll help you in a minute. I'm trying to do my job!" Eventually she did turn around to me and I attempted once again to explain that I was told I had to give this to the person boarding the plane. She looked at me like I was an idiot and told me she had no idea what I was talking about.
During this whole ordeal, the rest of the people boarding the plane had stopped to wait in line. I'm still trying to explain and apologize because "this is just what I was told." The lady snapped at the people waiting and told them "to just board the plane." What the hell?! She completely stopped checking boarding passes and let everyone on. I realize we've already gone through some security to get into the waiting area, but she just let everyone walk on. God.
Besides not sleeping and some stomach upset toward the end, the flight to Detroit was actually okay. I mean, the main chicken dish they served us was crap, but near the end they gave us pizza and believe it or not, ice cream! I've never had ice cream on a plane before.
Welcome to America! I must have watched that video ten times before I got through the line at customs. I was so tired by the time I got through and found my next gate. I had an hour before my flight was supposed to leave--I thought I had an hour at least. In reality, my flight had been delayed three hours. Perfect. I was now supposed to fly to Grand Rapids at 1:30 in the morning.
So I sat and waited with everyone else. The crew offered us no information on what was going on, just that the flight was delayed. They offered no other solutions or means of transportation. You really could have walked to Grand Rapids faster in the time it took me to get home. Finally, at 1:10 the plane coming in from Washington (that we would be taking to GR) arrived. She announced it and even tried to get us to cheer. Lady, we're tired. Happy that it is here, but tired none the less. We could board the plane.
I called my parents to let them know that we were finally boarding and should be home in an hour/ hour and a half. As we got on they handed us complimentary bottles of water (really, water?). We sat down; the doors closed, and the pilot announced we would fuel up and be on our way. I fell asleep.
When I woke up, it was an hour later and we still hadn't let. Once again, they hadn't made any announcement about what was going on and why we weren't leaving. One of the passengers had to go argue with a steward for a minute before we got anything. Apparently, the guy fueling the plane isn't qualified to read the fuel gauge. I really have to wonder why he's qualified to fuel the plane but can't tell when it's full. He had called his supervisor, who hasn't yet arrived. And to make it worse, the crew was reaching duty time, so if this guy doesn't show up in the next 10 minutes, our flight will be canceled.
Wonderful isn't it? Naturally, everyone I was sitting next to was very upset. Another lady, like myself had already been up and traveling for 26 hours. A stewardess came back and talked to us when we asked what was going to happen. She explained duty time and told us that if it happens our flight would get canceled. At that point, I sort of broke. I started crying out of frustration and fatigue. The stewardess left and returned with a bottle of water. I'm tired and smelly and kind of sick, and she thinks water will make it better? Sorry, but no.
I guess the supervisor arrived because we managed to leave Detroit at 3:10AM--almost four hours and forty-five minutes later than we were supposed to.
But I'm home now, and happy to be here.
