There are many, many things that I love about being in NC... I love being close to the ocean (even if I don't like getting into it). I love the feeling of being in a small town. Knowing all of my neighbors is a blessing and a curse, but a blessing none the less. It's great to know that I can support my community by shopping at local Farmer's Markets, and I can buy hand-crafted gifts for my friends. The main portion of the island that I travel is only 14 miles long, and has just 2 main roads -- the "beach road" and "the highway."
One of the drawbacks is that the drive to the airport is an hour and 20 minutes on a good day. Norfolk International is, well, puny. They do have 2 Starbucks now, and I feel confident in recommending the Iced Mint Chip Mocha What-ever-you-call-it. Deliciousness in a cup. Other than that, they got a whole lotta nuttin.
The best flight for me to grab, ON PAPER, is the Continental Flight to Newark at 5:30pm. It's supposed to arrive, ON PAPER, at 7:14, leaving plenty of time to meet friends for a frosty, post-flight beverage and a snack. OR meal. Or feeding frenzy. Take your pick.
For the past, um, 5 years, my flight has been delayed. Not one flight, not two or three, or ten... EVERY FLIGHT. I'm not sure how this happens. We have no inclement weather. I'm surrounded by a few really nice people this time, which is good. Right now, I am the Norfolk Airport Goddess with a laptop, watching the flight leaving Newark to come get us. At this moment, the web site says, "Status: Departed Gate 2 hours 36 Minutes Late, taxiing to runway." It's said that for 40 minutes already, which means the passengers are sitting in a long sardine can on the runway. They aren't even in the air yet. TRANSLATION: I'm not even close to getting on this plane.
I should take a moment to send a "shout out" to 2 of my best friends, Carol & Laurie, for offering to pick me up despite the fact that I am always late. ALWAYS LATE!! URGH!
The last time I was delayed I was almost arrested by airport security. I'm not making this up, it's true. Check the report. On that occasion, I was waiting with a large group of somewhat elderly foreign folks. They were traveling to Newark to catch another flight to Germany. Their English was broken and they were quite worried. It took more time than I could consider appropriate before an attendant showed-up to give us an update on the delay. She was nasty and unprofessional and I was inclined to step-in when she threatened them. "If you are that worried, I'll just cancel your flight and you can try again tomorrow." OH NO YOU DIDN'T!! To make a long blog short, I was so loud and fired-up she had to call for back-up. Eventually, we got on the plane, and they showered me with thanks for helping them. Thank God I didn't have to collect their traveler's cheques for Airport Jail Bail.
Signing off ... annoyed
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