How did I make it

I don’t travel well.  Actually, I do travel well I just don’t relax until I get where I’m going.  So when the departure day got closer for me to head to the airport I got a bit more stressed.  I booked the flight a while ago and just confirmed parking at the airport the day before I fly out.  Krystalla and myself discussed on how I would get to airport but with a change in work it made things more complicated.  It was decided I would park the car instead of being dropped off.

So away I went.  Finding the parking lot was fairly easy but upon arriving the sign stated lot full.  I was baffled and re-read the sign again.  It stated to go to the garage parking lot instead so off I went.   Tried to scan the prepaid bar code and it got rejected.  Pressing the assist button and was told to head back to the other lot and they would help me there.  The lot wasn’t full for reserved parking which what I did, but you couldn’t park there if you didn’t have it reserved.

So back I go, luckily I was early, and called for assistance again.  After a long conversation it was confirmed I needed to use the other terminal so after backing up and maneuvering to the other terminal I got in and was able to park.  Looking around I figured out where to go to find the train station and headed off.   A short 5 minutes on the train and was at the terminal.  Now from our trip to Cuba and my previous trip to Chicago I tried to read the board in where to go to get checked in.  Only one station was showing so I went there to get started.

After doing the self check-in I got to the line up for baggage and was told I needed to go the other section to have bag checked.   They really need to fix labelling where to go for the proper flight.  After a short walk I got everything settled and headed off to go through US customs.  The entry was blocked by a large family since you have to talk right at the entrance.  That is just what you need to do since no one else needs to get through.

Navigating though them I head down to the door and was asked a question.  Knowing I don’t have nexus I said the other answer and was directed to go through.  Attempting to use the system here and got rejected.  No guard was close so I walked to the exit of the area and asked.   He firmly told me to go back and he pointed to another door that I somehow missed.  Off I go again.

It seems that the family that was blocking the area also made me miss the line up I was supposed to use.  Ah well,  no further hiccups going through US customs headed towards the security baggage check.  I was giggling while I waited to get through the scanner since the lady ahead of me must have had at least ten pieces of jewelry on.  The scanned her whole body twice and even had a full body rub down.  Since the security guard was cute, long hair and nice looking hands, wondered if I could get the same treatment?  Alas, I didn’t get held up here, went through quickly and headed off to my gate number printed on my ticket.

Found a comfy spot, ordered a drink or two and settled in.   Flight was on time so I relaxed.   Played a bit on my tablet or chatted in my phone.  The boarding time came and I didn’t see anything happening.   The last time in Chicago the board never updated with the delay and Krystalla actually had more accurate information online then I did at the airport.  Looking it up on my phone to see if it was delayed and it showed a different gate number.   I dismissed it as wrong and continued to wait.  It was close to departure time so I decided that I should use bathroom.  Coming back I looked at the board to see if the plane was boarding and it showed it was.  Then I realized that the gate I have on my ticket doesn’t match what is on the board. .

I panicked.  I was also cursing the Airline.  How do you change gates but print the ticket with the old one?   Heading off I proceed to find the new gate.  After five minutes I found it as the PA system announced final boarding for my flight.   I showed the pass to the attendant and he was bit confused as well.  “That is not right,” he states.  No shit.  He scanned and checked my passport and then I kind of rushed on to the plane.  Have to saying being the second last person on made it easy to get to my seat.  Not great for the nerves though.  The lady beside me was very chatty when I sat down.  She really didn’t stop talking until she had been setup with her headset and tablet.  Actually she slept in positions that I couldn’t even do for the whole flight.  Silence was nice so I settled in and closed my eyes.  I dozed pretty much the whole way there.

Over an hour later I arrived in Chicago and quickly got up heading off the plane shouting out bye to the lady who was trying to repack her carry on.   Going through the airport was simple enough and had my luggage quickly. I waited for my girlfriend who seemed to appear out of know where when she did show up.   Long hug as we just held each other.  Kiss and then off we went to find where she parked.  Kind of felt surreal since I was in the exact same area in the airport and baggage claim when I was here in January for work.

I was looking forward to the three days I have with her.  I haven’t seen her since March and I am looking forward to having time with her.  I just hope the days don’t go by to quickly.