PROBLEMS IN LONDON

JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT WE WERE ALMOST HOME............

Travels to London were great.  Each of us hanging out in our own seats, watching our little TV screens, regrouping, looking forward to 18 hours in London to debrief and take in the sights.

Well, Windsor Castle was impressive and we lucked out and saw the changing of the guards.  The royal flags were out as the President of France was at the castle visiting with the Queen.  It all felt quite grand.  Coffee and scones and a quaint English Pub made the experience complete.

Responsibly we headed off to the airport our 2 hours early and thought it was quite special that we were there for the first day of the opening of the NEW TERMINAL 5 BUILDING.  

WELL WE CHANGED OUR MINDS.

I don't know if the news hit your area, but it is big news here.  Major problems with the conveyor belt halted all flights and the police were called in to make sure that the thousands of tired, frustrated people didn't riot or something.

Donna was interviewed by a local TV station about 1 1/2 hours into the wait and she was quite pleasant about it all.   I wonder what she would have said at the end of our 6 hours, waiting in line without an offer of water  (oh, we did see about 8 bottles of water being handed out, but it didn't make it down the 200 people line up).  Yes, you might be sensing a little sarcasm and I was quite angry when it was about our turn and we were informed that they were closing the desks and we should leave and come back tomorrow or try the phone lines.

Well, it might have been something I said, or how I looked (I think I was a little forceful) but we were escorted to a desk and allowed to be the last clients.  Karine enjoyed a stimulating conversation about Niteo and Africa and politics with a gentleman in line behind us and for that Donna and I were very grateful.

Off to another line up for the taxis  (of course trying to save money, I went off to find another cab....and succeeded).  Making Karine and Donna stand in the line, out in the cold it only took another hour.  But on a thankful note we avoided the line up for hotel reservations and went off to the hotel that our ticket agent gave us a voucher for  (again, I think she might have been feeling sorry for me, or was it something I said?).

Our hotel is very expensive, quaint and in the heart of Windsor where it only cost us $20 for a cold sandwich.  A silver lining.  Well, we are off to try leaving London again and though we don't have tickets all the way home till Saturday morning, we believe we will make it.

Thank you to our families for being so patient and we look forward to seeing you all very soon.  (we hope)

Trying to stay positive and peaceful, 

Angela 

Donna and Karine handled it all much better than I did.  Oh, I have much to learn.

The fun of it all is that things like this are bonding and give us a story to tell.  Donna says that sounds sort of disney in a Stephen King world.  Oh well, I tried.

Bye for now and hope to post you a picture of this soon.