Journey to see the Boys - Part 1

Hola,

I'm posting Day 1 of my journey from Malaga to Virginia to see the boys because well, it's me and no trip of mine ever goes to plan, plus it's the middle of the night and I have to stay awake!

My precious, handsome lads❤

Because of my move/finding a job/etc., I haven't seen the boys for three months, which is horrible and it was doing my head in.

Working on a tight budget, I found a cheappppp ticket a few weeks ago (skipping over the 30-hour, 4-flights-hitting-5-countries stuff.) When everything was confirmed, I was so excited. Yes! I'm off to see the boys for 2 consecutive weekends.

Yesterday, (Thursday) was the day, but distracted and overthinking things, I drove off wearing my slippers. (Only discovered it because my left foot kept slipping off the clutch. Duh.)

I cursed a wee little bit, turned around and drove back. (And, hey, that was ok, because I wanted to leave my sunglasses at the apartment anyway.)

Off I drove for the second time, stopping at a store to buy a scarf, which made me remember I'd left my new jacket on the back of a chair.

I cursed a little bit more, turned around and drove home.

Again.

Driving off for the third time, I was thankful my OCD likes a 3-4 hour buffer zone to get to the/any airport, so I was calm, but a little nervous as I'd burned an hour and hadn't hit the highway yet.

Without further memory loss issues, I made the airport with some extra time. Great. I've got one of those cards that let you in the swanky lounges for 14.32 minutes, so I grabbed a much-needed drink, a couple of pre-wrapped mini-sandwiches and apparently 3 bottles of very heavy soda (It makes sense later.)

Boarded the first plane to Stockholm but when two technicians opened one of the emergency windows due to a "tripped sensor," I wondered if faith was telling me something earlier!

First time I've ever seen this!

Hopefully, the last time, too!

But, no! I'm on my way to see the boys. I'm a klutz, is all (and more than happy not to be sitting in that emergency row seat...)

The delay cost an hour of my 2-hour transfer window, so I boogied off the plane and checked the screens.

Gate 65.

I can find that. Thinking I was probably in a different terminal I took off at a brisk walk, looking at signs and headed directly for Gate F65.

I see you there, F65...

Passport control ahead. Crap. That's going to take 5-10 mins., I thought, staring at the long lines.

Once I got to the top of the line, the customs agent explained I was in the wrong terminal, didn't need my passport and should recheck the departure screen.

"But I need Gate 65."

"This gets you to Gate F65."

Gate F65. I've got a good word that starts with F65, I muttered to myself, getting out of line and finding the nearest screen.

Boarding was in like 10 minutes and now I saw that I needed to get from Terminal 5 to Terminal 2. Bloody hell, Koopmans!

The brisk walk became a lumbering jog as my carry-on suitcase, heavy backpack and trusty jacket made life so much easier. (No, it didn't.)

Ten minutes later, I'm standing at the check-in desk, sweating my balls off and slobbering "da plane, da plane" incoherently like a crazed, bald Tattoo from Fantasy Island. The desk clerk was probably thinking, oh oh, we have a live one, here! His worried look didn't deter me. I was going to make it!

"There's your boarding card, this is T-2 and Gate 65 is just down the hall, past security."

"No F? No letters. Just 65?"

"Yes sir."

No-letter Gate 65.

I get to security, right at boarding time, and caught a break. The area was empty, but I couldn't take the drinks with me, and tossed them in the trash. Crap.

Through security, toss my backpack back on and hmmm. The damn thing is light as a feather. Wow, those drinks were heavy.

Gate 65 was next to security. I stop and stand there, hands on sweaty-shirted hips in triumphant glory. I am in Sweden and can enjoy the view for a few minutes!

The view from Sweden.

...And, then I saw the screen.

"Flight to Helsinki - DELAYED."

By 30 minutes. Thank God. I can regroup and grab another few cans to bring to Helsinki, where I've got an 7-hour wait. Up to the lounge I go, and open my backpack I do...

...And realize I've left my laptop, iPad and Tablet at security. In my haste to leave, I smash a glass on the counter and give my apologies as I bolt out.

Luckily, the security folks had all my stuff (I've got Netflix downloaded on each, in case I can't charge anything.) Thanking them profusely I stand back at the gate, but the plane hasn't even arrived and now we're up to a 60-minute delay.

No worries, back to the lounge I go.

"Sorry, we're closed."

Ok. A quick beer at the pub seemed like a good idea.

"Closed."

A coffee at Starbucks?

"Closed."

Like a drink-seeking version of Forest Gump, I find a seat that wasn't taken at the gate and wait patiently like a good man. Without breaking or losing anything else.

The flight was only 40 minutes, but bless her, the flight attendant offered a soft drink and my OJ was like the nectar of the gods.

So, here I am writing this from a dark, empty airport pub in Helsinki. As you do.

(It's closed here, too.)

It's 03:06 local, and I know this post is way too long, but it was fun to share. I board my flight to LHR in about 5 hours and finally arrive at IAD Friday afternoon EST. What could go wrong?

Oh, and the lounge opens at 05:00. Wonder if I can find a light drink to bring with me.

Helsinki is Hopping!