Saying Goodbye

I live about an hour from the airport. Wow what an uncomfortable drive. Both my mom and dad making small talk, and pretending like they were about to cry uncontrollably now that the time had finally arrived for me to leave.



My Grandmother



To my greater embarrassment my Grandmother, Aunt and Uncle also came to the airport. So I get to the check-in. I had packed and re-packed so that my baggage was not overweight. I managed to get within the ridiculous weight restrictions the airlines now permit. Guess someone at home was not being honest with themselves. Unlike my bathroom scale. The airport said my bags were 20lbs over weight.

Oh!! the embarrassment having to re-pack my suitcases - transfer my underwear and bikini bottoms from my suitcase to my carry-on on the floor of the departure lounge of an international airport.

So I get to the security gates. You would think I was a recent immigrant or movie star with the entourage seeing me off. And I thought baggage was an ordeal. 

So they put my carry-on through the x-ray machine. My advise is to go to the airport early. A day early would be my advise. That way you know that all the people that were waiting behind me in the line and watched me strip down to my bear feet and then were entertained by the scanning and re-scanning of my carry-on have departed on other planes. And, not sitting in the same aisle on a transatlantic flight.

So I'm beyond the check point. My family thinks I'm beyond view. Are they crying uncontrollably? Are they staring forlornly at the gate? No They are dancing and playing bumper cars with the baggage carts as they proceed First Class Lounge for cocktails. My Aunts' an executive with one of those cards. Think I got any perks!!

My flights delayed so I text my mom. She doesn't answer. After about 2 hours I hear back.  I explained that the departure is delayed. She said something about a bad connection and we were disconnected. I think she was watching House.

Anyway the we finally boarded the plane. Because of the delay they had to change flight crew. Our meal was cold and the in Flight movie was again 'Snakes on a Plane'. Great they showed it the last time I flew.