SERENITY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -Helen Keller
I'm not sure why this is happening. I consider myself a pretty flexible person; only rigid in specific ways. However, this is beyond my realm of reason. When I was originally stressed about being stranded in Atlanta, I was assuming I would be stranded in a basic hotel. Instead, I was dropped off in the ghetto of what Wilson calls, "Hotlanta" and the scariest motel I have ever been too.
Let me back up. Things started going more positively after I finished my last entry. When we started boarding, I totally panicked because I was zone 8 of 9 with a massive hiking backpack. I was so worried they were going to check my bag, (which it is important to note when you get stranded and put in a hotel by the airport they do not return your checked luggage--you go with what you've got on your back) so my hearts starting to race anticipating the confrontation about to come with the flight attendant's about my stupid bag. I envisioned a replica of the scene in the Meet The Parents.
By some obscure chance, the man sitting in my seat wanted to be with his family so he exchanged my seat for a seat in first class. Insert happy dance. I started thinking it was going to work out and that the universe would align and get me to Madrid in one strong piece.
So needless to say I didn't make the connection by a mere 10 minutes--I went to the international desk to get re-booked on the flight for tonight. I stood in line for 3 1/2 hours with a 30lb backpack on, listening to the disgruntled moans and groans of fellow travelers. Ridiculous customer service. On another positive note, I ended up meeting 5 other passengers who live in Madrid. This adorable older couple took me under their wing (they got bumped up to first class for tonight's flight..i'm not that persuasive apparently) After the re-booking shenanigans me, Jose, Santiago, and the older couple went to look for a restaurant open in the airport (at 12:30 pm) to use the food voucher we received; it didn't work out because everything was closed and after attempting to get a fruit cup at Starbucks, the shrew behind the desk bit my head off about $1.45. Let me explain, I got a bottle of water, orange juice, and a tiny fruit cup assuming it would be under $7. Of course there are no prices listed on the products. So when she totaled it up it was $8.45 and the voucher was worth $7 so I told her I would put the OJ back since she didn't accept credit and I only had euro's. She said she couldn't give me change..I began to think 'lights are on but nobody's home' because I was just asking her to get rid of the orange juice so I wouldn't owe her money. Ultimately she told me to just leave and Jose inadvertently stole a deli sandwich in the midst of total confusion. I comforted him by telling him it was a small token to make up for all his troubles with flying yesterday.
I then got to the hotel, and my heart stopped. It was horrible, absolutely horrible. After i got my room key i was on the 4th floor (all the rooms are outside) I couldn't get the door to open and my hands were shaking because I was so scared someone was going to mug me (I have my laptop, expensive jewelry, wallet, passport, etc in 2 easy bags) and please don't assume i'm being a typical brat--this place was straight out of a horror movie. I finally bust in the door and none of the lights work and it looks like the scene of a crime. I dropped my bags and went back downstairs to get help with the lights. All the while, my phone is dying while I'm trying to get comforted by A. The evil woman in the lobby (all the doors are locked, and is now speaking to me through a bullet proof window) tells me 'this must be your first time traveling by yourself. god help me.' I wanted to punch her. She then was going to put me in a smoking room, I said fuck it i'll try and figure out the lights by myself. On my way up, I bumped into the couple from Orlando who were calling it a "no tell motel, from hell." They noticed I was crying and came up and gave me a hug, soothing me by saying this was a really scary motel and that they would be right next door if I needed them. There are some really great people that you meet. I wanted to be like, "can i sleep on your floor?"
I ended up spreading my sleeping bag across the bed and sleeping in my clothes. The airport wouldn't give me back my luggage. I put the teddybear A gave me, and left the light and tv on for comfort. Worst night's sleep ever. I've never cried harder than I did last night, just feeling so helpless and traumatized. Also, incredibly homesick. I woke up this morning with swollen, puffy eyes, that not even my eye cream could help. I'll also admit I fought with the packet of toothpaste the airport issued me, after ripping as hard as i could in different angles, i ended up poking a hole in it using my little black comb. Toothpaste at last. ((all the while people kept knocking on my door asking me if I was checking out today.)) After everything I realized, Dan lives in Atlanta--only this afternoon after all the motel shenanigans. He actually just called me to ask me if I needed a place to stay. People amaze me with their kindness.
I am at the airport, looking pretty damn tragic. I attempted to put myself back together but by the time I get to Madrid tomorrow i'll have been in the same clothes for 3 days. Sexy. Anyways, i'm really apprehensive about getting my bags from the airport to the train station by myself. Pilar, the bilingual coordinator, is going to pick me up in Cordoba (thank you god) and my soon to be british room mate Will is getting in at 2 p.m and is meeting us in Cordoba after. I'm worried I can't do this. Like, the universe is trying to squash me and make this as hard as possible--emotionally and physically. All I can do is keep breathing.
Missing you,
P.S: Love you A. For all that you are--I couldn't have done this without you.
No comments:
Post a Comment