Back in 2006, Evan, Yvonne, Jamey, Ruby (at 8 weeks from conception) and I took a stellar trip to Belgium. We kept a fantastic journal and have some great pictures. Unfortunately, I was too pregnant (i.e. sleepy and nauseous) to update a website with our vacation. Well, now that I have some time, why not fix that? Hop in my DeLorean and let's go.
November 20, 2006 - Jamey
"I love ya, Tomorrow"
Jeff offered to drive us to the airport. He had a 2:00 class at UAB, so our 12:57 departure fit into his schedule nicely. We picked up Evan and Yvonne and headed to Thai Garden for an early lunch.
As we finished lunch, Yvonne retrieved the envelope containing all our travel docs. Jeff commented that Yvonne looked particularly studious as she scanned the travel docs, so she could separate the Taylors from Lo-Kochs. Stacy got impatient and snatched the papers from Yvonne's hands. Now it was Stacy’s turn to stare at the itinerary for an inordinately long time. "These all say, 'Departs Tuesday,' but Tuesday’s supposed to be when we arrive." Remain calm, but do so as quickly as possible. Pay the tab. Start the car. Compare the airline docs to the print-out of the original reservation. Good, we weren't retarded when we made the reservation. Who had the number? Look up the number. Call Gate One Travel.
What if we can't go to Belgium today? What if they have to upgrade us to first class? What if there are only two seats left? Then Stacy and Evan will have fun. Why do I have to sit next to the pregnant lady? Surely there's still room on the flight to Belgium, but what if the flight to Washington, DC is all booked? Who will fetch the saltines from the carry-on if there's a snack-attack? But we're not able to sit together? Why didn't we notice this earlier? Guilt, anger, acceptance, denial, picking-on-Stacy. We ran the whole gamut of emotions while we waited for the travel agency to call Yvonne back.
We were a couple miles south of the airport when Yvonne's phone rang. Our booking was corrected. Yvonne and the Gate One agent shared a long goodbye. The agent lectured that this was Yvonne's fault for not being at the airport two hours before the flight departure time. We're not able to figure out how that makes any sense whatsoever, but whatever, we're going to Belgium. Last minute flight change. Foreign passport. Name on the ticket doesn't match the name on the passport. Yvonne's ticket bore the acronym 'SSSS'. The ladies at the tail of the security queue highlighted the ssses and several other areas of Yvonne's ticket in scarlet. While Stacy and I strolled through the security check-point holding the wrong tickets (I hers and she mine), Yvonne was sent to stand in a queue for
Super
Scary
Special
Security
Ok. So we don't know what the sssses stand for. Stacy and I debated over whether or not one is allowed to photograph their friends who are receiving a full-body pat-down and scan. We debated until our photo-op had passed though, so you'll have to trust me that this story is true.
We are on our flight to DC. Life can't always be beer and chocolate, but for the upcoming week, we'll give it a try.
To be continued...
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