Airport Nightmares

I was running close to get to the airport yesterday, because I found out my flight was actually leaving earlier then I expected. Well, I want you to know (believe me if you want) that I got to the airport EXACTLY on time. I had already checked in, via the internet, but had to send my luggage through. when I got to the counter I was told I was late. The Northwest employee informed me that because I was a few minutes late, they had already sent through the the luggage to security check. "Late, what? Do you mean, I won't be able to get on the plane?" I asked. I was quickly and abruptly informed that I had a dilemma, which would be hard to fix, because I couldn't go on a separate flight from my luggage. So after complaining for a few minutes, which got me no where, I decided to give in and accept standby for the next flight. So I went home (thank heaven I live five minutes from the airport) and I made the necessary changes to my iteneary. Then I headed back to the airport.

I figured all would be smooth sailing, but I was wrong. I didn't get on stand by because they over booked the flight by nine people and then I was on stand by! I have a feeling they must have overview's my flight earlier, but saying I was late, got them out of giving me a vouture. Ugh. So once again, I was stuck...how was I going to get to Alaska? The new Northwest employee was better to work with this time and was able to book me on a flight out of Baltimore airport the next morning. If I got on this flight then I would still be able to keep my schedule and not have to pay for an extra hotel. But guess what, the adventure doesn't end there.

I got into Baltimore the next morning and almost thought I wasn't going to get on that flight either. They said my ticket wasn't a confirmed ticket. Now I was starting to get angry. I already drove to another airport far away, so I wasn't leaving unless it was on that flight! After searching through their computer system, they discovered that I did have a ticket. The first leg of the trip, to Detroit, was in first class, which I suppose they thought would make everything better. I was just glad to get on the plane.

Atleast the plane ride was fun. I had a indepth conversation with my neighbor passenger about religion. By the end of the flight we argreed to disagree and that we promised to help each other out after this life, depending on where we met! And the flight to Anchorage was fabulous. I was amazed by all the mountain formations as we crossed the Rockies. And the teacher in me came out, because after we left Detroit I noticed the land formations. I was sitting next to two young girls so I had to point out that we were crossing over the Canadian Shield. I even took pictures.

After I got into Anchorage, I immediately got on another plane to Juneau, Alaska. They actually delayed the flight to Juneau, because my plane got in late...Whew! Once I was in Juneau, I had to walk a few blocks to the bus station to get to my hostel for the night. The bus trip was very entertaining, maybe even the funniest part.

It is a small town so I'm sure there isn't much to do, but I noticed a lot of teenagers were on the bus, headed to the city center. They seemed to be having a good time, talking a little loud, but nothing too bad, when I was surprised because the bus driver asked them to quiet down. I felt like I was on a school bus, because a few minutes after the noise level increased again, the bus driver stopped the bus right in the middle of the road and walked to the back of the bus. He then said, "I have asked you once to be quiet, now I'm going to split you up. You (pointing to one girl) and you (another girl) are going to sit in the front." Now the interesting thing is how silent it was. The girls actually listened and moved to the front. I know that would never happen back at home. I couldn't help but giggle because I seriously felt like I was back in high school on the bus.

After a long walk up the steep hill, I made it to my hostel for the night. Now, things certainly didn't go according to plan, but it really has been a fun adventure. I felt independent because I figured everything out on my own. I got where I need to go and had a nice shower and night's sleep. Now I'm on my way back to the airport to get on the prop plane. Yeah! I will finally be in Skagway. If I can say one thing, sometimes it is good to have challenges in life. It makes the experience more fun. I met some great people on my flights and at the hostel and I had the feeling of doing this all on my own. I wonder what other "challenges" I will come up against.