Hey everyone!
Three weeks into autumn quarter at school and I already cannot wait for the holidays! Just a short while ago, I was lounging around and doing a whole lot of nothing. Okay, that’s not completely true. Because I was actually quite busy this past summer. What with summer quarter and work and all. But still…
I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather these past couple days. Probably because it’s that time of year again when everyone’s getting sick. It’s nearly impossible to not catch something, even if it’s only a 24-hour bug. Either way, I’m gonna have to kick that aside because I have things to do and stuff to take care of. I can’t be sick. Gotta pile on the layers, and take plenty of Tylenol and fluids.
I’m looking forward to the winter ahead. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire… Too soon? Everywhere around me there’s Halloween spirit, and here I am already wishing it were the holiday season. If I had anywhere to go or anything to do for Halloween I would think about what to dress up as, but since this “holiday” falls on a Monday of all days there isn’t much. You could say why not party the weekend before? Cuz it’s not the same if it’s not actually that day. You know what I mean?
What are you going to dress as for Halloween?
After going on the cruise and having a crazy, yet memorable, trip, my family and I have been continually reminiscing. It is seriously a trip we won’t stop talking about for a long time to come. And it’s all because of just one part. The flight there.
There’s so much to say that I’m probably going to be doing several parts to this story. Gotta share with you guys the crazy adventure I’ve been on a few weeks ago.
It was a cruise in the New England area. Specifically, Quebec City, Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Halifax, Saint John in New Brunswick, Bar Harbor in Maine, and then Boston. Since we don’t live in Quebec (we live in Seattle), we have to fly there. We chose to fly to Quebec a couple days before we have to board the cruise ship, giving us time to explore the city on our own before the rest of the vacation began.
Flights. Oh geez. I really don’t like flying. I dislike airplanes and airports and all that stuff. Not because I have a fear. Though, after watching Lost I sometimes do fear flying. No, I really hate the intense security checks, the pressure to get there ON TIME, the nasty circulated air that dries out skin, turbulence, and most importantly that stupid 3-1-1 liquids rule for carryons.
As someone who takes diligent care of her skin, part of which is moisturizing near religiously, having a liquids limit for carryon luggage really is a struggle. I already have this fear that they will lose my luggage. I like to keep all essentials in my carryon bag, meaning a ton of extra underwear, socks, and all necessary toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. I am extremely glad that I’ve been taking this precaution for years because the inevitable happened. No, they didn’t lose my luggage (though I think they nearly did). Rather, we were stranded overnight at the airport.
To start off, we had just boarded a plane that would take us from Seattle to Toronto. From Toronto, we were to take a connecting flight to Quebec. HOWEVER, right before take-off, the pilot announced that one of the wheels on the plane had some metal in it and needed maintenance. We ended up having to wait 20-30 minutes for the maintenance crew to show up, then another 20 minutes for them to fix it, with them finding yet ANOTHER wheel needing to be fixed. And so on… We ended up leaving a couple hours later than originally planned. Because of that, we were late to our next flight.
I’m super thankful they found and fixed this problem before it became a problem, yet that won’t keep me from being extremely pissed off and agitated. They should have checked before everyone was boarded and we were about to take-off. Shouldn’t they be doing this kind of maintenance before the passengers even show up?
We arrived in Toronto a half hour after the connecting flight we were to be on had left. We were told that they had put us on a different connecting flight. But, here’s where it got really irritating. Originally it was to be just two flights and then an arrival in Quebec. Yet, for some crazy reason, they decided to have us fly from Toronto to Ottawa, to Montreal, and then take a flight to Quebec City. All of which would take place between the hours of 12 am and 8 am. Meaning, no sleep whatsoever. We had already woken up very early for the first flight. That means over 24 hours spent in an airport or in an airplane.
We had booked a hotel for the couple days in Quebec, but all of this had caused us to lose one of those nights there, while still being charged.
I don’t quite remember how, but we found out that there was space available for us to just go directly to Montreal and wait to go to Quebec City. My parents convinced them to put us on that flight, which was taking off in ten minutes. We ended up having to race through security, hungry, thirsty, and agitated, straight to the gates.
After our arrival in Montreal, that’s when the panic sunk in. Where in hell would our luggage be? Before getting to Montreal, we were told that our luggage would just follow us to where we go. But, they had automatically put us on a multitude of flights, and ended up last minute changing which flight we were going to take. They told us there could potentially be a delay, in which our luggage would arrive several days later. But, since we were going on a cruise, we wouldn’t even be there to pick up our luggage.
We spent a terrible night at the airport, desperately wanting to know where our luggage would be, while waiting for a flight to Quebec City. The PA system in the Montreal airport was half-broken, and every poorly made announcement crackled obnoxiously. We only had our carryon luggage. Because of the stupid 3-1-1 rule, I didn’t have any makeup remover with me, Nor did I have enough moisturizer. I was freaking out; how would I survive the next week and half without all my clothes, toiletries, or even an extra pair of shoes?! I only had on sandals because I thought it would be a simple flight.
Eventually the anger and irritation wore off as the hours of the sleepless night went by.
The airport, or airline, had given each of the four of us a ten dollar voucher for food as compensation. As if that was some kind of consolation that would make us feel better. Okay, it did in a way. It felt like such a thrilling win when my sister and I went to each place and carefully spent every penny. I didn’t need to get a venti unsweetened soy London Fog tea latte, but I did. She didn’t have to have those extra shots in her latte, but she did. Oh, the little things that cheered us up a bit.
After our arrival in Quebec, the one thing that had plagued us since the delayed arrival of the first flight finally went away. Our luggage was waiting for us in the lost-baggage area of the baggage claim. Our luggage had followed us through those unnecessary additional flight, and made it on time.
Oh that sweet smell of FRESH air when we finally stepped outside of the airport for good. Air had never felt so good on my face before.
We basically crashed for a couple hours at the hotel after that. I was so exhausted. Jet-lag coupled with the agitated sleepless night at the airport, all of that stress just took a toll on me.
First day in Quebec wasted on napping the day away.
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| This was taken after a MUCH NEEDED shower and nap after getting to the hotel. I wouldn’t have been willing to take photos or pose if it weren’t for that. |
After a couple hours of rest and refreshing ourselves, we did venture outside and make the most of the rest of that first day. We strolled the streets, enjoying the beautiful weather. A farmer’s market was nearby, so we walked around there as well. A ton of art galleries were open, which was wonderful because I love going to art galleries and seeing what kinds of art people are creating. I’m so classy like that. (not really.. haha)
We saved the majority of the town to explore for the next day because we were way too exhausted to really enjoy it all that first day.
Quebec City is so gorgeous. The buildings, the scenery, everything. I’m so glad I took French at school, rather than Spanish like my friends had. I didn’t realize everyone would actually be speaking French. Seriously, the culture and environment there is so fascinating and beautiful. Have you ever been to Quebec?
I’ve rambled on long enough in this post. I’ll continue reminiscing of my vacation in the next post. I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing all about this so far! I’ve got more to share with you! Consider this a teaser. Except not really. Because the rest of the vacation actually went by very well. Nothing as crazy and terrible happened afterwards.
I had to share the most enticing part first to capture your attention, ya know?
On the plus side, my makeup somehow still looked very good after 24 hours. I guess Maybelline Color Tattoo does live up to its hype. I also kept my hair braided for most of the trip, so when I took down my hair, it looked okay as well. At least I looked presentable, even though I felt sticky and gross after so long in an airplane and airport.
Comment down below your most horrible experiences when traveling, whether it be airplane-related or not! What are some irritating, near comedic, yet memorable traveling experiences you have had? I would love to hear your stories because I KNOW mine was not the worst.
I hope you have a wonderful day!! Thanks for stopping by!
Til next time
~A
