Challenging start to a Fabulous Trip

So, sitting at the computer the morning before the big trip and hearing a "drip...drip.....drip"

..a little disconcerting to say the least.

Then, stepping into a puddle and looking up to see the water 

dripping out of the ceiling,

just inches from the mixer board and printer!!

Dave cuts into the sheet rock and out pours a steady stream of water.

All I could think was:

"We are so lucky this happened today and not tomorrow after we were gone!!"

We did cut off the water when we left and will surely do that from now on!

  The mess from a pipe leak.                     

At 8:40 a.m., we head out the door to drive to the international airport.

Arrive at 9:40 for an 11:40 Air Canada flight to Montreal.

Except the flight is delayed til 1:40. Then 2:30. Then 3:30.

Then, suddenly CANCELLED!

So, they arrange for a new plane to come in.

And give us coupons for a really nice meal.

"It should depart at 5:00 in which case you will make your connection in Montreal."

But, it gets delayed. To 6:00. Then 6:30.

Well, we just missed our connection in Montreal.

"You can come back tomorrow and get the same flights" they say.

But we have a pre-paid vacation that starts tomorrow. We want to arrive tomorrow.

So, we get on the phone with Air Canada. 

They offer us a flight to Iceland via London!!!!

Why not? we say.

We had to retrieve our luggage from Air Canada, and re-check in to United.

And at 8:30 p.m. after hanging out at the Houston Airport for ELEVEN hours,

we board the United Airlines to London.  Sitting separately but that's OK.

We were both so exhausted, we mostly slept the whole way.

That's another 10 hours and 15 minutes

In London, we had only an hour so were concerned our bags wouldn't make it.

But as we pulled up to the gate in London, we were thrilled to see the Iceland Airlines

was the next gate over.  Another 3 hours and we finally arrive in Reykjavik.

We have no video to prove it, but I literally danced in circles when our luggage came down the ramp.

TWENTY SEVEN hours after leaving the house, we arrived at our hotel.

Our planned flight in purple and pink.
Our actual flight in green.

So, hanging out at the Houston International Airport has become a more tolerable experience now they've improved it with art, a Japanese themed eating area and a cool brewery kind of area.

 

And close to a hundred maneki-neko to wave good-bye to us 😺😊