I decided to post a day-to-day diary of my trip to see Strife, in America.
So here goes the first chapter:
FridayThe alarm clock chimed annoyingly, but I was already awake. The tension alone had set off an inner clock inside me.
I hit the showers, and digested a minor breakfast (I’m rarely hungry at that time of day). Then I fetched the last of the clean clothes from the laundry room.
Went to NTWF to say goodbye, then I grabbed my baggage, and strolled down to the street, where I called a cab. I reached Copenhagen Airport approximately 9:30, and I went straight to check-in.
I was really nervous about the whole transfer thing – if my baggage would reach the right destination, and if there would be delays… or worse! Cancellations!
But the staff-guy was really nice, and he told me that I would only need to pick up my baggage when I reached Newark. So upon arrival in London, Heathrow, I should just go directly to the transfer check-in.
So after I said goodbye to my dear suitcase (full of good stuff, I tell ya!), I wandered off to the security check. Luckily, I knew my way around, as it wasn’t the first time I had been flying.
Laptop, wallet, keys – all went into a tray, and then my rucksack by itself. I went through the detector doorway… AND IT STARTED BEEPING!! And I was like: Wth?
;
The staff-guy looked at me and smirked: “Well now!” he said teasingly, “let’s see what you’ve got”. Then he frisked me xD
O-kay, I thought, this is like some bad movie or something. But it just turned out to be the bucklers on my boots x)
And to make it –all- better, another staff-person decided to check my entire bag. So out everything went. Luckily… I didn’t have anything embarrassing in there xD
Finally, I could proceed to the lounge room, and I guess it was time for some early lunch. You see, the company who makes food for the SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), were on strike, so there would be no food onboard my flight, at 12:05 pm. So I enjoyed a cheese/ham sub sandwich.
I took a stroll around the shop area, and there were a lot to look at. You could win a hot sports car – if you were lucky. But I thought I’d better not… I like my current car ^^
And then I was all O___O, because scattered all over the airport, were statues of cows! Black and white spotted cows! I would’ve taken so many pictures, but I’m a little paranoid with taking pictures at an airport. In some areas, it is forbidden, and the signs aren’t always clear. I once saw a women get her camera, with pictures from her recent vacation, totally smashed, because she took a picture in a restricted area ,___,
So… no cow pics! But I did get one of the plane I was going to fly with ^^
www.rockmobilen.dk/strife/01.jpgwww.rockmobilen.dk/strife/02.jpgwww.rockmobilen.dk/strife/03.jpg12:05 amFinally I was onboard the first flight.
I’ve always enjoyed flying, so I was naturally excited about this. I even got a seat by the window. Unfortunately I got to sit next to this annoying guy, who just couldn’t sit still, or keep his limbs on –his- side of the seat xP
But, but, but… everything worked out. I had my window and my iPod – so I was ready to go!
The takeoff is my favorite part of flying, and this one in particular, was no exception. I love how I’m being pushed back into the seat, from the speeding up of the plane, and how I can feel the tickle in my stomach when the plane starts to go upwards. All the time, my nose was pressed hard against the window.
I watched as the airport began to shrink below me, and how all the people and vehicles became small as toys, and even smaller yet! Then I saw how the whole of Copenhagen became like this blob of colors below me. The roads were hardly visible, and the clouds began to sweep past the plane.
I took a few pictures. So close to the clouds, it was like a dream world, where the ground was made of whipped cream, and the sky above, was clear blue, and the sun was shining. I put on my music, and drifted into my own world, not even noticing the flight personnel’s enquiries.
Over one hour later, the plane was in English airspace. It had to go through a few, big rain clouds, so we were asked to buckle up, because of the possibility of heavy turbulence.
Some people started to panic a bit, but I was so excited. Turbulence! Yay!
So the plane started to circle downwards though the clouds, and that was quite a bumpy ride. It felt like being on a rollercoaster when going downhill. I couldn’t stop smirking, and laughing on the inside, whenever we’d hit an air pocket.
www.rockmobilen.dk/strife/04.jpgAround 2 pmFinally I had arrived in Heathrow.
This was my first time to travel alone, and I was a bit nervous about the whole transfer thing. Would my baggage make it through alright? Would I make it through alright?
I had seen those TV-programs about Heathrow Airport, and my impression from that was that this airport was humongous! What if I got lost? Eeep!
And another thing: Because of the recent bombing threat, the security had been tightened a lot, so I was also a bit jittery about that (I have issues with people in authority ^^; ). But there was only one way now, and that was straight ahead. So I gathered my rucksack, and followed the mass of people, and eventually ending up at the security check.
I had to take out my laptop, take of my shoes, and then I got frisked… again!!! This time by a very stone faced British woman, who looked like she could use some lovin’ xD
I was clear to go (Yes, Thundy. Don’t be so surprised!), and I went onward, following the signs that said ‘Connecting Flights’. I got to try one of those ‘moving floors’, or whatever they’re called. That was great fun xD
Eventually, I got to the Virgin Atlantic check-in. I figured since it was around 2 pm, and my next flight would be at 4 pm, checking in now would be a good idea.
This is where it all went wrong….
The line to the check-in was SO long, and there were only two people behind the counter. And I was really surprised to see, how insufficient this whole check-in process was. Back in Copenhagen, things just went smoothly, and people got their service quick and painless.
It would seem though, that a lot of flights had either been cancelled or majorly delayed. My heart sank into my bowels. If my flight to Newark had been cancelled, I would start crying. My whole body was shivering, as I stood in line for over an hour. Three people in front of me were going to Boston, but their flight had been cancelled, and they were furious, and I could see that they were on the verge to breaking down into tears. I felt so sad for them :,(
Finally, I got called up to the counter, and this (actually) nice British lady asked for my destination and ticket. Luckily I had done a lot of research before leaving home, so I knew that I was supposed to give them the address of where I would be staying, so I handed her the post-it note where I had scribbled down Strife’s address.
It would seem, that not many people had known that, so she was relieved that she finally got to an ‘easy’ one xD
Unfortunately for me, my plane was delayed for four hours. My mood sank. I wouldn’t be able to catch the final flight in Newark to Rochester now! ,_,
I asked her what I was supposed to do, when I reached Newark, and she told me that my booking would automatically get rescheduled to another flight, as soon as they could see that this flight was delayed, so I shouldn’t worry.
Now all I had to do was to somehow get through to Strife, and tell him that I would be delayed. It was a pain to my heart, because I knew he had an hour drive from his home, to come and pick me up, and the last thing I wanted to be, was a burden. Also, the fact that I wouldn’t get to see him today, was also aching my heart.
So, what to do? Thundy was in France, so I couldn’t text him for help. I couldn’t get through to Tracy, but luckily, Will was there to save the day! (Yes, you’re going to get cookies, for real! x) )
I texted him, but he wasn’t home. But the sweet lad managed to get online, and luckily he caught Strife there and told him about the situation. Will told me, that Strife wanted me to call him at home.
All the payphones were being used, so I went to a more quiet place and used my cell phone (I wonder what my bill looks like when I get home xD ). He picked up, and as soon as I heard his voice, I knew it was going to be alright!
I told him about the situation, and I told him I had no idea when I’d be in Rochester, but it would definitely be past midnight, local time. I told him that I would call him from Newark once I knew the exact time of my rebooked flight. Strife told me that he had thought Will played a cruel joke on him; by saying my plane was delayed. Ah – but it was true. At least it wasn’t cancelled.
So we said goodbye, and I went to find a seat somewhere, among the masses of people. I decided it would be best not to go exploring. So I just sat there… and waited… and waited… and waited. Four hours straight! But even though the only mean of entertainment I had on me, was my music, the hours went by okay. Boredom isn’t a bad thing, as long as you turn it into some ‘spare time’ for you to consider things and use your imagination.
The gate call came suddenly, and I rushed to get there. When I saw the plane, my face went
! The size of that thing…. It was huge! Well, obviously. Since it had to cross the Atlantic Ocean, it had to be a good sized plane xD
But, the series of bad stuff didn’t end there. When we were finally seated in the plane, yet another hour went by. So a total of five hours delay, which only meant, that when I was going to call Strife, he would probably be sleeping -_-;
But the flight was comfortable. There were TV’s at the back of all the seats, and we could pick whatever we wanted to see. I wasn’t in the mood though.
Next to me sat two teenage boys. They were having a good time, and the creepy thing is, that they looked like Thundy and Serv
xDDD They were having some kind of slapping game, which I really don’t need to know about, but it looked like… uhm… fun, I think x)
Dinnertime!
The best flight meal I’ve ever had xD
Pasta and chicken, pasta salad, bread, crackers, pretzels, chocolate pudding, and some more stuff I can’t remember now.
The sleepiness started to creep up on me, but I couldn’t find any rest. I don’t think I’ve ever tried so many different positions of sleep before, but finally I found the best one: Flipping down the small table on the seat, placing the pillow there, and then put my head on the pillow. I was too tired to care about how stupid I looked, sitting with my head like that.
But, at least I got a little bit of shut-eye, thought I would hardly call it sleep x3
The plane arrived in Newark, somewhere around midnight, and then I had to fumble up my phone, to call Strife again... so late... ,_,
Next part up tomorrow ^^
.
And Virgin are generally good flights, I remember going on one as a kid and just playing SNES games on board until I arrived... dunno if they still do that x-D But Virgin, whoo!
