Good-bye Vermont , Hello Florida
DATE: January 4, 2012
Day #: Embarkation Day minus 2
I. AGENDA
A. MORNING
I walked into Burlington International Airport with a checked bag and carry-on bags that were dusted with snow. The temperature was two degrees above zero.
I had packed and shipped some winter gear, so only had the pantsuit and turtleneck to keep me warm. No boots, no gloves, no coat. Hey, I was headed to Florida – wasn’t it going to be warm there? (Ummm, not really, as It turned out.)
I was reminded of an email from my brother about “photos of Wal-Mart shoppers” as I was standing in the check-in line. I had begun a conversation with the couple in front of me, when we both noticed a woman bend over to put her bag onto the scale - a plump, middle-aged woman in vibrant makeup and wearing silver spangled wedges, black iridescent tights, a black scooped-neck stretched-the-max jersey top, and a black furry hip-length coat. If there was a skirt, which we doubted, it was tangled into her coat. (Figured I had found Lulu’s twin; never did see Stephanie Plum.) Rolling our eyes skyward, we said at the same time, “Mighty cold for that outfit”, “Oh my!”, and “Hello it’s zero outside!” She flounced off to security, cheeks wobbling.
I thought the inspectors would go through every inch of the carry-ons since they were packed full of jewelry, electronics, and camera gear. I was fully prepared to dump all the contents, go though the lengthy explanation of being on a cruise for four months, and repack it all. I even factored in the extra time it would take. To my surprise, I cleared security without a hitch. Maybe they were still shell-shocked from the so-obviously-not-a-Vermonter woman in front of me.
There are places where one becomes a zombie – not really noticing one’s surroundings – for example, the grocery store, the mall at Christmas, an airport. We are so wrapped in our own endeavors that we fail to notice a familiar face in the crowd. Not so this morning, as I spied a good friend and his partner exiting the newly arrived Jet Blue flight. It’s always amazing to me how much of each one’s life can be condensed into a five-minute conversation. I gave them my card with the blog address as they “ooohed” and “aaahed” at my destination(s).
B. AFTERNOON
The flight left Burlington International Airport promptly at 11:00 am. It’s always a quick and smooth flight to New York City. After an interval of about three hours at JFK Airport, Jet Blue terminal, a healthy lunch (for me!), and a side trip to the Ex Officio store, I boarded another plane for the leg to Fort Lauderdale at 3:30 pm. Same friendly seat-mate as on the flight down from Vermont, what are the odds?
As we were taxiing into line, the two attendants suddenly jumped up and headed to the back of the plane. I didn’t have a “rearview mirror” in my row 2 seat, so didn’t catch what was happening; but then the attendants returned, and the plane got out of line and headed back toward the Jet Blue terminal. After a few more twists and turns, though, we finally got onto a runway and took off about 4:30 pm. It was a smooth flight to Fort Lauderdale, but then we couldn’t deplane because there was “a medical emergency and paramedics needed to come on board first”. So we waited and waited and waited. Finally, they called one fellow forward and then we were allowed off the plane. No further explanation, lots of uniforms at the exit ramp; but we were still on time, in one piece, so no harm, no foul in my opinion.
C. EVENING
I found the Holland America rep who loaded my bags onto the bus. Gee, a whole 55-passenger bus just for me. Just for kicks, I was going to sit in the last seat; but didn’t. Anita (my cruise-mate) was waiting for me in the hotel lobby. We are staying at the Fort Lauderdale Hilton. Others are staying at the Embassy Suites or the Westin. Maybe tomorrow we will meet up with others staying here who are going on our cruise
I am so glad to be back on terra firma. I hate flying. Always have. Interesting that on this cruise I will have approximately 14 flights (because of the overland excursions). Oh well. Time to enjoy one more day on land before heading off to sea.
Good night for now.
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