Prague.
I often ponder while sipping a soda in this miraculous position (I don’t mean squashed in an uncomfortable seat for up to 15 hours is miraculous although on second thoughts, it could be). ‘Why am I sitting and drinking from a pathetic plastic cup or using utensils that are so insulting that they make eating a stew dish with one’s hands appear respectable?’ (There are many airlines that provide far superior service and care compared with the US airlines, the nation that founded and developed the industry including being the manufacturer of a large percentage of the world’s flying machines.)
I often ponder while sipping a soda in this miraculous position (I don’t mean squashed in an uncomfortable seat for up to 15 hours is miraculous although on second thoughts, it could be). ‘Why am I sitting and drinking from a pathetic plastic cup or using utensils that are so insulting that they make eating a stew dish with one’s hands appear respectable?’ (There are many airlines that provide far superior service and care compared with the US airlines, the nation that founded and developed the industry including being the manufacturer of a large percentage of the world’s flying machines.)
Some years ago, we boarded an airline and as we hiked down the aisle, avoiding the pitfalls and dangers that abound along these narrow passages, I noticed a vibrant cabin crew member. I said to her: ‘It’s good to join you on the “The World’s Favorite Airline”’. For those old enough to remember (and care), that was the slogan of British Airways, formerly BOAC. She looked toward me, gave me a wonderful smile and said ‘and which planet have you been visiting for the last ten years?’ Actually, she didn’t but her ‘Yeah, right’ was the equivalent sentiment. I was trying to be nice as well as friendly but she saw right through my obvious nonsense.
We now fast forward following a reserved flight from Sofia, Bulgaria to San Diego, USA, with American Airlines. Because of code-sharing and strategic alliances (whatever that means), the first leg of our return journey would be to London using the world’s former favorite airline. Could we be setting up for a major coincidence and come across that same BA employee? Well, let’s see. We arrived at the airport very early as we had to return our rental car which we had already extended for a further 4 hours following a 67-days contract. The journey began well as we had not added any further dents or scratches to the already dented vehicle. That’s always a bit of a stressful issue but we passed over that hurdle easily. We were off to a good commencement. After a couple of hours in the airport of exciting down-time, the check-in counter opened, we handed over our baggage, collected boarding passes and headed to the lounge to await a call to board.
Slovakia.
Prague.
Things were not feeling quite right because at departure time, we were still sitting in the lounge. Unfortunately, the airline’s communication was less than ideal. Finally, we were called and headed for the gate. Things were looking good and as we had a long layover in London, a late arrival would not affect us adversely. We had exchanged leva for sterling, giving us some extra spending power in case our credit cards were insufficient. We were prepared for London.
Prague.
Things were not feeling quite right because at departure time, we were still sitting in the lounge. Unfortunately, the airline’s communication was less than ideal. Finally, we were called and headed for the gate. Things were looking good and as we had a long layover in London, a late arrival would not affect us adversely. We had exchanged leva for sterling, giving us some extra spending power in case our credit cards were insufficient. We were prepared for London.
Unfortunately, the line of passengers halted followed some twenty minutes later by the first boarders returning to the lounge after walking past us queuing to board. We made a U-turn. It then got a little awkward as nobody seemed to know the next steps, besides back to the lounges. By way of rumors and comments from other passengers, it seemed the flight might be cancelled although no one could be certain. After another wait, the flight was announced cancelled because of a technical issue. Apparently, the pilot thought he was drinking Coke Zero but it was in fact Diet Pepsi laced with both Scotch and Vodka. I kid you but it may have been as there was no communication to counter the presumption.
What should a person do? Where would we spend the night? What flight would be available, if any? Would we make our connection? Travel on planes is not without a level of excitement. Not speaking more than 3 words of Bulgarian also added further difficulties to our predicament. Suddenly, the thought of drinking from and eating with plastic utensils seemed rather quaint. Heck, I missed sitting on a plane at 35,000 feet sipping even flat Coke. There were no British desks open for discussions with personnel, but we took a chance and approached a local, general airport worker. Good break. Although it wasn’t definite, it appeared we should make our way via taxi to the Ramada Hotel downtown where our favorite airline had apparently made prior arrangements.
Slovakia.
Jen approaching the final stretch below the peak in Slovakia.
Jen approaching the final stretch below the peak in Slovakia.
Long story short—we took a taxi, arrived at the entrance and noticed familiar faces from the airport. So far so good. We checked in which time was close to midnight. The receptionist advised that breakfast would be covered, access to the pool and jacuzzi would be available, also at no charge. Man, we were back on a relaxing holiday. Of course, she did not mention, because she obviously did not know, what we should do after breakfast which would be served from 6-10am. We still had to get to London, fly across the Atlantic to North Carolina and then further west for another 5 hours, try to collect our car which had not been used for 3.5 months and check in with Renee at Allied Gardens, probably some 35 hours later. At that stage, nothing seemed more exciting than a beverage sipped out of a plastic container with a deep crack, at high altitude. It’s incredible how quickly one’s perceptions can change.
Slovakia.
We fired up the laptops in order to try to gain some information from the British. However, we know they generally play it close to the chest or vest. We wondered, if only for a short while, whether the war of independence was still on the minds of some diehards. However, we wanted to make it clear to the British that this was not our issue—we did not have an opinion one way or the other. We had our own battle in South Africa many years before—we were not interested in opening another front. There was a dearth of information, but someone mentioned we could expect an update...sometime. Terrific! We showered and prepared for bed. At about 2am, maybe later, although it was very early, I was checking my emails as well as the New York Stock Exchange (9 hours behind us) when I noticed a pertinent email. Our flight was announced.
We fired up the laptops in order to try to gain some information from the British. However, we know they generally play it close to the chest or vest. We wondered, if only for a short while, whether the war of independence was still on the minds of some diehards. However, we wanted to make it clear to the British that this was not our issue—we did not have an opinion one way or the other. We had our own battle in South Africa many years before—we were not interested in opening another front. There was a dearth of information, but someone mentioned we could expect an update...sometime. Terrific! We showered and prepared for bed. At about 2am, maybe later, although it was very early, I was checking my emails as well as the New York Stock Exchange (9 hours behind us) when I noticed a pertinent email. Our flight was announced.
Phew! It was scheduled for 6am, departing from Sofia Airport to Frankfurt, Germany with Lufthansa. Apparently, the British felt this was one battle they could not win and believed the Germans should take further responsibility. So, here’s the deal. We had booked the flight through American Airlines but would not be flying with American. However, we began receiving emails from the latter airline expecting to fly with them from London. So much for communication and state of the art phones, computers and drones. We still feel nostalgic for the old (actually, young) reliable pigeons. Apparently, our new flight path would be via Frankfurt, then London and a non-stop through to San Diego. Should we make the connections, it would amount to an improved schedule. It appeared that the Americans would be taking a break, giving their staff ample time to wash and dry our plastic containers from earlier flights—not having to recycle plastic but wasting water, soap and manpower (female, too—I nearly missed that).
Budapest.
The new arrangement meant we would have to depart from the hotel at say 3:45am (we slept less than an hour), forfeit breakfast, miss a swim and time in the jacuzzi, find a taxi at that early hour as well as recheck our baggage. Then there were the issues of duplication of other procedures such as re-ticketing, security and immigration checks and re-boarding, in order to make the connection in London, where the world’s favorite airline would be awaiting our arrival. We had no issue finding a taxi as we learned as long as British Airlines fly to Bulgaria, the frequent delays keep the taxi operators gainfully employed.
We’ll spare you further details, but we did board Lufthansa on time although we sat on the tarmac (in the plane, of course) for an hour because of weather problems in London. This created further apprehension but surprisingly, we made it. We envisaged being stuck in London and because weather is not the fault of the airline, having to make our way without the wonderful assistance of the airline.
Vihren Peak, Bulgaria.
The airliner, a monster in size, proved to be a superb jet. The flight was excellent, the food service and drinks followed the style of US airlines but who really cared at that stage. Further good news was that we arrived in San Diego ahead of schedule. See! I mentioned what a great airline the British bring to the table…I mean to the sky. Time is running out so I’ll bring this to a conclusion. We stood at the baggage carousel in San Diego eagerly awaiting our two large items. We were a little tired having begun the journey some 35 hours earlier. Actually, it was a lot earlier because the day began when we awoke to drive from Devin to Sofia, some 13 hours before planned departure. We continued to await our 2 pieces knowing nothing further could go wrong. After all, no airline could get everything wrong. We noticed the carousel halted. Both bags were lost or missed the plane or had arrived a day earlier. Could things get better or worse? In retrospect, both.
The airliner, a monster in size, proved to be a superb jet. The flight was excellent, the food service and drinks followed the style of US airlines but who really cared at that stage. Further good news was that we arrived in San Diego ahead of schedule. See! I mentioned what a great airline the British bring to the table…I mean to the sky. Time is running out so I’ll bring this to a conclusion. We stood at the baggage carousel in San Diego eagerly awaiting our two large items. We were a little tired having begun the journey some 35 hours earlier. Actually, it was a lot earlier because the day began when we awoke to drive from Devin to Sofia, some 13 hours before planned departure. We continued to await our 2 pieces knowing nothing further could go wrong. After all, no airline could get everything wrong. We noticed the carousel halted. Both bags were lost or missed the plane or had arrived a day earlier. Could things get better or worse? In retrospect, both.
Via Ferrata, Bulgaria.
Eagle Eye, Bulgaria.
En route to Kutelo Peak, Bulgaria.
Should we seek a Lyft directly to our accommodation and collect our vehicle the next day? That would avoid risk of dealing with a flat battery and driving thereafter in a daze. We elected to collect the car then because we appear to live dangerously, at times. The engine started on the first try—that’s called a minor miracle. We arrived at the apartment with 2 carry-ons, very little food and some communication with British Airways.
Eagle Eye, Bulgaria.
En route to Kutelo Peak, Bulgaria.
Should we seek a Lyft directly to our accommodation and collect our vehicle the next day? That would avoid risk of dealing with a flat battery and driving thereafter in a daze. We elected to collect the car then because we appear to live dangerously, at times. The engine started on the first try—that’s called a minor miracle. We arrived at the apartment with 2 carry-ons, very little food and some communication with British Airways.
For the record, one case was delivered to us 7-days after our arrival in San Diego, the other fourteen days after reaching the city. Each morning, we would receive at 5am, 2 texts and a couple of emails regarding the status of the baggage. The messages were always standard indicating the bags had been placed on a plane and would be delivered the next day. “Yeah, right!”
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
Polezhan Peak, Bulgaria.
Banderitza slopes, Bansko.
Before the climb in Pamporovo. .
Orpheus Rocks, above Smolyan.
After nearly 2 hours climbing, Jen faces the last hurdle, Mount Vihren.
Before the climb in Pamporovo. .
Orpheus Rocks, above Smolyan.
After nearly 2 hours climbing, Jen faces the last hurdle, Mount Vihren.
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