Day 4 LA to Quebec

You get the lot... I'm too tired to cut it to size.

Up at 3, despite not falling asleep until almost 2. At least it was some sleep. While reading the end of the BFG at 12, I realised day 3 /4 would be the worst sleep and should have just taken drugs. Maybe next time?

I gulped down breakie and took a cup of tea with me for the drive, realising I left my toast on the bench when I got to the airport, The drive down to the airport was uneventful and easy, leaving at 3:30 and arriving here at 4:15. Said a goodbye to Susan and went in to find a long queue already, mostly a large tour group from Asia, and no one behind the counter until 4:30, when he told us we had to do all the check in/ baggage tags on the machines/terminals before going up to the counter, where there were 3 to serve the whole plane?  

Everyone in this queue was going to Toronto. I had a lovely conversation with a tour guide going to Israel and her friend. They kindly watched my bags, while I joined the rest of the rabble trying to fight their way to a terminal/machine, from both ends of the queue? The large tour group obviously believed they had the numbers and the right to have every machine despite not being first in line.

 I needed a lesson in how to attach the luggage tag, without attaching yourself and making sure you removed your section. Just what you need at 4:45 am, with one hour’s sleep, people jostling everyone else, trying to line up the ends to match. Up through security, where despite TSA pre-approved tick, I had to do the whole shoes off, jackets off, computers out. Finally joined the other “desperates” at Starbucks for a tea (which included two extra large tea bags!!!!! Getting me ready for airline tea?)

And then the lovely quiet time to wait, with a variety of languages and conversations happening around me… boarding in 40 minutes…

Well that was the plan. We actually boarded later and took off a half an hour later than timetabled which caused issues at Quebec.

There was quite a bit of turbulence going across the centre of America. I waved to all my friends in Nebraska (who would have been in Texas), waved to my penfriend in Iowa, and to all the other people I know who live up that end of the country. No GF of course, so I had my own food. What was amazing was the totally different colour of the countryside. Green in September/ October, but now browns with some shades of autumn leaves. But the biggest issue was that they gave me a window seat again- good for photos, but I NEVER ask for one because on a flight that long I need to use the facilities. Two young men between me and the aisle. Both who slept the whole way. After three hours I needed to go and gently tapped the man next to me- no response even when the tapping was more insistent. So I told myself I could last a bit longer, but by the fourth hour the man next to me moved and I grabbed his arm and woke him up. Then we both climbed over the aisle guy who could not be woken.

We arrived in Toronto late, and the airport is large and I had to clear customs/ security again, which slowed the process down. I didn’t have to run, but I definitely had to keep moving quickly. Consequently, by the time I found my gate for Quebec, they were not only lining up, they were boarding. I had the last seat in the Dash 8 plane. Life lesson to self “Do NOT order hot tea if you are last to be served” It was brewed and stewed. So strong and barely warm. A real effort to drink, and no real option to dump it.

Next issue of that flight: I take my computer out of my bag so it won’t get squashed in the overhead locker. Bad move on this flight. When I picked it up from the floor, I discovered it was wet! Obviously a spilt drink under there- probably someone's cup of tea. I quickly removed all the bits from the cover and returned the computer to my case, holding onto the soggy cover.

Next: I got the carousel and no bags yet, so I went to the toilet and thought I could hear something over the PA, continued to the cubicle and once again thought it was sounding familiar. When I came out of the cubicle I asked the ladies what the message said - “they are calling for someone ‘Borrow/ Burrow’”. What? That must be me. So I asked the guards and they weren’t too sure, but showed me the counter.

YES folks it had finally happened. No check in bag for me. It was held up at customs in Toronto and didn’t make the plane. It would be delivered tomorrow at 10 am. Now I wonder if the issue was Sarah’s boxes of pro-biotics, boxes of Shapes, or the bulk of my medications- possibly none of the above and just the tight connection.

Slight issue I catch the train to Toronto at 8:05 am. Try explaining that when you have just got off a flight from Toronto? Next issue is trying to describe a case, remember your phone number and where you are staying when you haven’t had enough sleep over the last few days. The man went to great lengths to tell me that it was not lost- just delayed and “maybe“…it might be delivered tonight about 11pm. If not, after our discussions, he would send it back to Toronto to the hotel I'll be staying at tomorrow night.

Now this was going to be a real issue. My plan was to travel extra light and leave this big bag in Quebec. It also had my pj’s in it, toilet bag and items I was going to need on my train journeys, including my coat. Worse case scenario: my bag “should be in Toronto” when I get there. I will plead my case at the hotel and leave it there while I go down to Niagara and then I’m going to have issues with it on the train journeys after Toronto when I go to Montreal > Quebec. OF COURSE you are penalised for having a bag on the trains that weighs more than 18 kgs and mine will come in at 21kgs.  

Finally filled in all the forms and out the door to a waiting Tim and a temperature of 2C and dark at 6:30. A warning about all the cold germs in the house on the quick drive home. Greeted by Sarah, Lachie, Heather, John, a welcome cup of tea and homemade soup for dinner. Lachie entertained us all with his “bling”-Sarah’s necklaces. Thankfully I was able to recharge all my items ready for tomorrow.  I dried my computer cover and computer base and typed up today’s adventures.

So tired, but will have to wait up until at least 11- for the best ‘case’ scenario.