JFK to MCR & 3 Ways to Not Screw it Up.
- Sep 15, 2013
- 4 min read
I guess there isn't a place better than to start than the beginning. ššš šš¬
At 8 AM my mother and I arrived at JFK airport. I had to pay $91 dollars for an extra suitcase which I thought was going to be $50. I kicked myself in the behind, I couldn't believe I overlooked overpaying. It could have simply been avoided by paying online more than 24 hours before. As soon as it was time to say goodbye, I cried like a baby! I couldn't even stop the tears. I knew I would miss her, NY, home, my family, and friends. I was more than okay with that. There was something about it being real that made me all teary-eyed.
Boarding the plane was awkward. The flight attendant asked to see my ticket which was weird, she then directed me to board, go straight then take a right. WHAT? A RIGHT ON A PLANE? My mind was boggled when I found that there are three sections, two aisles. I sat in the middle where my TV was on a stand connected to the seat. Around 9 AM they served us a full English breakfast: sausage, hash browns, eggs, grilled mushrooms & tomatoes, mixed fruit, yogurt, toast with jam, and of course tea. I slept for about a couple of hours. Upon waking up, I decided I would try to get an alcoholic beverage. The women sitting next to me on both sides gave me some encouragement. The worst they could say was no right? I ordered champagne and a bottle of orange juice. When I went to pay her, she looked at my debit card and told me all drinks were complimentary, including wine and beer. No wonder the flight was still so expensive with a connection. British Airways is awesome! The stewardess kept those flutes coming the entire way to London. I was more than drunk when I arrived at Heathrow Airport.
Off the plane and through the connector flight zone I go. I'm going through customs all happy go lucky and that's when it got awful. I am three people behind the Customs agent. I try to be a good human and start to retrieve my folder of paperwork and my ziplock bag of official documents. There becomes a gap between me and the customs agent. I'm trying to hustle and shove things back into my book bag. I hand the agent my folder and bag of more paper. I hear a guy behind me say "Of course the dumb b**** is American, slowing down the line." I told this guy there was no need to be nasty. When he began to scream at me, I was so surprised... and drunk I screamed at him back, telling him to piss off and wait his turn like everyone else. Then I see the TSA agents. The rude man is still talking rubbish. Of course, an agent steps in and inquires. I was starting to think I would be detained on the best day of my life. Believe it or not, I was asked to move on. Not without comments like "You're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy" and "He's just an old man, move on." They were all making fun of the situation. I just scrambled out of there, kind of appalled and in utter shock at my first real-life impression of Brittain and British people at work and at their leisure.
At the airport in Manchester, MMU left me... Left me in the rain... at the airport with 3 bags at 11 PM. Their excuse was I didn't fill out the airport pick up form on the website within 72 hours. I know what seventy-two hours is. I honestly believe my flight was so late at night AND late coming into Manchester. Anyway, I took a taxi to Amy's where she was a doll. Got me some tea and dinner, I got into some dry clothes I was still upset and hating everyone, but it was perfect right then and there. Sidebar: I met Amy while she was in the same student exchange program I am. Only, she came to Buffalo and a semester before I went to Manchester. She was nice enough to let me stay at hers for the first weekend here, until I found hostel or flat.
The first weekend included an awesome tour of MCR's town hall. Very gothic and old, I loved the architecture in Manchester. Mushy peas or as some call it Manchester caviar šin Deansgate Locks (Also where Amy, her mates & I went out. Took some photos, and a walking tour/getting myself lost/drinking pints with strangers while getting directions.)
Morals of the story:
1. Use a pen to check off your packing/shopping/airport checklist. This way you don't miss something that might cost you. In my case $41 more dollars for a suitcase.
2. Get your paperwork together before you step into a customs line.
3. Do NOT get hammered on the flight as soon as you hit international waters. Especially if your flight is more than a couple of hours. Instead, be as level-headed as you can to get through customs. If you have a connection flight, even better. Find your gate and then the nearest bar. Park it there, and grab one cocktail. Drinking by definition makes you dehydrated. Flying can mess with your digestive system and cause constipation. Sitting for hours upon hours can cause this as well.
Off to begin looking for housing tomorrow. I don't want to overstay my welcome at Amy's.
Comments