Saturday, July 23, 2011
AFRICA!
I apologize for not posting recently, but my access is somewhat limited right now. This is my first time on the internet since getting to South Africa. Let me just say that everything is going GREAT and I LOVE it! I will work to make some longer posts in the coming weeks. Til then, just remember...clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Here we go...
First off, before I begin this post, I'd like to welcome all the new people who, as a result of the email advertisement I sent out the other day, are now checking in. I don't want to do the infomercial too much, but if you do like the blog, become a follower by clicking "Follow" in the righthand pane. This gives me some idea of how many people are reading and enjoying my posts (which gives me incentive to keep posting). Also, please leave your comments on each post as to what you like, don't like, questions, etc. While this blog is partly to be a reflection and record of my time in South Africa, it is also written for the audience, which is y'all, and I want to do the best I can to make it something people are interested in.
So anyways, with that spiel done, let's get down to business. I left Huntsville (that's my hometown in Texas for all those unacquainted), for the Houston airport bright and early on Tuesday morning. After having packed and planned madly for the past week or so and pulled an all-nighter my final night before leaving, I felt that I was about as prepared as I ever could be. Alas, my preparing was no match for American Airlines (AA).
I showed up at George Bush airport, running behind schedule, so my sister and I proceeded directly to the ticket counter while my Mom parked the car. I knew that one of my bags was probably overweight, but I had been told that many times airlines will waive baggage fees for Peace Corps volunteers, and figured that something could be figured out. In a word, No. Upon getting to the front of the line, I was informed that no waiver would be given unless I was leaving Washington, D.C. on another flight within 24 hours. The fact that orientation, which of course is not a less-than-one-day affair, was taking place was greeted by the response "that makes no difference to me". Ok, I kind of don't like you now AA employee who I will graciously leave unnamed.
So I lugged the bags onto the scale only for the attendant to inform me that it would cost $60 to check both bags, but that he could sell me a duffle bag for $35 to spread things out and reduce the cost. Like I said before, I was already running late and worried about missing my flight, so my sister and I decided that the cost savings was not enough to justify the potential risk of not making the gate on time. I gave my credit card to the AA employee, who scanned the card and handed me a receipt saying that the total for the checked luggage had been $160: $60 for the checked bags plus $100 for an overweight baggage fee. My sister and I were incredulous. The man had never mentioned the extra fee and had said it would cost only $60. Alright, man. Now I really don't like you. Well, at this point, there was absolutely no way I could take the time to have the employee cancel the transaction, try to move things around to meet the weight restriction, rerun the transaction, and still make my flight. I did later lodge a complaint, but I doubt it will do much good. Enjoy your extra $100 American Airlines.
Fortunately, the rest of my trip to D.C. was without incident, and I slept pretty much the entire way on the connecting flight to Dallas and then on to Washington (spending the entire night before planning and packing will do that to you). Upon arrival at Reagan airport, I was picked up by my Aunt Nancy, who lives in the D.C. area and spent a relaxing evening and next morning at her house. Dinner was a delicious bison burger at a restaurant called The Stray Cat washed down by, what else?, Stray Cat Ale. If you ever are in the Arlington, Virginia area, I would highly recommend looking up this place or its sister establishment in the same shopping center, The Lost Dog
Well, even though I am sitting here in the hotel in D.C. having just completed my "staging" i.e. Peace Corps orientation, I am simply too tired to devote myself to what is going to be an enormous post regarding my staging experience today. Check back in a few hours, as I am going to have plenty of time to concentrate the appropriate attention while I sit in the Atlanta airport waiting to head to Johannesburg. Until then, you stay classy (substitute your locale).
So anyways, with that spiel done, let's get down to business. I left Huntsville (that's my hometown in Texas for all those unacquainted), for the Houston airport bright and early on Tuesday morning. After having packed and planned madly for the past week or so and pulled an all-nighter my final night before leaving, I felt that I was about as prepared as I ever could be. Alas, my preparing was no match for American Airlines (AA).
I showed up at George Bush airport, running behind schedule, so my sister and I proceeded directly to the ticket counter while my Mom parked the car. I knew that one of my bags was probably overweight, but I had been told that many times airlines will waive baggage fees for Peace Corps volunteers, and figured that something could be figured out. In a word, No. Upon getting to the front of the line, I was informed that no waiver would be given unless I was leaving Washington, D.C. on another flight within 24 hours. The fact that orientation, which of course is not a less-than-one-day affair, was taking place was greeted by the response "that makes no difference to me". Ok, I kind of don't like you now AA employee who I will graciously leave unnamed.
So I lugged the bags onto the scale only for the attendant to inform me that it would cost $60 to check both bags, but that he could sell me a duffle bag for $35 to spread things out and reduce the cost. Like I said before, I was already running late and worried about missing my flight, so my sister and I decided that the cost savings was not enough to justify the potential risk of not making the gate on time. I gave my credit card to the AA employee, who scanned the card and handed me a receipt saying that the total for the checked luggage had been $160: $60 for the checked bags plus $100 for an overweight baggage fee. My sister and I were incredulous. The man had never mentioned the extra fee and had said it would cost only $60. Alright, man. Now I really don't like you. Well, at this point, there was absolutely no way I could take the time to have the employee cancel the transaction, try to move things around to meet the weight restriction, rerun the transaction, and still make my flight. I did later lodge a complaint, but I doubt it will do much good. Enjoy your extra $100 American Airlines.
Fortunately, the rest of my trip to D.C. was without incident, and I slept pretty much the entire way on the connecting flight to Dallas and then on to Washington (spending the entire night before planning and packing will do that to you). Upon arrival at Reagan airport, I was picked up by my Aunt Nancy, who lives in the D.C. area and spent a relaxing evening and next morning at her house. Dinner was a delicious bison burger at a restaurant called The Stray Cat washed down by, what else?, Stray Cat Ale. If you ever are in the Arlington, Virginia area, I would highly recommend looking up this place or its sister establishment in the same shopping center, The Lost Dog
Well, even though I am sitting here in the hotel in D.C. having just completed my "staging" i.e. Peace Corps orientation, I am simply too tired to devote myself to what is going to be an enormous post regarding my staging experience today. Check back in a few hours, as I am going to have plenty of time to concentrate the appropriate attention while I sit in the Atlanta airport waiting to head to Johannesburg. Until then, you stay classy (substitute your locale).
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