Big Day

I woke up the day of the wedding slightly hurting.. I could only imagine how bad the others were feeling as I had retired to bed, as they were pulling out a karaoke machine. Outside my window I saw people from the wedding I vaguely recognized, but they were moving slightly more slowly and wearing shades. I found one of Sally's friends (Jane) and joined her on a walk down to the beach. Nothing like jumping in the ocean and being knocked around by monster waves to wake you up. After the swim and an eggs benedict, I felt confident I could get myself together.

We went back to the resort just in time to escape a massive rainstorm. I have never seen rain like this, and I could only imagine the panick and downing of drinks that must have been occuring in the bridal/ bridesmaids unit. It continued to rain the whole day, and we all looked like drowned rats while filing off the bus into the church.... frizzy hair and streaky mascara, and a good 12 hours to go before the walks of shame were to begin!

We forgot about our rain filled shoes when Sally walked into the chapel. She looked beautiful. I tried my best to follow along with the Catholic wedding traditions. I was about 3 seconds behind in all the stand up- sit down- and automatic praying and crossings.

Leaving the chapel we saw to our delight that the rain had let up, and we were free to take the uncovered boat out on the river... YAY! what a relief. the bride and groom showed up, it stopped raining, and the champage was flowing. The reception dinner was great, ad the dancefloor was packed. I seem to remember Ucle Lenny moon walking at one point. by the end of the night I was demanding Jessie's girl from a confused Aussie DJ. Another friend gone to the smug marrieds!

Canadian themed drinks night

The night before Sally's wedding, her parents threw a party in their apartment on the beach. Because "team Canada" had just won the Canada/ Australia olympics, (I missed this pre wedding event, as I was too busy missing my flight at SYD airport, probably a good thing as I would have no doubt been a jet lagged liability, uncoordinated at the best of times)... Anyway, the night's theme was Canada, especially for the Canadian guests and winning olympians... It was a bit connfusing, as it was organized by Aussies, based on their perceptions of Canadian themes. There was, in their defence, Molson, and The Tragically Hip on the play list. I spent the night running away from Sally's uncle Lenny, who with a twinkle in his eye was chasing me around keeping my drink full to the top, and telling off color jokes. I don't think I made it much passed 10pm, and did a sneak off back to my room, as all I could think about was bed.. I needed my beauty sleep before Sally's big day..

Oi Oi Oi

My prayer and Ambien chaser worked, and I landed in Sydney. What happened next was just plain sad and avoidable... a comedy of errors... I was planning on catching a domestic flight up to the sunshine coast.. and had over 2 hours to make the connection. Sounded easy enough. No. Had to line up at the overzealus custom and immigration quaranteen section due to macadamia nuts I had won on the "halfway to Hawaii" game. Thanks alot beagle with a job. Tic toc. Out of customs, I follow the wrong signs, get a bit turned around.. (remnants of the Ambien cocktail to blame? perhaps?) By the time I get the information that I need to take an inter-terminal bus, I realize I am going to have to move it..

So I get to the bus. $5 AUS charge. Excuse me? I thought these things were universaly free! In my wallet I have $7 USD, and about 13 receipts from Starbucks around the world.. so, blood pressure rising, I look for an ATM machine. "OUT OF ORDER". Of course, why not... off to currency exchange booth to exchange my $7.

The next bus came 15 minutes later, and long story short, I get to the check in desk at jet star with 28 minutes before the flight. 30 minute cut off for checked bags. Too tired to cry. I would be missing the Canada/ Aussie Olympics planned by my friend's dad that day. So off to Sydney for lunch with a friend on layover there, and back to the airport 4 hours later. By the time I got to Noosa I had been traveling for about 24 hours. I had 45 minutes to get ready for the bachelorette party. I was the perfect attendee... drunk on one champagne, and speaking a strange dialect.. but I had made it...

To be continued...

VACATION!

Oh... Bliss.. vacation. The only time I love my job. With the exception of 2 days in the middle of my 30 days off.. where I will be scrambling around looking for my uniform.

I just got back from a pretty crazy travel blitz.... a few days in Maui, with my parents, back to San Fransisco for 2 days with friends, and then to Australia.. It was a total whirlwind, and not necessairly very well planned. 10 flights in all... bumped from one, and one missed, (that was my fault)...

MAUI - This was actually quite enjoyable, considering I am a bit old for family vacations! The weather was great, but lots of early bedtimes due to lack of trouble to find on the island of Newlyweds and Nearly-deads.... The weather was great though, and I snorkeled alot.. had a brief romance with a 300lb sea turtle who came up to the surface right in front of my face for air. He was beautiful.. barnicle covered head and all.

After Hawaii, I spent 2 days in San Fran, went for my favorite martinis, (lemongrass) and got bumped from my flight to Sydney. They had weight restricted the flight, but wouldn't believe that jumpseaters are immune to this policy.. They refused to call operations, and just stalled and acted all busy closing up the flight while myself and the other F/A fumed with anger. As they pulled the jet bridge. I was in a state of panic, knowing there were open business class seats, with my bum not in it. My last attempt was to jump up and down waving my ID badge frantically at the cockpit while pointing at my bottom... too late.. they had been told to push.

The next day I decided our agents are not only ignorant, but evil, and was afraid to try my luck on us again.. so I flew to Honalulu.. first class, thank God, bought a concession ticket on Air Canada to Sydney. Mistake. 10 hours on a LEMON. I actually paid attention to where my life vest was, as I thought there was about a 50/50 chance of ditching, by the looks of the aircraft interior. I was also not impressed with the pile of cold cuts, small pickle, stale vacuum packed roll, and cold hard pat of butter that was dinner. It was a sleeping pill with a wine chaser, and a quick prayer, before trying to sleep the majority of the flight..

to be continued