Phew!

 I just want to vent a bit about the crazy day I had yesterday. I was supposed to fly from San Diego to Lima, Peru, with one layover, on United Airlines. But in the morning, right when I was about to leave for the airport, I got an email from United saying the flight was canceled due to a mechanical problem. Not delayed, canceled! I was supposed to meet a friend in Peru coming from a different U.S. city who was arriving about the same time as me. Our plans for the next couple of days would be ruined because I wouldn’t arrive in time to join him on another flight to an Amazonian part of Peru. (There was just one flight a day, and none the next day.)

So I called United and talked a long time, trying to come up with a solution, even in any other airline. But nothing worked. The I ha an epiphany: there was a flight leaving from Los Angeles in less than four hours that would get me there just in time to catch up with my friend and make that internal Peruvian flight. So I rushed to my car and drove like a bat out of hell, going about 90 mph most of the way, which I never do. My only hope was that the traffic would be light. That almost never happens, but luck was on my side. I made it to the L.A. airport in exactly two hours and put my car into long term parking. Then I had to do running , so much running! Luckily, I only had a carry on and backpack. But the L.A. airport is huge and my flight gate was very far away. I ran and ran and made it just in time, as they were finishing last call. I was elated that plan had worked.

I thought my troubles were over. But no. My new plan was to fly from L.A. to El Salvador then El Salvador to Lima, Peru. I had a three and a half our layover in El Salvador, so I assumed everything would be fine. But first we just flew in circles over El Salvador, waiting for permission to land. Then, the plane landed in Guatemala City, Guatemala, instead! Suddenly, I was very worried I wouldn’t make my next flight. To make matters worse, the plane took time refueling. As we waited, I looked at options if I missed my next flight. I would be even more screwed, stuck in El Salvador.

The plane finally took off, heading to El Salvador again. I was sweating bullets, hoping we’d make it in time. It was a very close call. I did another mad run through an airport and made it just in time, at last call. From there, it was smooth sailing to Lima, Peru. I was able to get on that flight to an Amazonian part of Peru with just a couple of hours to spare.

Anyway, that’s my story. I don’t know the point, except f—United Airlines. For all my troubles, they gave me a 100 voucher for another flight with them and another voucher for a free meal. Whoopdedoo.