Eternal Nile Day 14
Eternal Nile
DAY 14 - Friday, December 10, 2004 - Return to the U.S.
We were up at 4 AM and all packed for our trip back to the US by 5:00. We walked over to have breakfast being served in the Garden Room.
A little before 6 AM we walked over to the main lobby and identified our luggage so it could be loaded onto the bus. We then left for the airport a little after 6:00 am. This seemed very early for at 10 AM flight, but I guess it was necessary.
We were all on the same flight, leaving from a very crowded terminal so early in the morning. We stood in line a very long time as the OAT people helped us through the exit procedures and the extremely tight security.
As I went through I had to boot up the computer and then shut it down. Then they asked me to take out the battery. When they "requested" that I place the battery in my check in luggage, I told them no, I wanted to us the computer to see videos and work on business. The other half of the OAT group was with us as well as some very pushy folks from the Grand Circle Group!
The flight was almost full, but although there were seats in the back, the flight attendant on Egypt Air made me move back to my seat while others were able to stretch out with full rows of seats. I did work on his photos a bit, and it was a pretty routine flight back to JFK.
The aircraft was no cleaner than the flight over but what made it very difficult was that about every two hours one of the female flight attendants would go to her spot on the aircraft and have a smoke. I could smell it in the air and when she walked down the aisle, I could smell the strong smoke odor on her.
At JFK, we managed to find our way through customs and then recheck our luggage on the flight through Dulles and then back to Denver. It was raining heavily as we rode the SkyTrain to our terminal and made our way to the United Counter to get ready for our next flight.
We had no hang-ups at our counter, being quickly checked in for our flight to Dulles. Charlie and Sylvia were told there were weather delays and we would not make it out in time to make the connection to Dulles.
The agent, a Brazilian, helped us all to change our flights through Chicago and then advised us to get a taxi which would take us to La Guardia and then if we hurried, we could get home tonight! Our luggage would not make it, but at least we would be able to get out of NYC and head towards home.
The taxi line was long and at rush hour everyone was trying to get a cab. We finally managed to get all of us into a taxi and headed through bumper to bumper traffic through NYC. He dropped us off at the United terminal and we were able to get to our gate without much trouble.
The flight was delayed a bit, but we were headed to Chicago. The flight was full and we were all packed in middle or window seats in the truly economy section of the aircraft. We landed in Chicago; rains and wind again, but made the flight to Denver without any concerns.
This was an easy flight, many empty seats and we were able to rest a bit before landing in Denver at 11:50PM. We had no luggage to collect, but while Sylvia and Gennie filled out the paperwork for the lost luggage, I called the Days Inn shuttle bus. It was there in just a few minutes and after a short trip back to the hotel, we collected the Honda and headed home for Monument. What a convenient way to Park and Fly!
After 1:30 AM, and a long day flying from the other side of the world, we were very happy to be home!
If you wish to travel with OAT Click Here.
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A CD OF EACH TRIP IS AVAILABLE.
These CDs are compilations of slide presentations of each day (pictures of the events during the day) accompanied by music reflective of the nation and day.
On most CDs there are presentations on the people of the country, people traveling with the group, flowers, and panoramas.
On more recent trips, short videos have been included on the web pages and these videos are also available in the CD.
The CD is available for $20 US. Shipping and handling is included for US addresses. Slightly higher for overseas shipping.
To view an example of the presentations Click Here
As it is an 8:13 presentation, give yourself time to see it in its entirety.
Please contact garciatrips@gmail.com for more specific information and a screen capture of the CD menu.
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