Day 0 - July 20th, trip to the airport:
Our trip started on Friday, the 20th with a 3.5 hour drive from our home in central Illinois to Chicago. We stayed overnight at the Quality Inn, near O'Hare (ORD) International airport.
This is a Park-And-Fly hotel, and our stay and 15 days of parking was less than $100.00. The hotel, while not fancy, was clean and more than adequate for our needs. After we checked in and got settled, it was off to dinner -- at Outback Steakhouse, in Schaumburg, a short drive away. After Dinner, it was back to the hotel to get rested for the flight the next morning.
Day 1 - July 21st, The Flight to the Island:
On Saturday, we got up at about 5:00 am, for a bite to eat and to and to experience the joy's of air travel in today's environment. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" />
We arrived at the Airport at about 6:30 for an 8:45 direct flight to SXM, only to be greeted by a huge line for check in. Finally after about 45 we were checked in and on our way to the gate, only to spend another half an hour in the security line (TSA screening is such a joy) eventually we made it through this hurdle and got to gate.
Once at the gate, we settled in and stared to relax, only to be greeted with an announcement, that our plane had mechanical problems and was out of service. We were given a new gate (in a different concourse, of course) so off we sprint to the new gate. At this point we really thought it it was over and we could start to relax -- but no!! 15 minutes prior to boarding, another announcement: This plane had issues too, and so another gate change, another plane, and now a 1 hour delay while a new plane was located.
Finally, it was time to board, and so we did. The plane was pushed back from the gate and we were off. Five hours later (one hour behind schedule) we were over the beach at SXM.
We deplaned, went through immigration and customs, claimed our baggage, and headed off to find Lesley, and our car. As expected Mr. Bruce was waiting for us, and 5 minutes later we were headed for the Grand Marche, on Bush Road for supplies.
After that stop it was off to Mont Vernon, and our studio. This time we did not have to stop in Grand Case to meet Amuary, for the key -- It was in a lock box next to the studio. This was nice and welcomed touch. After several trips to unload the car, we were "home".
More to come...
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