11/17-18/12 From the Team

                The packing party went well.  We learned how to plastic wrap wheelchairs and crutches/walkers together.  Somehow we managed to load the luggage and wheelchairs into one truck.  All was ready to go for our three connecting flights on Saturday.  Little did we know… we were in for a great surprise.

                First, Dr. Schoeneberg did not receive her boarding pass for the international flight to Peru without any explanation given.  We did not think much of it at the time, because they told us we could get the boarding pass in Miami.  Going through security, Carrie was pull aside by TSA for “the world’s cheapest massage.”  We arrived safely in Dallas where we relaxed and played cards on our makeshift table.  The plot thickened (Dun, dun, dunnn…) when Dr. Schoeneberg was informed that the flight to Peru was full and that she would have to check if a seat was available in Miami.  Our one hour layover went by quickly and we boarded the plane headed to Miami.  Unfortunately, we sat on the plane for 30 minutes due an overhead compartment not closing.  At that time, the flight attendant became “a mechanic” due to his ability to duct tape the overhead compartment closed.

                We arrived in Miami with only 50 minutes to catch our international flight.  Luckily for us, we got in our cardio for the day having to run through the entire airport from Concourse D to Concourse J (see picture, no really, look at the picture).  Once we finally got there, after 25 minutes of “booking it”, we still had to get the boarding pass.  LONG WAIT IN LINE.  After fighting to the ticket counter, Dr. Schoeneberg finally received her boarding pass.  Then it was onto security.  LONG WAIT IN LINE.  Traveling tip: Don’t ever pack a white powdery substance… also known as bisquick... especially when traveling to South America.  LONG WAIT IN LINE.  Now onto our second bout of cardio, we sprinted to Gate J12 with only 9 minutes until departure.  We arrive at the gate with 5 minutes to go ecstatic seeing the plane still docked.  With the finish line in sight, we hear the dreaded words from “The Gate Keeper” in a Darth Vader voice, “Too late, the door is already closed.  The next flight out to Peru is in 7 hours.” 

With breakfast being our last meal, hunger had set in… if only we had bisquick.  With our body in survival mode, the hunt for food began.  The hunt did not last very long as we stopped at the first restaurant we saw, The Caribbean Café.  After a quick 3 minute wait for 3 grilled chicken and steak, something didn’t add up.  How can you cook a chicken in 3 minutes?  After one bite, we decided… you can’t.  

                Five hours after the chicken, we board our plane in destination to Lima, Peru, with an arrival time of 5:30am.  After we board the plane, we waited an hour before it finally took off.  We then realized we were the only ones excited about our personal touch screen entertainment system attached to the back of the seat in front of us.  We fell asleep for 1-2 hours while the feature presentation, Contagion, played to the sounds of fellow passengers coughing. 

                To be continued.  Tune in to find out how this adventure unfolds.

 DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG WAS WRITTEN ON 4-6 HOURS OF SLEEP OVER A 72 HOUR PERIOD COMBINED BETWEEN 4 PEOPLE.  (WE ARE LAUGHING DILERIOUSLY AT THIS VERY MOMENT, BUT THIS IS THE TRUE STORY.)