It was a long day flying back to the States. I had bought a series of one way tickets to get the best price and least hassles. From St. Vincent I flew to San Juan. On the flight I met some folks who I had seen in Blue Lagoon and we got chatting. They had seen El Gecco several times and wanted to come over to ask for a tour, but was shy. Where ever she went, she turns heads. There dream was to live on a boat and they had chartered for 3 weeks as they were figuring it all out. They lived in California in a communal environment, and belonged to a Muslim sect. We spent many hours chatting about the world and the differences of people. The husband was one of the first persons to take on the Medical Board of North Carolina when he introduced alternative medicine. The medical board fought him for 10 years and lost. The flood gate of practitioners flowed into the field and they moved on to California and became Muslims as it fitted there alternative healing beliefs. Now they were being watched by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
From San Jan it was to Charlotte and then Myrtle Beach where I got a rental car. What a cultural shock it was being back. Televisions blearing in every corner; everywhere was some electronic stimulation. I got home at 11 pm and at 8 am Gene King was over to cook me breakfast and catch up. Gene and Doris will be joining us for a few days sailing after Christmas. An hour later I picked up the months supply of mail comprising 80% of junk, then drove into Mt. Pleasant to the bank to get cash and review my balances. This was followed by a conference call with American Express, my client in New York whom I was addressing the following day, and then catch a flight to New York City.
The flight was delayed due to weather in NY and after getting my bags, I had to make several calls to find the car service that was fetching me. I got to the hotel late, did another conference call with the client, had a few meetings and began signing 400 books for the audience. Rehearsal was Friday morning, Dec 8 at 7 am and it was hectic. The crew had a few issues to resolve before they could work with me. It was an IMAG (image magnification) show with one camera one screen and involved lighting parameters. We worked through the key elements of my show and off I went to breakfast, dress and be ready. The show was my best ever. I had great material to work with and I was relaxed. 55 minutes flew by and I got another rousing standing ovation. It was then off to lunch where I was mobbed before being seated where I did a Skippers Briefing expanding on my subject matter with 9 American Express leaders.
Two hours later I was back at the airport making my way home to discover my return flight was cancelled due to weather. It was freezing all day with a low of about 12 deg F. What a contrast? I went from wearing only a swimsuit to layers. I was unable to get home that night due to so many delays and cancellations, and opted to fly to Philadelphia and spend the night with my granddaughter. Rick picked me up at the airport at 10:30 pm and I snuck up into Shelby-Graces room to see her. She woke up, lifted her hands to be picked up, which I did, and immediately fell asleep on my shoulder. She is getting bigger and heavier. A few hours in bed and I was up again preparing to leave for the airport. Shelby was awake and we got spend some time together before leaving.
Rick, Shelby and I at 6 am
Back in Charleston it was a rush to get through my list of errands. Meet with Ken to get spare parts of the engine so that I could fix the fuel leak. Meet Geoff for his list of gear and communications equipment. Whole Foods for coffee and the rest of Darlene’s list. Pay bills then home to pack and get what was on my list before dinner with Kate. I had a few hours sleep and it was back to the airport to return the rental car and make the 6 am departure to Charlotte, San Juan and aboard in St. Vincent.
After dealing with a few more delays and issues, I finally raced down the jetway to make the St. Vincent flight having had a wonderful experience with a great US Air flight crew in first class. I forgot my jacket and the flight attended brought it to my departing gate. That was the icing on the tip of an amazing cake. If only all my flight crews were like these two women.
On arrival in St. Vincent, I found my bag with all the spares did not make the flight. I was told that it would be the next day, Monday and that the regional carrier would deliver it to Blue Lagoon. Yesterday afternoon I still did not have my bag on the third day so I headed out to the airport as I could not get answers on the phone. It is now Wednesday and dozens of people are working on trying to find my missing bag. I will let you know when I do get it. We are all waiting.
