The final day of my TD Book Week had me feeling much better after the accidental poisoning the night before. This, of course was good, since I had been worried I wouldn't be able to fly back to my family.
Sandy had to leave me early as the ferry around here is pretty unreliable. The cabby I used to get to the airport told me that the ferry owner is paid for two trips a day whether or not they actually make both trips. So it's pretty much guaranteed for the morning run but in the afternoon it will slalom on through the ice and then give up and not bother with the trip. The people of the area have been promised a new ferry but it keeps getting canceled and delayed. On the other hand, because the ferry leaves Newfoundland and lands in Quebec (just over the boarder) it is the world's fastest ferry. With the time zone change the ferry leaves at 11:00 and arrives at 11:00 since the time change is an hour and a half and the ferry takes an hour and a half.
So I made the cab ride to the airport (which was in Quebec). The cabbie had no receipts in his cab and offered to send me one by e-mail. I really wasn't expected much. But true to his word an e-mailed receipt arrived safe and sound. I arrived at the airport WAYYY early. I pretty much just wanted to go home. Twelve days away from my family had me pretty homesick. Lunch was had out of a vending machine. I chatted with some people in the waiting room. People here are so friendly.
Because the airport is so small they do all the baggage checks by hand. My metal tin of tea raised a bit of alarm, also my metal water bottle - empty. I don't know what they thought they were but once I explained the security lady put them back and carried on riffling through my dirty clothes. After a three hour wait, it was finally time to board.
Sandy had to leave me early as the ferry around here is pretty unreliable. The cabby I used to get to the airport told me that the ferry owner is paid for two trips a day whether or not they actually make both trips. So it's pretty much guaranteed for the morning run but in the afternoon it will slalom on through the ice and then give up and not bother with the trip. The people of the area have been promised a new ferry but it keeps getting canceled and delayed. On the other hand, because the ferry leaves Newfoundland and lands in Quebec (just over the boarder) it is the world's fastest ferry. With the time zone change the ferry leaves at 11:00 and arrives at 11:00 since the time change is an hour and a half and the ferry takes an hour and a half.
So I made the cab ride to the airport (which was in Quebec). The cabbie had no receipts in his cab and offered to send me one by e-mail. I really wasn't expected much. But true to his word an e-mailed receipt arrived safe and sound. I arrived at the airport WAYYY early. I pretty much just wanted to go home. Twelve days away from my family had me pretty homesick. Lunch was had out of a vending machine. I chatted with some people in the waiting room. People here are so friendly.
Because the airport is so small they do all the baggage checks by hand. My metal tin of tea raised a bit of alarm, also my metal water bottle - empty. I don't know what they thought they were but once I explained the security lady put them back and carried on riffling through my dirty clothes. After a three hour wait, it was finally time to board.
Not my plane, I flew with Provincial Airlines. This is another airline.
I flew from Blanc Sablon, Quebec, to St. John's, Newfoundland (a time change of 1.5 hours) and further away from home. The ride was bumpy, but I ran into one of the teachers I met on tour. She was taking three grade twelve students over to the island to see the university, college, and trade schools. One of her students had an appointment to see about becoming a nurse. All the kids were really excited. I don't think they leave their communities very often.
Even though it was a short flight, Provincial Airlines fed me a sandwich and cookies and gave me a drink (all free). I was really glad about this because I was trying to figure out if I could find a decent lunch at the next airport. Provincial Airlines really knows how to take care of their passengers.
At St. John's airport I had to pick up my luggage and check in with Air Canada. Because I had checked in so early at the other airport and because a plane left before I caught mine, I managed to convince myself that my luggage was lost before it even started to move along the belt. I was in such a panic that when it did arrive, I almost missed seeing it. Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy.
Then I couldn't get my passport to work in the Air Canada check in machine and I worried I would never get home. The lady at the counter had me sorted out in minutes - so I really had nothing to worry about. Once everything was done I went to Tim Hortons for a cup of tea to calm my nerves. I think I was just over tired from being up half the night sick - I was also missing my family pretty hard core. I talked to my daughter on the phone and my mood improved.
After that I went though security and into the waiting room. There I hit pay-dirt. My husband had seen the picture of pineapple Crush - a drink we don't have here. He wanted me to bring him back one, but I hadn't see one yet. However, in the waiting room there was a whole machine full of them - and as I was already past security, I could take it in my carry on bag. I spent the two hour wait watching anime on my computer before it was time to board the flight to Toronto. Finally I was heading towards home.
Even though it was a short flight, Provincial Airlines fed me a sandwich and cookies and gave me a drink (all free). I was really glad about this because I was trying to figure out if I could find a decent lunch at the next airport. Provincial Airlines really knows how to take care of their passengers.
At St. John's airport I had to pick up my luggage and check in with Air Canada. Because I had checked in so early at the other airport and because a plane left before I caught mine, I managed to convince myself that my luggage was lost before it even started to move along the belt. I was in such a panic that when it did arrive, I almost missed seeing it. Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy.
Then I couldn't get my passport to work in the Air Canada check in machine and I worried I would never get home. The lady at the counter had me sorted out in minutes - so I really had nothing to worry about. Once everything was done I went to Tim Hortons for a cup of tea to calm my nerves. I think I was just over tired from being up half the night sick - I was also missing my family pretty hard core. I talked to my daughter on the phone and my mood improved.
After that I went though security and into the waiting room. There I hit pay-dirt. My husband had seen the picture of pineapple Crush - a drink we don't have here. He wanted me to bring him back one, but I hadn't see one yet. However, in the waiting room there was a whole machine full of them - and as I was already past security, I could take it in my carry on bag. I spent the two hour wait watching anime on my computer before it was time to board the flight to Toronto. Finally I was heading towards home.
On this plane we could watch movies. It took about three hours to make it from St. Johns to Toronto (and another time jump). I watched Guardians of the Galaxy and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The weather was bad and we got stuck in a holding pattern because of a really big storm that had the airport on red alert. We landed at the exact time I was supposed to be getting on my next plane. Luckily, everyone was running late because of the storm - so I had time to snap a few pictures of the giant aiport, go to the bathroom, and talk to my husband briefly.
It was raining when we boarded the huge plane for Calgary. There were two seats beside me, but no one in them. I sat back and chilled out. Home was only 3.5 hours away.
It was raining when we boarded the huge plane for Calgary. There were two seats beside me, but no one in them. I sat back and chilled out. Home was only 3.5 hours away.
I had time to watch two more movies on this plane so I chose Paddington and the Box Trolls. I was really tired, my body thought it was almost three in the morning, so I nodded off at one point and was startled awake as one of the characters from the Box Trolls yelled for help in my ear.
The air was clear in Calgary. I guess it had snowed in the morning but it was nice at night. We landed and I made my way out of the plane and to the baggage check - and there were my favourite people in the world.
The air was clear in Calgary. I guess it had snowed in the morning but it was nice at night. We landed and I made my way out of the plane and to the baggage check - and there were my favourite people in the world.
I want to thank the Canada Council of the Arts, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries, and all the schools who invited me to work with their awesome students.
Next post I'll tell you all the things I learned in this amazing province. But right now, I'm just going to enjoy being home with my family.
Thank You Labrador!
Next post I'll tell you all the things I learned in this amazing province. But right now, I'm just going to enjoy being home with my family.
Thank You Labrador!
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