So, we started out really well; we got most of what we wanted packed into our 4 large suitcases and 4 carry on bags (we knew we wouldn't be able to bring everything, I expected to fit less actually) and we got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Because our flight was at 10pm, the airport was not very busy so it didn't take long at all to get checked in and through security. We got to our gate, which we both thought was pretty swanky.
And for the first time in a while we didn't have anything that had to get done, all we could do was sit and relax and be excited that the big move we'd been planning for 9 or so months was actually here.
And then the time we thought we should have started boarding passed...and we started boarding a little late. We weren't too worried, our connecting flight had a three hour layover so we figured even if we leave an hour late, we'll be fine.
It was the first night in a week, maybe more, that the weather wasn't too great, of course that would happen the night we had to fly. But it didn't seem bad enough to delay the 10pm flight. But as we sat on the tarmac and 10pm passed, it kept getting worse.
Finally the captain let us know that we were going to be delayed, but not because of the weather; (this is not going to be very technical) the thing that stopped one of the engines from icing wasn't working, but he said don't worry, it will get fixed and we'll fly out tonight...four hours later, after the power to the plane had gone out once, the wind was creating problems with the repairs so he called it quits. Four. Hours. Later.
So at 2am we all got off the plane and were told our three options: 1) stay at a hotel they were putting us up in for the "night", 2) use the free limo service to get driven home, 3) try to find another flight on your own.
So we went and got our bags, all 4 of them, and lugged them to the lineup for the buses to take us to the hotel. We thought about going back to my mom and dad's place (an hour's drive away) but that would have been silly since our new flight was scheduled for 6pm that same evening, and it probably would have been almost 4 am by the time we got there, if the roads weren't terrible.
I'm not sure how long we waited in line for the bus, but we got on eventually and then arrived at the hotel around 4am. It was windy and raining and there were no hotel staff to help us with our bags, so we dragged them up this ridiculous hill and got in line to check in to our rooms. We finally got into our room by 5am.
The airline had said that they would get in touch with us to confirm the new flight, but that we could call them just to make sure, which is what we chose to do. Unfortunately, we couldn't call until 9am, and I wanted to call as soon as possible so after 4 hours of not sleeping, I called.
Well, the airline hadn't booked us on a new flight...not according to the three different people I spoke to on the phone. Not one of them had any information about a new flight, in fact according to two of them, last night's flight had taken off. Eventually I got someone to book us on a new flight, at 6:30pm, and give us confirmation of this. They also told me that because our flight was cancelled, our extra bags that we bought were refunded and we'd have to buy them again. When I checked the prices they had almost tripled what we originally paid, but all they could tell me was that I could put in a claim for the difference once we'd landed. Well I didn't bother buying the new bags, we figured we'd talk to the person at the check in desk once we got to the airport. And that worked out fine, it did get fixed and no new money had to be paid.
If we hadn't been so tired, frustrated and angry, we would have enjoyed the hotel. It was pretty fancy, right on the water.
The view from our hotel room.
The airline sent buses to take us back to the airport at 2pm and when we arrived our line was gigantic, of course. But we got through check in and security, again, finally and still had time to spare. Back to the swanky gate, but at least we were leaving this time. Right?
Wrong. With 15 minutes before our new flight was scheduled to take off, the plane still wasn't even at the gate. Everyone was obviously wondering what the heck was going on, and there hadn't been any announcement. I can't remember how long after the take off time they finally told us something, probably half an hour or so, but guess what? That problem that didn't get fixed almost 24 hours ago still wasn't fixed! But don't worry, in an hour and a half we'll leave. Okay...fine.
There were probably 2 or 3 more announcements assuring us that we would leave tonight, but it would be another blah blah blah so just hang tight. We each got $20 credit for food while we waited, and we ended up sitting at the gate for 5 hours after we were supposed to leave. Finally around 11:30 we boarded and we took off at 12:15am on December 30th.
So long story short:
Original flight- 10:00pm December 28th
New flight- 6:30pm December 29th
Actual departure- 12:15am December 30th
We'd missed 2 scheduled connecting flights and an entire day in Leiden (where we stayed before heading down to Maastricht) but we were finally leaving Canada (and I only say it that way because of all the waiting, I love Canada).
On the plane for the second time, finally about to take off.
Now all we had to do was:
-catch our new connecting flight in London (hope that it takes off on time!)
-take a train from Amsterdam to Leiden
-walk to our B&B from the train station
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