Travel Debacles Reach an Extreme

It's becoming more and more glaringly apparent that I'm a poor traveler.  I've gone to the wrong airport, forgotten when my flight is, booked for the wrong days, gone somewhere and forgotten which airport I've flown out of... the list just goes on.

This past trip, albeit to Des Moines, wasn't any better.  What I don't understand is why when you're booking a layover trip they only give you 20 mins between landing and when the next flight boards.  On my way to Detroit, where my layover was, everywhere is super easy, no issues except sitting next to a squirmy little girl who wouldn't shut up the whole time and a plane infested with coughing and sniffling people.  However, we were in line to take off for 45 mins which made us delayed.  I only had 12 minutes between original landing time and boarding start time for my next flight, so I was appropriately anxious.  I flew off the plane once we landed (miraculously on time) and ran to the tram.  Of course this is an airport I've never been to before, and there's no printed sign that says to get to terminal B you have to go through terminal A.  So there's 6 of us, riding around the tram trying to figure out how to get to B.  We had to circle back in order to get to our destination, at which point I'm SPRINTING through the corridor (btw if there's a tram, why not have it go between terminals instead of having long ass walking platforms?!).  I finally arrive at my gate, 5 minutes after boarding time, and they haven't even begun yet!  Super annoyed, and out of breath, I ask the gate attendant when they're board.... not for another 15 minutes!!!  UGH!

So I get my ass to Des Moines and when I land, I realize I have no earthly clue who I booked my rental car with.  I start doing searches on my iphone and droid because of course I have no idea which email I used in order to book the reservation.  Giving up, I try the first one in line, Hertz.  Then I have to think about if I used my maiden or married last name.  No luck at Hertz.  No luck at Alamo, and no luck at Avis, who checked 3 other rental agencies for me too.  Shit out of luck because none of them have free cars, I KNOW I have a rental confirmation, I just can't find it.  So I decide to check my expense report... which of course I can't access on my mobile.  Whipping out my laptop, and the charger because it's dead, and finding wireless, I land on Advantage Rent a Car, the one and only desk I didn't check.

Off to my hotel, because of course it doesn't end.  I check in, get my keys, go to my room... keys don't work.  Go back down, new keys.  Go back up... keys don't work.  Throw in the towel and just call the front desk.  The guy meets me at a new room and let's me in.

Case closed until I leave.  And boy howdy!  I have a 6:30am flight, have to remember to make time to deposit the car, so I set an alarm for 4:30, 20 min travel time from the hotel to the airport.  5:20am... SHIT my alarm didn't go off!!!  I haul ass out of the hotel, get down to the parking lot, forgot where I parked, can't find the car keys, remember I left my car keys in the sink in the room (don't ask).  So I sprint my ass around to the front of the hotel, because of course I left all my keycards in the room and can't go in the side door, have to find the front desk guy, get a new key, fly up 3 flights of stairs, back into my room, grab the keys, and back down to the car.  At this point, it's probably around 5:40 and the boarding time is 5:50 to my flight.  I'm freaking out I'm going to get stuck in DSM, but pedal to the metal there, get to the airport but there are no signs on where to do rental car drop off.  A few illegal turns, and against a "do not enter" sign, and I leave the car, go inside to drop off the car, but no one's there.  I have to fill out a form and leave it but of course there are no pens.  Finish up that debacle, another sprint to drop of my bag at luggage drop off, another sprint to security... ask the TSA guy if I can cut the line because my flight is at 6:30 and it's now 6:10, and he says NO!!!  UGH.  Weird international ppl in front of me who have no idea they can't wear a scarf and a jacket through the security check, and I'm finally through and at the gate... and they haven't even boarded yet!!!

So I get to Detroit no issue... again I have about 20 minutes between flights and my gate is on the other side of creation, but 3 rushed attempts and I decide I'm not running for another plane.  I calmly get there and there's no one at the gate.  So I'm either super late or no one's on the flight.  Phew!

Land in LGA to a vmail from car service that they didn't update my credit card information from last time and didn't process the order, therefore no car!  Fix that situation and go to grab my luggage, and the handle is broken.

Honestly a worn out trip and now I'm unpacking into another suitcase for my departure tomorrow back to NJ and then to London on Saturday.  Wish me luck!

Staying Fit While Abroad

I seem to have a problem keeping up with fitness while I'm traveling which is a huge problem since I'm on the road more than I'm hope it feels like.  So what's a girl to do with a white dress looming in the not so distant future?

I "invested" in one of these handy things.  Super light, obvi, that it doesn't take up much weight in my suitcase, and I can use it without workout clothes or sneakers which adds weight to my already over packed suitcase.  It's great because I bought a 15lb resistance and can use it for arms, legs, added to my core workout (if I do one) and I still get in my strength training even though I can't hit the weights.

Travel Savvy

I've been a huge fan of my trusty Victorinox Mobilizer that I've had in red for the past 4.5 years, not that luggage really expires until it breaks.  I purchased this baby right before my first business trip to Chicago when I realized I didn't have one piece of luggage that wasn't a duffel bag and that would be suitable to cart suits around in.  Off to Woodbury I went, hit up the Swiss Army outlet and walked out with this bad larry.

Four years later and I'm anxiously awaiting the next trip when I can use my O.M.G., which I decided to get in raspberry btw, and now it clashes with my old faithful Victorinox.  So what's a girl to do?  I need a new rolly of course!!  Where to start?  I googled cute luggage and found this instantly!

This super cute rolly from Jenni Chan (I mean she's a Chan so of course I have to support!) is right up my alley. Polka dots (duh), and the pink that will go so well with my O.M.G.   The only downside is if the pinks don't match, but I think I might risk it and return if it doesn't work out.

The O.M.G.

 

I absolutely obsessed with this travel tote from Lo & Sons.  I first saw it on Young, Married Chic on one of her NY live segments and while the bright pink is definitely an eye catching color, I think I'm leaning towards the neutrality of the espresso.  I'm waffling between the OG and OMG size right now, but I really want this for my upcoming trips; London, Boston, Chicago, Jamaica, Chicago, and finally FL.  Lots of trips, and hoping to get some mileage out of a new carryon.

Catching up with Chan

I can't even get over the fact that today was the first day I had a chance to catch up on my google reader; over 1,000 posts by blogs I follow that I had to catch up on!

What have I been up to since the end of August?

Spent a week in Cape Cod on "vacation" doing a lot of wedding things like gift bags, finalizing florist layout, picking our welcome dinner spot and menu

From Cape Cod I went to London for 5 nights, worked about 70+ hours which was good times, but at least I got to see C&P for a hot second before I flew on back and had the opportunity to try out Spice Market in London.  While it's not really tapas, it's not really individual either.  The 5 of us ordered 3 orders of pork belly sliders, amazing, but way too much for us considering how much other yummy food we tried.

Wedding wise?  Matt and I took our first dance class, ordered our rings, have finalized and ordered our favors, wrapping up our table decorations and I found a new hair and makeup artist.

Next up?  Leaving for London on Saturday again.  Keeping my fingers crossed that this is the last international trip until next quarter.

One Week to Go

I'm excited to say that there's a week, well now less than a week, until my bmaids and I will be in uber hot Charleston, SC for my long-awaited bachelorette - long-awaited by me that is.

Next Wednesday I fly out and won't be back for ELEVEN days.  Don't misunderstand, not all of those days are bachelorette days because truthfully my liver couldn't handle it.

Three of us arrive on Wednesday to The Cottages on Charleston Harbor where my goal is to lay like broccoli, get a tan, and just unwind from the really stressful passed month that I've had; between early morning global meetings, being sick, trying to hire a marketing assistant, and just general day job stuff, who has had the time to keep in touch with anyone?!  I even forgot to order my wedding invitations!  GASP!!!  I know... so unlike me it's absurd.  Rest assured, I rushed the order and they're now in hand and crisis of delayed shipping almost averted.

Back to the topic on hand, Charleston!  Such a cute southern town... I can't wait to walk around and shop the boutiques, eat some good southern eats, and party like it's my last shindig, because frankly it is until the wedding.  Once Charleston happens, it's non-stop traveling until the last wedding in November and then finally I get to take a break.

So bring on the sunshine, the poolside cocktails, and the tan that has to last me straight through until October.

Photo courtesy of:  http://www.bbonline.com/

Farewell London

 

 After almost 9 full days, I must bid you ado!  You've been more than fabulous, with your surprisingly sunny weather, lack of rain, and beautiful, if strangely laid out, streets.  VAT tax is my best friend, and I have one more touristy excursion to Spitalfield's before I jet off to the airport, hit up duty free, and jettison back to the states.

I don't know when I'll be back yet, although it does look like at least once more before the summer is out, and I'm looking forward to it almost as much as I'm looking forward to San Francisco in September.    So farewell for now, and I'll be back soon.