Greetings from the “midpoint” of my journey to South Korea! After spending a few days with my family in the mid-west, I left in the wee hours this morning for Korea. With over 19 hours total travel time, I knew I was in for a big day!
My mom, who is always there for me, got up this morning at 3:30am and made me scrambled eggs for my trip. By 4am we were out the door and on the one-hour trek to the local airport. We arrived with great ease and found our way to the gate. There was a small delay entering through security as an alarm was going off. The security guard, with his laid back mid-western fashion, joked, “maybe it means that the bacon is ready!” Eventually, it stopped and we were allowed to proceed.
All seemed well as I waited to depart for my 6:10 am flight traveling to Denver then connecting to San Fransisco and then the long flight to Seoul Korea. It was about a half hour before my flight was to leave when the “on time” status came off the flight board. There would be a delay. There was a plane maintenance issue and we would have to wait for a new airplane.
Eventually we loaded onto a new airplane and in one hour and 40 minutes we were landing in Denver. My flight and several other passengers’ connections were very tight and so they allowed us to deplane before the others. Moving as quickly as I could down the long corridor to my next flight I arrived at my gate only to find it abandoned and desolate. No sign of life anywhere. It appeared they departed… and quickly leaving no sign that they were ever there.
I was rerouted to a later flight to San Fransisco and also changed to a different airline for my flight to Korea as I would miss my connection in San Francisco. That’s okay, I thought. Doing my best to “go with the flow” while also doing my best to keep track of my checked-in luggage looking out for it in a manner somewhere between a pit bull and a protective mother.
Then arrival in San Francisco. Next? Head to the ticketing agent of my new airline to get a boarding pass. It turned out that their flight was full and there was no room for me… or the Korean man also rerouted making his way to Seoul via St. Louis, Missouri. We were directed back to the ticket counter of our original airline, United Airlines.
There we met a very friendly staff member willing to take his time to help us and go out of his way to make sure that all was well. His first suggestion? Rerouting our flight through Shanghai arriving in Korea around midnight on Wednesday Korean time. Hmmm… I don’t think that is my flight! “What about tomorrow?” I asked… can’t we just stay the night and take the same flight out tomorrow? He was quickly agreeable offering ways to cover additional expenses… giving us complimentary meals tickets for lunch dinner and breakfast tomorrow. And while he couldn’t pay for the hotel upfront, he hooked us up with a discounted hotel rate with promises of getting reimbursed by the airline. So I took it!
And here I sit… quite content… at a pink Spanish style chain hotel just a stone’s throw from the San Fransisco airport. I have Internet, a big cumfy bed. In truth I am grateful for an afternoon break and a good night’s sleep before my 12 hour flight to South Korea!
So here I am! I am on my way… and content to be delayed until… my late morning flight tomorrow. Tonight is sure to include a relaxing evening in the comfort of a quiet hotel room, a good night sleep… and tomorrow…once again…on my way to South Korea!
My Indiegogo campaign, “Gypsy Woman Goes to South Korea, ” is still going strong. I invite you to visit the campaign and watch a brief video about my journey at www.indiegogo.com/southkorea. And while you’re there, if you’re inspired to make a donation, that would make a world of difference to this Gypsy Woman! Thanks for stopping by!
And as always feel free to write and connect. I’d love to hear from you!
Don’t be fooled by the photo above. It’s not the Golden Gate Bridge! Alas, it is the view from the San Fransisco Airport while waiting for my hotel courtesy van pick-up!
Gypsy Woman 
Attitude is everything. I agree that a good night’s sleep in SF is a nice stroke of luck. Flights to Asia are never glamorous. Ask for an exit row seat!! Have fun!!
Hi Sarah! Yes indeed! The good news is they gave me a seat upgrade as a courtesy for the inconvenience… so all is well!
OMG, I have never heard of that happening. Can’t wait to hear your next adventure!