From Canada to Doha: Tragic
4-5 January 2007
Calgary / London / Dubai
CANADA / UK / UAE
We actually woke up early to catch my flight at 6pm. My brother's house is 2.5 hours from the airport so to leave early and have lunch in Calgary was the best plan. We ate at a Chinese restaurant--buffet again, which my brother is so fond of (because it's relatively cheap and the food is great!). At about 4pm, my brother left me at the airport. They went to Chinook Mall to buy their 'swedish massager'.
The Air Canada staff told me that I wouldn't be accepted because I was wearing runners. Boo! So I called my brother who was then exiting from the airport and asked him to buy a pair of shoes for me. I did not bring an extra pair because I was hoping I'd find something in Canada, but unfortunately did not.
A few minutes before the counters closed, my brother was still at the mall. The staff were telling me that buying the shoes was of no use because they'd be closing the counters soon and so I had to catch the next day's flight. I was so annoyed at the Air Canada staff but said nothing because I was tired as well. They accepted an EK staff in denims but they did not want to accept me because I was wearing rubbershoes. F*ck. The only reason I wanted to get on the flight was because I did not want my brother to drive me back the following day. The airport is too damn far from where he lives.
Anyway, when the staff called my brother and my brother told her that they were still at the mall and it would take another 15 minutes for them to reach the airport, it became apparent to me that I wouldn't be flying that night. 15 minutes?! The counter would be closing in 5 minutes! Hopeless, I felt. And the staff kept repeating that the call was 'long distance'. E ano ngayon??? Di naman ganon kamahal ang tawag!
To make a very long story short, I cried, the staff had pity on me, got me a pair of shoes and checked me in. I was upgraded to Air Canada's executive first class but I did not enjoy the experience because I was too bothered to do so. I was not able to tell my brother that I got on the flight and so I worried that they would be waiting for me and by the time they realized that I was already on my way to London, it would be too late for them to go home.
I reached London at half past 9, I think, but I missed the QR flight to Doha. I originally intended to go out and tour the city but my luggage was too heavy and I haven't had sleep for 24 hours. Bottomline, I was not in the mood to go out. So...I waited for my next chance on QR and EK. Fortunately, I was accepted on Emirates.
The flight from London to Dubai was the noisiest one I've had. The children were crying. If they're not crying, they were shouting. Good thing I have a talent in sleeping. I slept my way through to Dubai.
In Dubai, I took a chance on the earliest connection. I so love Emirates for making sure that my luggage--tagged on the 830am flight--still went with me on the 230am flight, eventhough the connection time was just a little bit over an hour. I arrived in Doha at around 4am and slept the whole day that day in preparation for the next day's work.
Calgary / London / Dubai
CANADA / UK / UAE
We actually woke up early to catch my flight at 6pm. My brother's house is 2.5 hours from the airport so to leave early and have lunch in Calgary was the best plan. We ate at a Chinese restaurant--buffet again, which my brother is so fond of (because it's relatively cheap and the food is great!). At about 4pm, my brother left me at the airport. They went to Chinook Mall to buy their 'swedish massager'.
The Air Canada staff told me that I wouldn't be accepted because I was wearing runners. Boo! So I called my brother who was then exiting from the airport and asked him to buy a pair of shoes for me. I did not bring an extra pair because I was hoping I'd find something in Canada, but unfortunately did not.
A few minutes before the counters closed, my brother was still at the mall. The staff were telling me that buying the shoes was of no use because they'd be closing the counters soon and so I had to catch the next day's flight. I was so annoyed at the Air Canada staff but said nothing because I was tired as well. They accepted an EK staff in denims but they did not want to accept me because I was wearing rubbershoes. F*ck. The only reason I wanted to get on the flight was because I did not want my brother to drive me back the following day. The airport is too damn far from where he lives.
Anyway, when the staff called my brother and my brother told her that they were still at the mall and it would take another 15 minutes for them to reach the airport, it became apparent to me that I wouldn't be flying that night. 15 minutes?! The counter would be closing in 5 minutes! Hopeless, I felt. And the staff kept repeating that the call was 'long distance'. E ano ngayon??? Di naman ganon kamahal ang tawag!
To make a very long story short, I cried, the staff had pity on me, got me a pair of shoes and checked me in. I was upgraded to Air Canada's executive first class but I did not enjoy the experience because I was too bothered to do so. I was not able to tell my brother that I got on the flight and so I worried that they would be waiting for me and by the time they realized that I was already on my way to London, it would be too late for them to go home.
I reached London at half past 9, I think, but I missed the QR flight to Doha. I originally intended to go out and tour the city but my luggage was too heavy and I haven't had sleep for 24 hours. Bottomline, I was not in the mood to go out. So...I waited for my next chance on QR and EK. Fortunately, I was accepted on Emirates.
The flight from London to Dubai was the noisiest one I've had. The children were crying. If they're not crying, they were shouting. Good thing I have a talent in sleeping. I slept my way through to Dubai.
In Dubai, I took a chance on the earliest connection. I so love Emirates for making sure that my luggage--tagged on the 830am flight--still went with me on the 230am flight, eventhough the connection time was just a little bit over an hour. I arrived in Doha at around 4am and slept the whole day that day in preparation for the next day's work.
