You've been having a few frustrating days?

Following are three messages we got this morning as Sandi tried to start her
R&R. Yes, she is going to Thailand & Cambodia. Don't ask. Scott[:D]

Dad,

So, this is starting well. My flight was supposed to leave at 0900.
One of our guys dropped me off at the airport, told me to stand in front
of the VIP section, just a grass patch with plastic chairs, and wait for the
local facilitator. This was at 0815. Local facilitator, who had my
passport, supposedly was leaving the grounds at 0830 and it would take
about 15 minutes to get there. I'm the only woman in the VIP section.
So as I'm there longer and longer by myself various men come up and
start to chat me up, asking where I'm from, what I'm doing here, who i
work for.... if i want a friend......

0845 still no one to help me through the system. i call back to the
main office, they track down the guy, hasn't left the grounds yet.
0857, still no one and no passport. they call and say flight moved to
1400. I say, not that is what time I'm COMING BACK in a few days. I
run into the terminal and try to get past the guard, but have no
passport. The airline official walks by and says flight delayed until
1130. My guys call me but can't find me. Local security and political
officials suddenly start asking me a bunch of questions. Still no
facilitator and no passport. Long story short, facilitator shows up an
hour and half LATER. I scream at him for leaving me alone and argue
over when the flight is supposed to actually leave. He calls the
airline main office, which says something different from the airline
official AT the airport???

My original flight was 3 hours. They say the 1400 flight, no 1130
flight, will get me to Delhi at 1630. I explain that I have a
connecting flight at 1700. They say impossible. Then say the flight
will land at 1530 and can make connection. But if 0900 flight was 3
hours, 1400 flight won't get in until 1700.

SOOOOOOO, I may be stuck in Delhi overnight. R, doubt I'll be able to
reach you when I land, unless of course I'm stuck in the airport until
tomorrow. If you don't hear from me, presume I'll be in at midnight.
Sandi

~~~~

Dad,

So very frustrating. After delaying for several hours and waiting out a
sand storm. Flight was cancelled. I was able to talk my way on to a
flight to Dubai. (with many many bribes) So I'm in the UAE until 0300
tomorrow morning. I fly Emirate Air and Inshallah, will be in Bangkok
12:35 Saturday afternoon.

Ria, I sent a message to the hotel via their website, but since they
never responded to my inquiry about transportation, not positive you
will get it.

This sucks majority. But there is an american guy who flew with me who
lives south of Bangkok and will help me maneuver the taxi system once we
land.
Sandi

~~~

Dad,

Adding to the saga of not being able to get out of hell to start my
R&R.....sand storms, Friday holiday, cancelled flights, bribes for
EVERYTHING, local facilitator who works with people like me standing me
up at the airport, cute american security guy telling me that if I got
stuck in country he'd take me to a Thai restaurant to cheer me up.....

So figured chances were better of getting a flight to Thailand from
Dubai than staying where I was and hoping the flight the next day would
actually leave. Since I would have an 8 hour layover in Delhi, flying
to UAE instead gets me in 12 hours sooner than waiting. Plus i could
not take ONE MORE DAY there.

The best part is that Kam Air just got a 747 three weeks ago from Russia
and we were on the maiden voyage :0) A little nervous when we hit a
bunch of turbulence, but landed safely.
Sandi
[:D][:D][:D]