First taste of Chilean humor…

I am getting ready to board the plane from Miami, and I strike a conversation with a lady in the line to board. She is from Argentina, but she looks very Irish — red hair, freckles and all. Anyway, she talks to me about her country, the wine, etc. When we get to the plane, she sits in front of my seat and having the conversation becomes difficult, and eventually it ends.

A short while after the passenger seats next to me, I continue the conversation with him. I mention to him that I was talking to the lady in front of us, and that she was an Argentinian.

“Not every one is perfect” he says.

An accidental tourist in Miami…

AKA how the weather screwed up my vacation start!

My trip to Chile was not supposed to start like this, but then who can predict the mid-west weather in December! The flight from Chicago started almost 1.5 hours late — almost the layover time I had in Miami! Some of the delay was weather, and some I thought was easily remediable. For instance, when we approached the gate at Miami airport, the pilot said there was an equipment blocking the gate. So we waited for about 10 minutes. Come on! When you know the gate is being readied for an aircraft to dock, wouldn’t you clear it first?

Regardless, many in the flight had onward connections to S America — most to Buenos Aires. Most of us ran from our gate to the international departure gates, with less than 10 minutes to spare. I knew I would miss my flight, but ran regardless. All of us were in for a disappointment — the flights had already left, with some ticketed passengers left behind although they made it in time. Apparently, there is a rule in International travel — you and your luggage should travel together. So, even if you made it to the gate, but you had checked luggage, they have to wait for that to get in as well.

So, there begins the drama. Many passengers were rude to the agent at the gate. Understandable, but uncalled for. I stick to one rule when it comes to travel or anything to do with customer service – you attract more flies with honey. I calmly told the agent I missed the connection. Nothing more, nothing less. Another passenger was downright rude and hostile, and the agent had to ask him several times to cut the offensive language and lower his voice. I am sure I came across like an angel (for a change!).

Within minutes, without any prodding, the agent was printing coupons – two nights at a hotel, two dinners, a breakfast and a lunch. He said I was confirmed on a flight the next day, in business class nonetheless – sweet! If there is one thing I like about flying business class, it is the reclining seats. Traveling overnight, I could easily use this perk.

So, there I was in Miami. A place I would want to visit, but not like this. I had about 6 hours to spare, but it is too less to plan anything. Then it came to mind — the one place in Miami I remember from the movies. If you have seen the movie “Scarface,” you probably know what I am talking about. It is the Ocean drive, with art deco hotels lined up the whole street, and where Mr. Pacino’s friend got chopped down in the movie.

 

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” they say. I wish I had more lemons so I could tour Miami at leisure, and I would surely need lemonade to cool off in that hot sun. Soon in the future, perhaps.