Planes, trains and automobiles...

Well... I left yesterday - almost two days ago, taking in to account time differences - for Guatemala City and it really has involved almost all forms of transportation and little sleep.  I sit here now in Antigua, Guatemala listening to the rain pouring down outside.

It started with a late night finishing up bits and pieces, to feeling sorted, anxious and ready to go.  Getting on the Piccadilly line thinking to myself... one train... all the way... relaxing... on time... easy.  Perhaps that was my error... having all those positive thoughts?

This is how it went down - Piccadilly line broke down at Hammersmith.  Waited for 15-20mins until tube diver told anyone travelling to Heathrow to get on the district line to Richmond and get a bus from there.

  Got to Richmond and asked a member of station staff who proceeded to tell me that it would in fact involve one bus and two trains, taking about 45 mins or so.  (Aaah) So, opted for a taxi with strangers instead - who were worse off than me.  I had over two hours until departure, the one had only one hour... I question whether they would have made their flight. 

They were going to terminals 1,2,3, so I got a transfer across to terminal 4.  From there I joined a long queue for Delta going to Atlanta.  I checked in and was told I was on ´seat request´ i.e. over booked and don´t have a seat... hmmm.  I also ´confirmed´ my veg meal.  Anyway, went to the departure gate, and rang people to say my last farewells and debrief re my travel dramas.

  I had checked with the gate staff who had told me that they were waiting for the flight to close and then they could assign me a seat.  I got assigned my seat as they were boarding the last passengers, but at least I had an aisle seat (I like to be able to get up and not feel trapped).  Unfortunately though my veg meal went AWOL, but at least the airline staff were really nice and found me food to eat :).

A 10 hour flight, several movies and a screaming baby made for little sleep... followed by 15 hours in Atlanta airport, with cool air conditioning and non-stop activity - cleaners, floor polishers, people drilling stuff on to the sides of columns for what purpose I don´t know.  Needless to say there was little sleep to be had in Atlanta airport.

  I was curled up on a chair and trying to sleep when one cleaner asked me if I was cold, then asked me if I wanted a blanket... I just looked at him and said ´you can do that?´ in response to which he ran off and come back with a quilt.  I have no idea where it came from or who it belonged to, but it was warmer than without!  I was joined at about 4am by an older US guy x-army who is making a 6-month trip over to Guatemala - retired and looking for a change of pace.  He yakked away the hours asking me questions about flying civilian...

My little travel fun ended with a no show plane, which finally arrived about an hour later.  The happy ending was arriving in Guatemala City to 4 happy smiling faces!  Thankfully Al, Jules and even Maree to some extent can speak spanish and bundled us off in a taxi to Antigua.  Arrived and checked in to a hostel by the name of ´Black Cat´, a little dingy and dark, but not too bad.  I´m sure I´ll sleep well regardless due to my lack of sleep!  So far we´ve wondered around the town a little bit, had lunch and contemplated tomorrow´s excitement... possible volcano hike/tour - watch this space!