After two years of working in North Africa I'm head back home! The first year was fantastic, then things got a bit hectic. The second year just wasn't as fun or rewarding as the first. I did enjoy the trips to Europe and the UK, I never would have traveled oversea if it wasn't for taking on this assignment.
Leaving Libya!!! I got up made coffee and took the trash out. Took a shower and finished stuffing the luggage. Had breakfast then booked my October flight to JAX. I’m starting to get butterflies, I really want to get out-a-here. Geary came by because Ron had called him and he wanted to talk to me about the apartment. About 10ish Jerry came and we talked for 90 minutes or so. I gave the SAT card and other things. I was trying to book my Thanksgiving flights as he came by but had to stop. When he left, I continued by the prices jumped and the Saturday flight filled up and became a one-stop flight. That happened in 90 minutes. Which I find bogus! Therefore, I ended up booking a flight that leaves on Tuesday and gets back Friday night. The front desk called and asked if I could leave at 11:45 instead of noon. No problem. I got to the airport about 12:15. The line was open and only one person in front of me. No hassles! They checked my luggage in all the way to PHL. I only got the boarding pass for today’s flight. No worries. The Boss speakers in my carry-on alarmed the guards watching the scanners. Must have been the magnets. I went to the BA business club elevator but it was not working and there are no stairs. Lucky there was a second elevator. Got into the lounge and relaxed for a few hours waiting on the boarding call. With an hour before the flight, I went ahead and left for the gate. When I got to the lobby the gate was open. We boarded with no issue and took off on time. It was a nice flight and the food was ok. The champagne (Pommery) was very carbonated. We landed at a board gate so no buses this time (I hate having to take a bus from the plane to the terminal). Went through custom quickly. I found a BA customer service desk at the baggage area but the woman there said I had to go up to the departures lounge desk. Three floors up. I got up to that level but could not find a BA service desk. I ended up asking someone and he pointed me in the right direction. The reason I did not locate one is that the service desk and the check-in desk are the same. Therefore, I waited in the Club line and a BA rep came by and said that there were no lines at the end of the hall. So I walked down there and true, no lines. The woman behind the counter was very friendly, I received my hotel voucher, and Hoopa bus passes. I then had to go back down to the Arrivals area to catch the bus. When I got there the bus for the Renaissance Hotel was waiting. Cool! Got to the hotel in about 30 minutes, we had to stop at several other hotels before arriving at the Renaissance. Checked in with no issues. I received vouchers for dinner and breakfast. I got to the room and unpacked. Afterward I was feeling hungry so I headed to the restaurant. They put me in the back for the guest with vouchers. It was a buffet, not bad though. I even got desert. The only drawback was that there was no choice for drinks. I had water. No big deal. After dinner, I went to the bar next to the restaurant. I ordered a Well’s Bombardier Bitter. I found a quiet seat and started judging. I finished the beer and headed to my room. Wrote down my beer notes and watch TV the rest of the night.
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