The Departure
Fri. 9/14
Well folks, my trip was officially over. Thank goodness I did manage to arrive on time to get my last counter service meal at Mara, before the ME bus came. I got the chicken finger strips meal to go, and a slice of cake. With about 30 mins to spare, before the ME bus, I ate my last meal in AKL's lobby. While eating I noticed a family with a few kids sitting in the lobby also. The adult with them was none other than DISer "Carol/Houston"!
After I finished eating, I went over to chat with Ms. Carol for a bit. They had a little drama getting back home because of storms in Texas. As I was wishing her a safe return home, she told me that she thought that we were on the same ME bus. Later in turned out that we were!
I got my lugguage, and headed to the benches at the ME stop. I thought it was odd that for a resort so large, that there were only two benches. But hey, they also have a sub-standard "food court". When I sat down, there was only me, and an older couple. So maybe they only needed 2 benches after all. As I sat there thinking about my trip, I noticed that the shade I was sitting under got smaller and smaller. Soon, the sun was shining full force on my legs! I was really hoping that the bus would come soon!
When the bus pulled up - waay past the benches - I discovered that there were other people waiting because a woman walked up to the driver ahead of me, from the steps behind the stop. After boarding the bus, I saw DISer Carol. It was nice seeing a friendly and familiar face on my way home

In spite of their flight delay, and trying to get to the airport. She still had a smile on her face. See there's a lesson: Don't sweat the small stuff!
One of the stops we made was at Pop Century. It had to be about 100 people sweating , waiting for that bus. I felt soooo sorry for them. Fortunantly, the bus driver called for another bus, and exaggerated the number of people - I guess in hopes that everybody would get a seat, AND that they would get there quickly. He filled in the rest of our bus, and headed to the airport. It was then, that I recognized how hard that man worked that day - lugging ALL those bags under the bus, in all that heat, AND having to deal with all the dirty looks from those who couldn't fit on the bus. When we got to the airport, I gave him a $5 tip. I hope that others tipped him as well.
After getting to my terminal - Southwest - I noticed that people were already vying for their spots in line. I started to try too - but you know what? I'd been standing in line all week. I'd just have to hope, that I'd get the emergency row seat.
What I forgot to add in the installment from the day before, is that I found out that I could check in 24 hours before my flight to get the "A" group on Southwest, at the conceirge counter. Had it not been for this site, I wouldnt have known to even ask. So once again, thank you DISers for sharing information.
Before I went to wait for my flight, I bought a cup of green tea, and took the cold medicine that CherokeeMama left for me at the front desk! THANK YOU!!!!! When it was almost time for the flight, I got in line for the "A" group, all the while praying that I get the "A" group. Well, I board the plane. I'm walking up the aisle. There are 3 seats on each side of the aisle. There were passengers already in the aisle and window seats of both emergency rows.

So, I looked to my right, and apologized: "I'm sorry, but I need to take this seat". They didnt look upset at all. I sat in the middle seat, in between a tall White man on the aisle, and a Black woman by the window. Now by looking at the man's legs, I could tell that he was taller than me. Hmmmm . . . . I may go home with yet another souvenier! But you never know, just because I would date outside of my race, doesnt mean that this man will. But we'll see.
Well during the flight, the woman turned out to be really chatty - but a good kind of chatty. It was like flying with a friend! However, I couldnt get a peep out of the man. Oh well.
When we land in Baltimore, and are about to deplane, the man stands up, and I see what I think is a GUN on his hip! Now I've only seen them on TV or on cops, but it does look like a GUN!!!! I turn to my new girlfriend with almost clenched teeth:
Is that a gun? She looks over in a calm way and say that he's probably the plane's officer - I can't think of the right name now, but you all know what I mean. OHHHHH!!!!! That explains why he wouldnt say much, and was sitting on the end. So I had the perfect seat: Chatty Cathy on my left, and Officer Friendly on my right! Thank you Jesus!
One of my friends picked me up in Baltimore at BWI airport. It was cool and rainy. Oh well.
That night I managed to do ALL of my laundry, before going to sleep!
It was great returning home to find out that all was well, and I had NOT regretted my trip!
Comming up: Epilogue
(and replies to everyone!)