BLISTERED FEET, SORE BACKS, AND VERY HAPPY

Well, we have arrived in Oaxaca! It was indeed an adventure. We left our home at 3:15 a.m., and headed to the airport. Our flight to Atlanta was on time. However, once in the air, we didn't have any cabin service due to the turbulence. We really didn't think it was bad at all. So we closed our eyes and tried to get some shut eye.

When we landed in Atlanta, there were a lot of dark, heavy clouds. It was also raining. There were tornado warnings - in December!  We immediately went to our next gate to make sure we were on time. We were on time and we waited, and waited, and waited. We finally took off about 1 1/2 hours late. At this point, we were happy that we had a 3 1/2 hour layover in Mexico City. During the flight, each passenger had a small screen in front of them and you could select a variety of TV programs or video games that you occupy your time...for free. We finally landed in Mexico City. Knowing that our layover was now down to less than 2 hours, we started to panic. The immigration line was long. Then we would have to claim our luggage, clear customs, and get to a different terminal for our flight to Oaxaca.

We made it through immigration in about 45 minutes. We went to get our luggage and couldn't find one of our bags. So, we were now down to 40 minutes until our flight would leave. We had no choice but to make a claim for our lost luggage. Sam went over to the Delta counter and pleaded her case. The other passengers who also needed to make a claim were very sympathetic and let her cut in front of them. We found out that luggage was still in Atlanta. It would come on the next flight. They would forward it to Oaxaca, and someone would call us. Luckily, Sam had the landlord's phone number with her.

Now, it is off to clear customs. Again, Sam tells people in her best Spanish that we are very late and need to hurry to make our connecting flight. The people are very friendly and let us pass. We have always been very lucky clearing customs. Sam always pushes the button and gets a green light which means you may pass without inspection. Well, this time Sam pushes the button and it is "Red". Sam tells the inspector about our flight and he quickly does an inspection. At this point, we noticed that it is Sam's luggage that is lost. Sam kept her cool. We are now off running to find Terminal 1. Some guy asks if he could help us and Sam shows him the ticket information. He takes Sam by the hand and starts running. He tells us we must go out this door and catch a shuttle bus. Then he says it may be better to take a taxi. He tells us it is about 6 miles away. Sam turns to Bob and says, "What...six miles"? We stop at the taxi stand and the lady doesn't speak English. She points to the door, we go outside, and just miss the shuttle bus by seconds. We see the bus pulling away.

So, we wait a few minutes until the next bus backs into the loading area. We get on. We wait, and wait. It really was only about 5 minutes; however, it seemed like a lot longer. The shuttle bus travels all around the airport, cuts through some fences, and pops out on a very busy road. We finally get to Terminal 1. Of course the bus passes Mexicana Airlines and stops at the very end of the terminal. We now have to run all the way to the other end. We look at our watch and have about 10 minutes before the plane leaves.

We show our tickets to a representative who tells us to quickly go through security with our bags. He told us they will check our bags at the gate. Well, when was the last time you went through security quickly. Remember, they just inspected our bags at customs. Now, they wanted to look through them again. We once again begin to walk as fast as we can. We both have heavy backpacks. Sam is pulling one piece of luggage and Bob has two. We get to another check point, and they want to check the luggage again. We hurry and find the gate. Sam was so excited because the plane was still at the gate. It was a few minutes past departure time. The representative took the boarding passes and said, "Oh it's the Zimmermans". Sam really thought we were going to get on. No such luck. They had already closed the door. We were not the only ones who didn't make the flight. We missed the 2:50 p.m., flight.

Now we have to go to the customer service area for Mexicana Airlines to try and get on the next flight which is at 6:00 p.m. There are about 7 people rushing to this area. Of course we can't go very fast because we have all of our luggage. Once again, we had to clear a security check point. Once again, they want us to open our bags. We definitely had the best checked bags around. At the service area, they did assist us. Now it was a waiting game. Overall, we were very calm, but very tired. Sam was rubbing her feet; she was thirsty, hungry and exhausted. Sam stayed with the luggage while Bob went to get some food and drink.

After awhile, Bob was getting antsy about the luggage. He was afraid that we would get to the gate and they wouldn't check it for us. So we went for a walk and came back. With him was a young man in a wheelchair that spoke English. He told us that it would be better if went back downstairs and checked our luggage at the ticket counter. So, we did. He was moving very fast in his wheelchair. Sam was trying her best to keep up. We checked our luggage and asked if there were any seats available for us to sit together. The rep was very helpful and assigned us new seats. We thanked the young man in the wheelchair and were off to clear security one more time. Of course they wanted to really inspect Bob's backpack. We didn't care, Bob was just happy to be rid of the luggage.

OK...stop laughing! At one time Sam thought it would be great to be on the reality show...Amazing Race...guess what...not anymore!

We go to the gate to get on the plane and guess who is there to meet us...the young man in the wheel chair. He wanted to make sure we were there. We thanked him and he wished us well. At Mexico City airport, they hire handicapped individuals as "ambassadors". They travel all through the airport in their wheelchairs to assist passengers, especially those who do not speak Spanish.

The flight to Oaxaca was uneventful...thank goodness. We arrive at the airport, gather our luggage, and looked for the missing bag (no luck). We take a taxi to the casa, and we were glad to be home after traveling for over 18 hours.  The blistered feet and sore backs were well worth it!

More later on the lost luggage!!