Has it already been 24 hours? I’ve lost track now that I’m 7 hours ahead!? Also, if you’re lovely enough to come check my blog, let me help you navigate - those who know my story telling - pictures are at the bottom ;) I’ll start with highlights - the rest will depend on my down time. Hopefully pictures every day though - and drawings.
Highlights:
Lessons thus far:
Gate details weren’t posted until 5, for my flight leaving at 6, did I mention I arrived at 11? I walked the entire airport - twice - had a delightful meal via Sir Jamie Oliver (picture below) - and when I saw my gate finally appear I realized it was the furthest one away from the main concourse. Fantastic,
I scurry with the hoard of people rushing towards the gate - why do people do this? Well perhaps I understand now. As I approached, an announcement was made. Didn’t quite hear, I get through the check in and it comes again, saying ‘the flight is overbooked, if you would like to volunteer your seat and shift to the next available flight we will be giving you a free hotel room, meals, taxi fair, and $250 EUR. 😳
Hmm, well, since I had nothing overly planned my first few nights I thought - if that’s Euro, that basically pays for my flights. Hotel = hot shower and comfortable sleep (which I hadn’t any since leaving Calgary) So, why not!
I did it. Upon finalizing the details the Airport Lead noted ‘wait, did you volunteer? That means you actually get $500 Euro’ 😳😳 aka $850 CAN
I know what you may be thinking, what’s the catch? Well, let me throw you that right now. He notes - ‘you’re ok with going to the Manchester Airport?’ Meagan replies - with 500 Euro floating across her rose glasses ‘ya, of course I’m in no rush’ ... she awakes, and notes the tone in which he asks, perhaps It may be good to see how far that is... note* geography was not my favorite class - and yes for those of you already laughing let the rest join now as it is a 4-5 hour drive.
A new, new adventure begins.
At this point I’m thinking, well now I get to see a whole new side of the UK (get it? They drive on the left... 😂🙈 you’re welcome)
I’m still not concerned, and go through the process of following a random EasyJet guy to customer service. I’m all set up, and directed to catch my cab out in front of a hotel at the airport. Ask her what the cab name is, she said they don’t get told that info but they would meet in front of the hotel.... they’ll call you.
45 mins later, conversation with another passenger rerouted (Art History major!), talking to about 15 different cab drivers to see if they were hired for a Manchester trip, being called a bitch by one, two very helpful and friendly security guards reassuring me, I finally get the call. Waves are shared I make it to the cab.
Intro: Timmii. Five hours, three stops, two coffees, a random panini, one wrong exit, and endless interesting conversation later I arrive at the hotel in Manchester with a new adventure planned in London and a new friend. Money just can’t buy that...
I’m now at the Manchester airport, debating if I should change my mind again about British people hopefully I can keep it together until I leave... beer should help.
Next stop > Venice!
Highlights:
- Learning British use pounds, not Euro, and that they are equally confused as to why Canada doesn't also have pounds.
- Being called a bitch by a very lovely cab driver who I can only assume thought I was some kind of prostitute...
- Being paid to travel
- Meeting new people: Hello Timmii!
Lessons thus far:
- Always verify your seats - even if you’ve purchased or prebooked. Especially if you’re travelling alone, as they tend to place lonely travellers in the middle seat in the middle of the plane... that’s a long 8 hours from Can > UK
- Always accept the free alcoholic drinks on flights
- Never walk behind people with wheeled luggage
- Never judge a book by its cover - if you asked me yesterday what I thought of Brits, the answer would be much different than now, let me explain:
- A bit of detour to my journey happened yesterday. I waited patiently in the London airport (debating if I should leave and explore but perhaps overly cautious Meagan evaluated and decided better to stay - would hate to miss my flight)
Gate details weren’t posted until 5, for my flight leaving at 6, did I mention I arrived at 11? I walked the entire airport - twice - had a delightful meal via Sir Jamie Oliver (picture below) - and when I saw my gate finally appear I realized it was the furthest one away from the main concourse. Fantastic,
I scurry with the hoard of people rushing towards the gate - why do people do this? Well perhaps I understand now. As I approached, an announcement was made. Didn’t quite hear, I get through the check in and it comes again, saying ‘the flight is overbooked, if you would like to volunteer your seat and shift to the next available flight we will be giving you a free hotel room, meals, taxi fair, and $250 EUR. 😳
Hmm, well, since I had nothing overly planned my first few nights I thought - if that’s Euro, that basically pays for my flights. Hotel = hot shower and comfortable sleep (which I hadn’t any since leaving Calgary) So, why not!
I did it. Upon finalizing the details the Airport Lead noted ‘wait, did you volunteer? That means you actually get $500 Euro’ 😳😳 aka $850 CAN
I know what you may be thinking, what’s the catch? Well, let me throw you that right now. He notes - ‘you’re ok with going to the Manchester Airport?’ Meagan replies - with 500 Euro floating across her rose glasses ‘ya, of course I’m in no rush’ ... she awakes, and notes the tone in which he asks, perhaps It may be good to see how far that is... note* geography was not my favorite class - and yes for those of you already laughing let the rest join now as it is a 4-5 hour drive.
A new, new adventure begins.
At this point I’m thinking, well now I get to see a whole new side of the UK (get it? They drive on the left... 😂🙈 you’re welcome)
I’m still not concerned, and go through the process of following a random EasyJet guy to customer service. I’m all set up, and directed to catch my cab out in front of a hotel at the airport. Ask her what the cab name is, she said they don’t get told that info but they would meet in front of the hotel.... they’ll call you.
45 mins later, conversation with another passenger rerouted (Art History major!), talking to about 15 different cab drivers to see if they were hired for a Manchester trip, being called a bitch by one, two very helpful and friendly security guards reassuring me, I finally get the call. Waves are shared I make it to the cab.
Intro: Timmii. Five hours, three stops, two coffees, a random panini, one wrong exit, and endless interesting conversation later I arrive at the hotel in Manchester with a new adventure planned in London and a new friend. Money just can’t buy that...
I’m now at the Manchester airport, debating if I should change my mind again about British people hopefully I can keep it together until I leave... beer should help.
Next stop > Venice!
Jamie Oliver - Chicken Pâté and Forget the beer but man in front of me recommended it
Thought this was relatable to my UK efforts thus far, and the hat seems british.
Good job ‘mate’
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