By the time we got to sleep last night, it was time to get up. One of us was wondering what did we forget? Probably nothing, but it is always enough to keep one awake.
It was still raining lightly when our driver picked us up at about 3:50am, as he knows we are always ready for him. This time we were traveling lightly. Only one duffel and hand carries were needed for our stay in Ft. Lauderdale.
We arrived to the SF airport in the constant rain around 5am with little traffic. That is rare these days, but we knew it was the best day to fly. Terminal 2 looked very different from the last time we were here a year ago. Everything had been re-modeled, and the kiosks used to check in were programmed different. So we needed some help from a friendly agent who was assisting others around us. She pretty much did the whole process and tagged our duffel to be checked in at the counter. All of the airport workers seemed to be quite happy today, wishing all a Happy New Year.
The security checkpoint was the quickest we have experienced. Even without TSA approved status, we did not have to take our shoes off, take the computer out of the case, or have the small gels in a separate baggie. Everyone passed through the xray scanner with feet separated and arms and hands out on our sides. Easy.
From here, we had a long walk to Gate E11, but no time for a sit-down breakfast. The one nice restaurant there did not open until after 6am, and with our flight boarding at 6:45am, we knew it would not work. So one of us went in search of snacks like Pepperidge Farm chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies. Really healthy. A small bag of pretzels would work too.
While we were waiting for the flight to board, we noticed a small family with two little kids…perhaps 2 and 3 years old. The boy was well-behaved, but the girl, not so much. And there did not appear to be a whole lot of parental control. Don't get us wrong….we like kids. But this one was an exception. Wouldn't you know it, they sat directly across from us in the first seats in priority seating. Since the two year old did not have a seat, she had the run of the aisle. When the dad tried to subdue her, she screamed bloody murder. And did not stop. Only one of us found the ear buds to watch a movie, but more so to block the uncontrollable screaming . I recall putting mine in a baggie, but I could not find them. However, we did enjoy the entire bag of cookies with our sodas and coffee. It would be breakfast and lunch combined. And these seats had a bulkhead separating us from first class. There was plenty of legroom, and no one could drop their seat in our laps.
The mostly smooth flight was actually early landing, and the best thing was seeing the sun shining with blue skies. We made our way to the baggage pick-up carousel # 1, where none of our things were, because they had changed the number. After waiting and watching, we checked the roster to find it was carousel # 2. Our duffel was last to arrive naturally. In no big burry, we found the taxi line right outside the door and had a driver within minutes. The ride was short and we were at the hotel shortly after 5pm. Funny thing – the metered fare was $20, but last year, we ended up with an Uber and the fare was $50. Hmmm?
There was no line at the Renaissance Hotel desk, and we were easily checked in for the next three nights. Two nights on us, and one on our cruise company. Our timing was perfect because we ran right into friends Martha and Bob, who will also be on the entire world cruise. We have lots of catching up to do. We did need to use the room card to operate the elevator, which did not always work. They were remodeling these two elevators last year, but it appears more work needs to be done to make it right. Within minutes, we had our few things stashed, the computer set up, then headed off for an early dinner.
We always walk to Duffy's Sports Bar and Grill, about a half-mile hike from the hotel. It was about the same time as the sun was going down. The temperature was surprisingly cooler than we remember, but who's complaining? Normally we expect very warm and humid temps. The forecast for Sunday, boarding day, is calling for rain. Hope not, but we do have a bus ride with our group and should not get wet.
Dinner at Duffy's was an experience in itself. Today was New Year's Day and a Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena with Alabama and Indiana. We walked right into the middle of the game which was wild and crazy time for many local young fellows from here. Lots of drinking had been happening, so it sounded like the roof was going to blow off. Never saw anything like it ever. Obviously, these guys were Indiana fans, who ended up winning big by the way. We did enjoy our meal of chicken wings, salad, and a shared bacon cheeseburger with fries. No beer, but Pepsis were best. Since the restaurant was full of customers, our meal lasted over two hours. But it was sure good. We'll more than likely be back here tomorrow evening.
The walk back was in the dark, but the streets were full of folks doing what we were doing. One fellow outside Duffy's asked us how we liked the food. He continued to say he and a group of 14 were boarding a Celebrity ship tomorrow. We added that we were on a Holland ship but did not elaborate. People here seem to be friendlier than back home. Or perhaps it is the booze talking? Not us this time….them.
Despite the fact that the clocks said we were three hours ahead of Pacific time, both of us were exhausted. Traveling is a hard job sometimes, but someone has to do it, right? Until tomorrow, good evening.
Bill & Mary Ann
