29 October 2009

Leaving Milwaukee for New Zealand: Returned home from staying overnight in a local hotel – no beds, no blankets… started packing furiously; all the last minute stuff! We had 7 suitcases; Volodya brought 3 more at 10. The van we reserved to drive us to Chicago was to arrive at 1045. V’s mom arrived at 0930. So all the bags were out front at 1030 and we waited. And waited, and waited! Finally at 1115, we called the van company. Well, they were picking us up on the 28th at 1045 p.m.!!!!! And no call from the company or anything when no one was there to get into the van. So we called yellow cab and they were there within 15 minutes and off we went! So much for being at the airport early! We get down near O’Hare and the driver just drives right past! He is relying on the GPS and not the road signs, so we drive 10 miles past the exit - by this time we are back to hysterics! We turn around, and make it to O’Hare. We leap out of the van, get the bags, pay the driver, get a porter to take our 10 bags plus 8 carry-on bags and run into the airport to get into the check in line. “Where is the framed diploma?” Left behind in the taxi! Call yellow cab, they can’t contact the driver. Get through check in, get into line for security. V’s phone rings, it’s Time Warner – what is the problem with Maya’s (Volodya's mother) computer (this after V has already spent at least 5 hours on the phone and with live people in Maya’s apartment)? Get that vaguely resolved, still no word from the driver of the taxi. Get to the gate, buy food for the kids, the boarding of the plane starts – and we’re off to LA!