Love is Actually All Around (Copy)
We recently returned from an all-inclusive vacation in the Dominican Republic. While there, we enjoyed beautiful ocean views, delicious meals, and hundreds of laughs with friends. However, our return trip led us on a different adventure entirely--one that didn’t completely ruin our relaxed brains and bodies, but one that definitely tested our optimism and perspective. Grab an iced tea, and take a moment to relax as I weave this story of international travel, hungry Americans, hot temperatures, and honestly, a sincerely lovely group of humans.
Our travel plans changed before we left the resort: a two hour delay on our flight. We rolled with it, and grabbed one last Pina Colada as we loaded our shuttle, and planned extra shopping in the duty-free stores. No problem. After arriving at the outdoor airport venue, clearing security, and meandering through customs, we found the perfect chairs under a Big Ass Fan (That’s the real name; I’m not actually cussing in the newspaper.), and noticed the airline pushed our flight another hour. Original departure: 2 p.m. New departure: 5 p.m.. No problem. The people watching is superb, and food and drinks are plenty.
Flight delayed to 6 p.m.
Flight delayed to 7 p.m.
Finally! An announcement for passengers to gather at Gate Four. We gathered. We waited. We continued to wait. We wondered if the lonely plane emblazoned with our airline’s logo was ours to catch.
Flight delayed to 7:30 p.m.
Flight canceled.
Word traveled (in several languages) through the line of passengers not-so-patiently waiting to board. Shock registered on everyone’s faces. Rumors flew through the same line of passengers. “Check your email. They will make an announcement soon. Sounds like they are putting us up in a hotel. We won’t get our bags tonight. Wait, yes we will get our bags.” Finally, the gate agent spoke to a few people in the front of the line (no announcement as the airport prides itself on being “quiet”), and word filtered again down the line. Our travel group relayed the information to a young couple on their honeymoon. Others made similar pacts with fellow travelers. Suddenly, a whistle echoed through the airport, and one man from our line shouted the information clearly to the rest of us. (Sidenote: he became our unofficial spokesperson for the rest of the adventure.) The problem: DFW could not authorize our flight to land because of customs staff shortages. The Solution: The airline booked a local hotel (resort!), and shuttles would arrive shortly. Our flight would depart at 10 a.m. the next morning. It’s important to note here that nobody in our group received an email. No official verbal or written communication at all. We basically played follow the leader back through customs and baggage claim to the shuttles. I heard laughter and tears as we rode through the bumpy streets. Rain peppered the windows, and motorbikes ruled the road. We arrived at the hotel, gathered our belongings, and stumbled into a blistering hot lobby crowded with about 200 people waiting to check-in. I must admit, our hearts and optimism began to wane at this point. But, we found glasses, beverages, and snacks. We searched for a breeze, studied the resort map, and made a plan to find dinner.
10:00 p.m. Room keys in hand.
No elevators to the fourth floor. No A/C in our room. No towels in another room. No trash cans in a third room. Dirty showers in most rooms. We hopefully walked to the beach and inhaled seaweed and fish. We found the open dining room, and it was closed. The bars filled with party-goers as the music grew louder. And louder. My husband and I folded, and headed back to the sauna room to “sleep.” Our friends braved the burger stand, and indicated that they were indeed “brave” to have done so.
6 a.m. Take 2
We gathered in the lobby to board the charters, again playing follow the leader with no actual communication in writing from the hotel or airline. As we finally stepped to the front of the line we were informed we needed a card from the front desk indicating that we turned in our all-inclusive bracelets. More lines. More waiting. On the shuttle, we joked with other passengers about the luxury accommodations and if indeed we would leave on a jet plane that morning. We arrived at the airport, and worked our way through check-in, security, and customs. Again. We looked through the duty free shops. Again. We bought airport meals. Again. We found our Big Ass Fan Seats. Again. We gathered at Gate 4. Again.
And then we saw them. The crew.
Everyone in line cheered, laughed, smiled, hugged, and clapped as our pilot and flight attendants boarded the aircraft. The line started moving! We boarded a bus to our airplane, because well, more lines and waiting were obviously necessary. We boarded. We waited on bottled water, because again, more waiting. The flight attendant closed and locked the door! The entire plane cheered as the pilot welcomed us aboard and promised a worry-free vacation home.
We arrived without fanfare, and continued our game of follow the leader to baggage claim. This moment is when I saw It. I stood back and watched strangers exchange hugs and phone numbers. New friends shared social media accounts. “Same time next year!” rang through the terminal. People smiled, helped unload baggage, and laughed about the experience. Strangers hugged their goodbyes and wished each other well. You might remember the airport scene at the beginning and end of Love Actually; the narrator explains how airports show the beauty of the human experience. The Love of Hello and Goodbye. I experienced that moment with 220 other passengers as we cared for one another in an exhausting situation. However, reflecting on this entire adventure I must agree: Love is Actually All Around.