Stuck in a Freezer

Okay, I wasn't actually stuck in a freezer. It was an airport.  Let me just start from the beginning.

It was time for Perry and me to hop over to Guam for a few weeks.  With a youth retreat kicking off this weekend and VBS next week, there was work to be done!  I'd been watching flights for a few days and knew Monday was "the" day to get to Guam.  I decided on the 6:00pm flight so my ride wouldn't have to stay up late for me. Getting on that flight was a bit iffy, but if I didn't make it, the next flight (9:50pm) was wide open.

After going through TSA, I entered the main portion of the airport and nearly gasped  Someone (between the last five million times I've been through Saipan and this time) either 1) decided to start using the air con 2) fixed the air con or 3) purchased a new aircon. WOW, it was COLD!  I was not prepared for this since, typically, I am very hot in the Saipan airport.  I had wet hair, which made things worse.  I had on a short sleeve shirt, a knee length skirt, and sandals.  Sadly, the normal boy scout of flying was caught unprepared.  At the last minute, I decided to check one of my carry-ons. (I'm not guaranteed a seat, but I can check two, 70lb bags!)  And in that now checked carry-on was my jacket.

Since they would probably be boarding in an hour, I wasn't too concerned. I could managed.  Plus, I had television (CNN-Asia) for the first time since I left Oklahoma so I could catch up on the news.

Of course, the one time I'm freezing, the incoming plane would be about 30 minutes late.  Finally, they started calling people to get to the boarding area.  I made my way closer in case I got a boarding pass.  Eventually, a guy came over..."Miss Smith?"  (Just because I was the only white girl in the building, he assumed I was "Smith"?)  Who cares....I had a boarded pass. Seat 1C.

I went to sit in the boarding area, and realized after a few minutes something wasn't right.  Why aren't we boarding???

An airline representative announced there was a mechanical issue and the flight would be delayed 3hrs 50mins. I HAD TO SPEND ANOTHER 4 HOURS IN THIS FREEZER! I WAS GOING TO DIE! (There was also concern that they wouldn't get the plane fixed and instead fly only one flight to Guam that night...in which case I was doomed.)

I was trying to gather information whether they would indeed fly two planes or whether they would only fly one.  (Our flight was rescheduled for the same time as the next flight, so it seemed a bit doubtful they were flying two planes.)  No one had a definite answer, so suffer I must.  While gathering no information, I overheard a French lady saying she'd rather the plane be fixed then crash in the ocean. (Really? She had to say that?)  I decided to leave the boarding area to try to find a warmer spot in the airport.  But everywhere I went the French Lady was there too.  She saw the pilots come through and began drilling them about the issue, so I found a means of escape and bolted to the other side of the airport.  Fear not, the Crazy French Lady found me.

Since many passengers were missing a connecting flight, they brought up snacks while they could process food vouchers for everyone (well, everyone except me).  I couldn't believe it when the guy came to me, "Miss Smith, though we can't give you a food voucher, you are welcome to have a snack." I was shocked!  I actually got a bottle of water and a can of Pringles!  (The crazy French lady decided she was going to save her can of Pringles as a souvenir.)

The cold continued to build.  So while Crazy French Lady was off spending her $10 food voucher  at the one "cafe" in the airport, I worked on a way to stay warm.

I shoved part of my legs in my backpack and then used my neck pillow to cover the exposed section of my leg.  I scooted my Bible out to cover any remaining skin not covered.

Then I saw this guy. I considered mugging him for his coat...


Well, they did fly both planes. (It was a radio issue in case you were wondering).  I ended up making it to Guam about 11pm and was in the house about 11:30pm.

And so you have a face to go with the Crazy French Lady...here she is...

Welcome to Micronesia

You know you're in Micronesia when...
1) Your luggage gets bumped off a flight to make room for 14 coolers of fish.
2) The power continuously goes off.
3) You're wondering if you'll ever have dry clothes again from all the sweat.
4) It is perfectly normal to drive a car where you have to roll down the window to open the door from the outside. (But the window rolly-down-thingy is broken, so you actually have to get it off the floor and hold it with one hand, while cranking it with the other hand.)
5) You're okay with the lizards being in the house. They eat the ants.
6) You're the fastest driver on island. (Speed limit is 35...so slow.)
7) You get up and go to bed with the sun.
8) It is perfectly acceptable to eat a bag of dried mangoes for supper.
9) You realize it has been 9 days since you fixed you're hair....and there is no end of that pattern in sight.
10) You're so happy because the beaches, spa, and flowers are just so beautiful!

Maui, Day 4

This was my final day on Maui.  We decided to go to Mars.  Or Haliaka-la-la-la-la-la-la-la Volcano.  Also known as Haliaka-ha-ha-ha Volcano (Remember, that is the traditional "Laura" word, not the traditional Hawaiian name.)

10,000 feet we went

I saw the thermometer hit 58 degrees in tropical Hawaii!

My last evening was spent back in La-hiney for the beach and for more Dole Whip.

Maui, Day 3

Some call it the Road to Hana.  I call it the Road to Rotten Mangoes.  Whatever the name, it is full of gorgeous sites and really steep cliff lines that I'm not sure any car should be driving on.  But at least they warn you that it is dangerous.


Beautiful sites!





This was our chosen swimming hole for the day.  (You see the tip top of the rock cliff thingy in the middle of the water....people jump off that.  But not me because I'm heeding the sign I saw at the beginning of the day. And because mom told me to be careful.)

We ended the evening with dinner on the golf course.

Maui, Day 2

The second morning on Maui consisted of more Hawaiian coffee.  Then Ashley took us for  a drive along the country side.  Along this drive we found the Maui County Fair and 4-H Livestock Show. This made me very happy because all things 4-H makes me happy.


I also found me a couple of boyfriends along the drive...


I questioned for a bit if I was in OK or Hawaii with all the cows...


But then you see flowers and realize it is definitely Hawaii.


That evening we went out to people watch on Baldheaded Beach.


Followed by a trip to Buttcheek Beach to watch the turtles come in.

Maui, Day 1

My friend Ashley has lived on Maui for three entire years, and I had yet to visit.  (See previous years of Perry & Smitty blogs to get to know Ashley.)  All that changed this year.

Perry, Ashley, and I  kicked off our day with Hawaiian coffee.  (Best part of waking up is Hawaii in your cup.)

We visited the cute little town of La-hiney.  (Please note that the names in all Maui blogs are made up, but the places are real.  All Hawaiian street, town, and beach names are either what I hear or what I see.)  La-hiney is probably known for it's shopping, tourism, beautiful view.  But for me it features one thing--Dole Whip.  (How I love you, Dole Whip.  How it had been way to many years since I got to savor your pineappley taste.)

The second best thing about La-Hiney was this beautiful truck....

But I suppose the ocean view isn't really all that bad either...


Of course, when you visit Hawaii you have to chase a lava field.  Having lived in Saipan, I know just how bloody a lava field can become, so we stuck to the trail.  (I have a few lava scars from my dumber days.)

And on the trail, we found goats....

And ancient Hawaiian lava-rock formations....


We ended the evening like all good islanders should...with fish tacos.

Perry Reports on the Flight

Perry here.  It's not every year I get the first blog of the season.  I'm hear to say that I got to fly FIRST CLASS!!!  I know what you're thinking....plush seats, good food, free TV.  Oh no.  I'm use to flying in the cargo section of the airplane.  However, this year I got to sit up top.  Better yet, I had my own seat! (Smitty probably doesn't feel like it was first class.  Back of the plane, little seats, little leg room, no food, and no free TV. Smitty refused to pay $6 for recorded Direct TV or for a movie on 3" screen.  But I was in paradise.)

Always fly with a neck pillow.  

Remember to keep seat-belts securely fastened when you are at your seat. 

Check out my first selfie.