Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Later Sunday August 5
Apparently I have offended some ancient Amazonian God or something who was out to make me suffer for my sins.
In both Sao Paulo and Goiania TAM, the airline I'm flying, has self check in machines which are quick and efficient. When I left Goiania all of the return information was there and confirmed. I expected to find the same set-up in Manaus but they don't have it. This is surprising because the Manaus airport is much larger and more technologically equipped than Goiania in other respects.
So after what was a very long wait to get to an agent considering there were only about 5 people ahead of me, the agent couldn't find my information in the system. Apparently the confirmation code system that they use just about everywhere isn't operational there. I kept insisting that I was there because I had seen it myself a few days earlier.
Finally she called a supervisor over and after checking she insisted that I must be confused and am booked on another airline. She wasn't happy when I kept insisting that not only was it the right airline but I could even tell her the exact seat I had.
Finally, she called her supervisor who went off for awhile and finally came back and said he had finally found me. And yes it was the assigned seat I had kept insisting it was.
By that time what had started off as a reasonably leisurely check-in only left enough time for a couple of emails before boarding.
Then we sat on the Tarmac for an hour. I have no idea what the problem was but they came and checked one guy and opened his carry on bag and then left. I thought maybe that was the problem but we continued to sit. Finally we took off with no explanation or apology for the delay. I wonder how many missed connecting flights.
After we landing it took what seemed to be an eternity for the luggage to arrive. Not just mine, everyone's. I was beginning to think maybe it was coming by truck from Manaus.
The result was I arrived at the hotel much later than expected.
When I arrived in Brazil, I vowed no MacDonalds or hamburgers. For almost three weeks I almost succeeded. But by the time I finally arrived I was getting hungry and cranky. I asked if any restaurants were around other than the MacDonalds attached to the building. The clerk said not at this time of night and he wouldn't recommend walking alone at this time of night.
So a vow was broken and I would just like to apologize to whatever God I offended and say "You Win!"
- comments
William Washburn Dear Stan: Thank you for your insightful, colourful descriptions of world you've been exploring. I look forward to your oral elaborations of what you have written. In the meantime, please keep observing, keep safe, and good luck! Bill W.