NEPAL, Flight Home Difficulties

 April 9, 2007

I leave today after an amazing adventure in the Himalayas.  My flight from Kathmandu leaves at 2:45 pm to Delhi, India and then a 6 hour layover until my direct flight to New York. Delhi Airport is not where you want a 6 hour layover. Upon arriving in Delhi I was unable to find a reservation desk to get my boarding pass for the flight home but I did hear them calling out names for upcoming flights. I assumed that was the protocol, wait until your name is called. As departure time approached, I noticed a flight screen flashing that my plane was boarding and still no one has called my name. With only 1 flight per day from Delhi to the U.S. , I began to get concerned. Finally I found someone to help me and it seems the airline did not have me listed as a passenger by error. They wanted me to take another flight the next day (24 hours later) but I refused. Luckily I got on the plane with 15 minutes to spare and located my seat in the far back of the plane. My bags were not so lucky as there  was no time to check them. I was assured they would be sent later. 

A few minutes before takeoff, the pilot announced that the plane was completely full BUT he BELIEVED we had enough fuel to make it to New York without refueling. DID HE JUST SAY THAT OUTLOUD.... I was thinking to myself. 

Then I heard my name being called and asking me to come to the front of the plane to speak with a stewardess.  Immediately I thought I was going to be bumped because the plane was overloaded and I was the last to board. However, as my dad would say, " A blind hog found an acorn." LOL. I was being upgraded to 1st Class for the flight for all the trouble I encountered. Free gourmet food, snacks , drinks and room to sleep for next 12 hours was just what the doctor ordered. 

About an hour before arriving in New York, the pilot announced we would be making an unscheduled (emergency) landing at a military base in Canada for fuel. REALLY!!!!  Guess he didn't have enough fuel. Fortunately the remainder of the trip was uneventful.  Got my bags a week later. Still GREAT TRIP. 

Inconveniences are a small price to pay for amazing life experiences.