One of the longest days of my life
So there I was, arriving at Ben Gurion 3 hours before my flight like is recommended. When I get to counter checker, I make a joke about "How are you planning on entering America" to which I answer - on the plane I am hoping, and then she laughs and says no, on a Visa/passport etc.?
Shortly after that, they told me to walk with them to another counter. At the other counter they explained that apparently the flight is overbooked and I might not be able to get on this original flight. If not, I will get 3500 shekel or a round trip to anywhere. I need to come back in an hour, and find out, in the meantime, here is a voucher for a drink and snack. All of this is fine, and as I start walking, I wonder if I should go back and tell them I prefer the compensation.
After watching airplanes in terminal 3 for an hour, drinking a coke and eating a croissant, I headed back to the counter to await the determination. They told me that they apologize, the flight is full, and I will be going to Newark through Munich the next morning on the 8:50 flight. Now, if the Lions had made the next round, hell would have broken loose. But, since they didn't and then my next plans on the Sunday were cancelled, I didn't mind too much, and was happy about the compensation, which more than takes care of our flights to Vienna in a few months as a family.
So I had to kill a bunch of hours In the airport in the middle of the night. I sat in comfy chairs in Chabad, got dinner from McDonalds, walked around to find the best spot to watch airplanes, talked to new friends, listened to music, davened in a minyan, got donuts from McDonalds. Finally, it was time to board to Germany.
The flight was nice, I was next to a German converted Jewish and her daughter, which made for good conversations, and I slept for a couple hours. Landing in Germany is beautiful because you have the Alps mountains on your left with their snowy tops.
I was able to get the last window seat on the long flight which was nice (and ended up having an empty middle seat. Then me and a new friend went to find the lounge, since he could bring in one guest. That airport is massive, we had to take a shuttle to get to the lounge terminal. When there, we found friendly airlines like Qatar, Egyptian, Emirates, Turkish, so that was fun. The lounge (my first time in a lounge) was nice, a nice place to rest and eat fruit.
The next flight was long but good. I slept for about half of it, and watched movies. I hung out with my friends I made and a funny moment was one bathroom break all the Chassidim were playing bejeweled. I asked where they came from and they said they did Shabbat in Sanz. So I said, oh near Netanya? And they said, no, in Hungary. The landing was fun because I saw over 15 planes flying near so that was cool.
Anyway, the flight ended and within 4 minutes we were at baggage claim. I found my bag, said good bye to my friends, and found Aliza outside, who was there to pick up Mo and kids. We got pizza, picked up a few things at the grocery store, and I ubered to Manhattan (21 minutes). I then went to meet the people at the Irish pub, and calledf it a night after talking to my kids who had woken up. Got to the airport Saturday night at 10 pm Israel time, and arrived at the hotel at 6 am Tuesday Israel time. I missed the Championship games unfortunately but that is life. It was worth it for Vienna, and in the end, I am not complaining at all because of the lounge, seats on the planes, and comp.
Ready for a great SKO!!
