We arrived at Chicago O'Hare International Airport around 1:45 pm yesterday afternoon. Security was smooth sailing and the entire experience of being in an airport and flying was all new for several members of our group. We are traveling with a group of 23 inviduals this trip: Four JHS Staff Chaperones, two parents, 17 students. Our flight from O'Hare departed on schedule and we were off to London's Heathrow Airport. From movties, games, TV shows, etc. that were available on the seatbacks throughout the lengthy transatlantic flight, there was a wide variety of entertainment options to keep everyone occupied and at-ease. It was a smooth, but long flight and everyone was in good spirits when we landed at Heathrow, but then this is where the story changes. Are arrival was delayed due to unusually strong headwinds for the duration of the flight, so we actually arrived at the gate a mere 10 minutes before we were set to board our connecting flight to Rome. Due to further delays in getting from the "off-site" drop-off on the tarmac and having to wait for shuttle buses to transport all passengers back to the main terminal, our JHS group missed our connecting flight to Rome. Mr. Klecker's resolve and quick thinking, got us connected with a British Airways representative and in short order, alternate flight arrangements had been made to get our entire group to Rome. Every traveler in the group even received a 10 pound gift card for their troubles. Party 1 would consist of a mere four group members: Mrs. Dwyer's sister-in-law, Julie, and her daughter Sophia, Carmen, and Mr. E were informed that they would be boarding a direct flight to Rome that would be leaving in four and a half hours at 1:55 pm local time. Party 2, the other 19 JHS travelers were informed that they would be flying to Madrid to catch a different connecting flight to Rome. Everyone made it through security at Heathrow and were busy biding their time until their new flights were ready to board.
Party 1 explored everything that Heathrow had to offer. They even met up briefly with Party 2 where Mr. E was presented with a gummi pig head with some of the travelers in Party 2. (Note: the gummi pig head was the same color pink as a pink eraser, but was informed by one of the travelers that it "tastes nothing like an eraser.") Party 2 was on their way to their connecting flight in Madrid and Party 1 continued to explore Heathrow, because we had several hours of downtime we still needed to burn. Party 1 decided to explore a Gordon Ramsay restaurant and it didn't disappoint. Sophia enjoyed a great hamburger and Mr. E rolled the dice on his first "authentic" fish and chips which was different. Upon further review, a Friday Fish Fry anywhere in SE Wisconsin beats "fish and chips" anyday!
Now, for the real fireworks. While Party 1 was airborne and on its way to Rome, the world decided that Party 2 had not had enough "fun" traveling throughout the day, so it threw a few more wrenches in the works. Upon landing in Madrid, Party 2 missed yet another connecting flight to Rome. Each traveler received another gift card for their troubles, and the prospects were looking good that Party 2 would finally be making it to their destination a mere 12 hours later than our initially scheduled arrival time. Party 1 met up with our EF tour director, Pietro, who led us to our tour bus where we were taken to our first hotel in Italy. Once we got checked into our rooms, Party 1 enjoyed our first full Italian meal of the trip and eagerly anticipated word from Mr. Klecker and Party 2.
At 9:45 pm, Mr. Klecker communicated that Party 2 had finally boarded a plane heading for Rome!
It's going to be a late night for the travelers of Party 2, but we'll all finally be reunited as a complete group again!
Tomorrow is our first full day in Rome!
