Finally! A vacation! A visit with relatives and friends in Virginia!!!! And the planning - arrange to board my dog (pack her bag and send instructions, etc.), decide what I'm wearing, do laundry, clean out the fridge of any biology experiments gone bad, etc......
It all started with Amtrak. I made my reservations nearly 2 months ago and paid for them. It seems that they're doing the airline routine now about the same seats going for different prices, depending upon when they're booked. I got a really good rate for both ways and paid. Now all I have to do is visit the ticket machine before my trip, swipe my card, and tickets will appear. NOT SO FAST!!!! I was checking my bank statement and found a REFUND from Amtrak. ??????? When I called (waiting forever for a live person to answer), I was informed that I had canceled my reservations at an "e-ticket machine." Sorry....no.....haven't been near once since last year. The agent proceeds to tell me that I had. Okay, time for a supervisor. After being on hold again - this time with no music - I was told that "several calls had to be made," but I had my precious tickets at the same price and same reservation number returned.
When I asked how it happened and where were the safeguards, I was informed that anyone could have punched in an incorrect reservation number and hit "cancel" without bothering to read the instructions. Again - where is the safeguard? Had I not checked my account, I never would have known and would have ended up fighting with a ticket agent - probably missing my train because of the long lines in the station - and there would have gone my vacation. You see, Amtrak and the airlines operate by one policy: THE PASSENGER IS ALWAYS WRONG!
Fortunately, my kennel operates differently, and Gwyn has been pre-registered, with all instructions duly noted in her record - including meal servings, walks, play-time, etc. Sounds more like summer camp, huh?
My to-do list is such that I'll need a vacation from the vacation! UGH!!!!
At any rate, once I'm on the train, I plan to lean back with a cup of coffee and a good book (or my CD player) and watch the scenery as we head further south. When I get off the train, it will be in Manassas, VA at the old station which one of my uncles and my great-grandfather had restored - back in the 30s or 40s. Some of the original wood carvings are still there. On Sunday morning, I'm guest soloist at the church where members of my family have gone for years! And there I'll be - a Wiccan singing in church, but surrounded by cousins and close friends. Okay - one day is a working vacation, but in spite of all the preparations and extra to-do chores, when all is said and done, I will return home 5 days later feeling refreshed and ready to get back to my usual life.
Y'all have a nice weekend.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
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