Wednesday, Oct. 29th
The time of the flight (3:00pm) made it impossible to get a ride to the airport, so I had to catch a LIRR train to Jamaica station and then a $5.00 shuttle bus to La Guardia. The whole trip almost turned to sh*t right there, when I dropped my wallet coming off the bus at the airport. Luckily another passenger noticed and brought it to my attention.
I got there about two (maybe more) hours before the flight, which is unnecessary
for a domestic flight. I'm used to missing buses and trains. I'd rather not
experience missing a plane, so I tried to play it as safe as possible.
This was my first time at La Guardia as I mentioned before. Small airport compared
to Kennedy. Kinda like a mini mall. All airports are like malls, it seems.
The planes on this trip were a little smaller than I was used to, also. A Boeing
757 and a McDonnell Douglas MD80. The transfer was at Atlanta whose airport
was huge. There are trains to take you to the different concourses. I had plenty
of time so I walked.
Both flights went well (Delta), I thought. There was some turbulence, but it
was of the type that feels like driving on a bumpy road and didn't last long.
I arrived in New Orleans on time (quarter to eight), got my baggage fairly quickly
and was out the door looking for a cab in no time. I wasn't aware that the hotel
I was going to stay in (New Orleans Airport Plaza Hotel), provided free transportation
to and from the airport. I suppose this is to make up for the inconvenience
of being 15 miles away from downtown New Orleans. So I caught a cab, which cost
me $12.00. I'm pretty sure I was being over charged by the nearly toothless
old codger, but I let it go.
The room is pretty nice for $35 a night. I don't stay in many hotel rooms, so
maybe I just don't know any better. The bed could easily hold four people, and
the couch next to the night table had a pull out bed in case space was needed
for two more. I never expected a couch in my room, much less one with a bed
in it. It was neat of course, and air-conditioned. The hotel unfortunately,
does not provide internet access. One of the girls at the counter told me I
could go to Circuit City down the block, but they close at 9 pm. It had been
a long day so I stayed in my room, pulled out my maps and figured out What I'd
be doing next...
© 2004 George-Williams Isaacs
