Well, we've had to cut our trip short. We have a family emergency at home. We're
not going to discuss it on camera.
*** CHEERFUL MUSIC ***
We are in El Tunco, in El Salvador and We are really sad to go, because the
people here, are just the best!! They're giving us a lift to the airport to
help us, and I want to get this lady on camera, because she's got the best face
ever, and she's been so lovely. So this is Lupe and she's in charge of this Airbnb
situation, with her husband. They are an awesome family, and they have just
accepted us and taken us in and looked after us. So muchas gracias !!
muchas gracias
*** Music ***
So we're up early again, it's 8 a.m, and we're hitting the road.
And today, is a little bit of an unusual day, because we're not doing the tourist
thing, and we've had to cut our stay here in El Tunco short, and today we're flying
from San Salvador via Houston in America, back to London in the UK.
So sometimes, you just have to go home, to support family members through some problems or
difficult times. And this is one of those times, where we have to head home for
a couple of weeks. But don't worry, it's only for a couple of weeks, and we have
return flights to Guatemala City, so we will be back on the road in no time at all.
*** Music ***
Going Home !!
*** Music ***
Muchas gracias, Gracias, Mucho gusto
So after a short 45-minute drive, we have
arrived at San Salvador Airport, and now we just need to go and find the United
stand.
*** Music ***
So actually, normally when we check in our rucksacks, we have a rucksack cover to
protect the straps, but we actually left some of our stuff at our friends house,
Kattia, in San Jose in Costa Rica. So we don't actually have any covers for our
rucksacks. It's always a good idea to tie your straps, because
sometimes they could get caught in the conveyor belts, and damage your rucksack,
so we're just doing that now before we try and check in - one of Marianne's many
skills, is that she's actually very practical and she's managed to tie these
rack sacks up, in a really cool way, where there is no straps showing, they might be
a bit hard to lift up but actually it's never going to get stuck in a conveyor belt!!
No .. oh she's left it so we can still pick it up!!
*** Music ***
Before we go through security, I have a bit of drinking to do!! she's a drinker, Yeah.
Passports - Check, Tickets - Check, So we have just gone through to the departure area now, in San Salvador Airport, Which is super modern!
In fact as we go closer to the airport, there were quite a few modern resorts and modern hotels and we
know that the U.S. is very tightly linked with El Salvador, so there's
obviously a lot of trade and business and tourism here. So that's super cool
for El Salvador, so we're going to go find somewhere for coffee, because we need to
have some coffee, and something to eat, and we've got a couple of hours now to
wait for a flight to Houston. Apparently the weather says it's going
to be 11 degrees in Houston so that would start acclimatising us. Yeah, for the UK.
And I am so pleased there's aircon here, because it's one of the first
days I put long pants on.
or trousers, since we've arrived here in Central America.
Yeah, and socks.
*** Music ***
We've just found the Cadejo Brewing Company! That we saw at the art
festival, and we were going to go and do a brewery
tour, and we are not going to be able to do that now, because we're flying home. So I'm really
pleased if we will be able to support them a little bit longer whilst we're in El
Salvador.
*** Music ***
Breakfast time, so I've ordered a muffin and it comes with chips which
I didn't expect for breakfast ! but thats good it will refuel me for the day and
Mariannes' got a delicious-looking omelette - vegetable omelette ! with avocado.
*** Music ***
So we are just boarding the plane, now to Houston and
all on time, all good, and we managed to get an aisle seat, which is great for my
legs, because being six foot three or one meter 89, is always a bit tight on an
aeroplane, it was even tighter on the local buses! oh it was it really was, the
chicken buses, not made for me, you don't get many school children my height!
*** Music ***
This is our first United flight !! Welcome , we are excited to have you !!
*** Music ***
So after a three-hour flight, we have arrived in the airport of Houston, and we
got about three hours for our connecting flight, luckily we don't have
to collect the bags, they get transferred for us, but we need to go through
immigration and then find our departure gate. On the plane all the staff were
really friendly and lovely, so thank you United we had a lovely flight !!
*** Music ***
We've made it through immigration, which you still have to do
even though you're in transit, and now we need to try and find where we collect
our boarding pass, for the second flight, because they were unable to issue it in
San Salvador. 'Connecting flights' there you go, we're heading in the right
direction so that's always a good start
*** Music ***
We, have managed to collect our tickets so that's all good, but unfortunately
they don't have seats next to each other!! We've got one in front and one behind,
but we'll try and ask at the gate.
She said, check at the gate - she said they might be able to do something ...
Flight number two!
So yeah, next flight, Houston to London Heathrow and then we are going to pick up Trudy, Trudy !! We love Trudy !!
Well, we have just been informed for the fifth time by the lovely lady on the desk, that we
are to
Open your passport, and hold it like that !! Don't hand it like that !!! Or else !!
*** Music ***
So we're just about to board, our final flight, to London Heathrow. And this is Jenny
by the way, I think she's going to be trouble on this flight! She is behind you !! oh no she's not!!
*** Music ***
What's amazing, is that we boarded the plane, and the guys that were sat here,
Are so super super nice, that they have actually swapped seats so that we can sit
together, so we're super super happy! Thanks to the guys in the front, thank you.
*** Music ***
So we arrived at the London Heathrow, after about a 9 to 10 hour flight. I don't
actually know exactly how long it was !
*** Music ***
So we are stood here at the carousel and the bags have apparently all come off, and so
far, our bags haven't arrived so we're going to just go and see they did say that
they would put them straight on in transit, so we didn't have to collect
them, so fingers crossed, they might still arrive. Let's go, and see what they say.
So, well, unfortunately in all the years I have travelled, I have never actually lost
a bag. But today, United Airlines managed to lose both of them, so when we checked in,
in San Salvador, they told us not to collect the bags in Houston, they would
put them straight on to the connecting flight, which the lady here confirmed. So
the problem is, living out of a rucksack and selling all of your belongings,
literally means, you have no belongings. So unless they deliver the bags quite
quickly, within a day or two, we might have a big problem! yes, they've actually
given us these little water bottles with a shaving kit and toothbrush, it is a start.
It is a nice gesture because we explained that everything we own is
in that rucksack.
*** Engine starting ***
First time Trudy!! good stuff, so amazingly Trudy started first time this morning.
And so all going according to plan, and we are heading up into the middle of
England
*** Music ***