The day from hell......

Ok, I've been putting off writing this blog, as it was a VERY stressful day,
one that I didnt really wish to relive any time soon, but I suppose for the sake of keeping a record I'll give it a go.

Please keep in mind that Melbourne was still ungodly hot and I was having to drag around several heavy bags in my new suitcase.

Ok, so I'd already arranged with the hostel that I'd get a shuttle to the airport, which
is a service that they offer. I got up early as advised and booked it, by showing the lady my printed ticket and she advised the shuttle would be here to pick me up outside the hostel.
I packed up all my stuff and was there ready for the shuttle. After a half hour journey I was at the airport and wandered up to the Jetstar desk to check in.
I couldn't see any mention of the flight to take me back to Sydney... and asked what time the flight was?
after looking at my ticket, the very cheerful man announced
"oh... you're at the wrong airport, you need Avalon"

You can imagine my response to that "are you serious?! I've just been dropped off here!"
He looked at his watch and stated that I wouldn't make it in time to make my flight and the only thing he could do would be to put me on the later one?.... i didn't really have much of a choice.

On the way out of the airport I rang the shuttle company who claimed the hostel had booked it, so it wasnt their fault. So I rang the hostel and had a very loud argument with them there. Their response was basically "oh... well you're not at this hostel anymore, so we're not going to do anything"!!!!?!??! - not even a sorry or any attempt at an apology...
"so you've left me stranded at an airport and you're not even going to help at all???"
"no... but please let us know if you need to stay another night"
..... my response was colourful to say the least and quite a few nasty swearwords came out my mouth before I hung up on these idiots.

Ok.... so to get to the other airport I had to somehow get back to central Melbourne first, then get ANOTHER bus to the other company. I went to the shuttle desk that had brought me here... and pretty much begged the woman to help me and acted like I was about to cry. Sometimes playing blonde and helpless really does work. She said I could be taken back to the city for free.

When I got to Melbourne Central Bus Station, I bought my ticket from the office.... who announced "oh that bus is just leaving... go stop it!"
so there's my running in the middle of the bus terminal screaming "wait, wait!!". Of course it didn't wait!! - but ok I thought there must be another one soon.
When I got back to the desk the lady said "oh the next one is 2 and half hours wait".
"WHAT?!" was my response. So she gave me the next bus time and sent me on my way.
.... after a consolatory trip to Hungry Jacks (Burger King) for a lot of bad food to make me feel better, I sat down for the long wait.

Somewhere near the time of the bus, an announcement called out saying the bus would be a few minutes late.... "...ok..." i thought as long as it actually turns up i'll still be ok.
The time came and went, and after about 15 minutes it still wasnt there... so this asian girl (who was also waiting) and me went up to the desk.
"oh, that bus doesnt run on a Friday"
omg... the amount of shouting that ensued then because this woman had told both of us that there would be a bus... and also the announcement!? what was THAT for?
She had a really nasty attitude to the whole thing and said we'll just have to wait 3 hours for the next one!!!! - now this was cutting VERY fine for my new flight.

I had no choice but to wait it out.... but I did so in the relative luxury of the airconditioning in the information lounge. I even stole their power supply for my laptop! - as if anyone was going to tell me different.

Anyway... so the time came and so did the bus.... 10 minutes late of course but it came. The journey to Avalon Airport was about 50 minutes the other direction of the main airport. We pulled up to what looked like a small hanger in a field!?! - of course this is the airport :s

Rushing to the desk I was trying to hurry to get everything done. It was now that the clerk announced that my suitcase was too heavy and I was going to have to pay $50 extra. I deliberated... i'm not sure why.... but in the end just said "UGH just take it" and threw the money at him.

*can this get any worse??* i thought.

yes.

As I was going through the scanner i was #randomly chosen for a thorough inspection# which involved going through almost everything I had. I noticed no-one else had been chosen for this.
I think my response was something like "Oh yes... of COURSE you want to do that to me... TODAY, NO.... PROBLEM".

After all that I needed some alcohol and had a beer at the bar. I didnt have to wait too long for the plane, but managed to leave my hoodie on the seat. Luckily this young lad ran up to with it, but that would've been the icing on the cake really wouldn't it?

The flight thankfully was very pleasant and didn't seem to even take an hour.

My bag was one of the first out on the turntable and also as I got to the train platform, the guard was just about to blow the whistle but stopped to nod at me to let me on. During the short trip to Town Hall station in Sydney I was chatted to by 2 different very friendly people! - I hoped that this was the sign of things to come! I got to the new hostel very easily as I hadn't been sure where it was. The room, I loved it as soon as I got there! - Air conditioning and en suite toilet and shower!! - what luxury!!!! a shower was very much needed after that day and I met all my roomies, one of which was a lovely scottish girl called Emma which I almost immediately bonded with and sat on the floor chatting with.

phew what a day.