But this did not eventuate, all because I decided to take a little nap two hours before my scheduled check-in time at the Perth Domestic terminal.
I was supposed to catch the Saturday 7:30am flight together with two of my friends who were heading back to India via Singapore while mine was through Brisbane.
That little nap surely took a toll on me, only to be ended when my mobile phone rang. I jumped out of bed and quickly grabbed my phone. I was so surprised to see the time and name flashing on the screen -... 7:00am...7:00am....
It was my friends from the airport trying to bid their last farewell. I did not answer the call as it became my alarm snooze - THE PANIC BUTTON WAS JUST SWITCHED ON.... I went into rush hour mode.
I quickly dragged my luggage out of the apartment (left the key inside as instructed by the agent) and into the lift at level 8 while calling Swan Taxi Service for pick up. The lift opened at level two and I carried my stuff one by one through the door and into another lift heading for ground zero.
As I was moving my stuff out of the lift I saw the cab drove into the parking lot. I immediately ran to the cab, ID myself and asked the taxi driver to help me with my stuff. He was very helpful. He even used his blackberry mobile to look up the Qantas Customer Service line for me to call and inform them of my situation.
At 7:15am, Brisbane bound passengers boarded the plane. My two friends were already inside the Singapore airline while I was at a RED light traffic somewhere in the middle of Perth. My head was spinning like crazy, my blood's flashing through my vains at full speed and in all direction as my call to the Qantas Customer service line went to the answering machine ....damn...Why??...Why???...Why did I have to take that little nap????....
7:25am, the taxi pulled up at the Perth domestic terminal and the taxi driver said "$26 dollars please", I paid my due and quickly loaded my luggage onto a trolley. It dawned on me that very split second that I had left one of my stuff back at the apartment. What the f###$$$!!!..
Fronted up at the Qantas check-in counter only to be told to reschedule my flight to the next available flight out of Perth and that was 11pm that evening. A scheduled 12.5 hour journey has now turned out to be a 30 hour journey all because of the little nap.
Consequence of the little nap:
- My journey has extened by an additional 18 hours
- Did not get to bid farewell to my Indian friends in person
- Left one of my stuff back at the apartment, a very valuable item
- Had a very uncomfortable sleep at the terminal for 18 hours
Despite the troubles I went through during this journey and the consequences faced, I did manage to get the stuff at the apartment on the same day while waiting at the Perth airport.
Why did I decide to take this little nap when it was nearly hours before my check-in time?? A statement came to mind - "THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON".Sitting in the Perth Terminal while waiting for my 11 midnight flight I reflected on this very statement and the day that had just passed. And it clicked on me that on Friday night as I was packing up I made a phone call to my two year old son and told him that I was arriving the next day Saturday at 8 o'clock in the night.
My son was filled with excitement and joy through his voice on the phone and then he said "Daddy, I want you to come during the day" and I replied and said "Son, the plane I'm getting on is scheduled to arrive in the night". And we ended the conversation with a "love you daddy" and "goodnight".
If things really do happen for a reason, then this little nap I had, which triggered my rescheduling of flight happened for a reason.
My rescheduled flight allowed for me to arrive in Port Moresby (PNG) on Sunday during the day as requested by my son during our phone conversation that Friday evening.
HIS WISH CAME TRUE....
Do not take your children's words for granted.
(Above): Me, sleeping at the Perth airport
(Below): My two kids, Christopher (6months) and Pisiolle (2yrs). Very busy discussing Daddy's arrival plan.
(Below): Yep, Back home - My complete family
