Home again...

[shadowkat]

Above is NYC at sunset, taken from the plane, over 20,000 feet above the city.

Returned around 6:30 pm, and disembarked around 6:45 or so, because the gate agent wasn't at the gate. When we left the plane, there was a booming alarm at our gate - and literally no one in that section of the terminal.
It was like an episode out of the Twilight Zone. The entire section was empty. The only people at gates 81-89 were the people on the small plane from Hilton Head. Also upon exiting these gates, there was no one but us on the way to baggage claim or on the way out of the building. There were more people at Hilton Head's tiny airport - and most of those were on the plane with me.

It took a good twenty-five minutes to get to the cab line. And there was no one there, but the person checking in the cabs and well fifty some cabs all waiting for passengers that did not appear. I was the only one who popped up. The guy driving my cab, who hailed from Jordan by way of Suffolk County, Long Island - said he'd been waiting over three hours.

It was kind of unsettling. I've never seen such an empty airport - and Laguardia, no less. I wondered what happened.

The cab ride home was for the most part uneventful - although after driving around Hilton Head for the last eight days - I've decided New York Drivers, specifically NYC drivers are insane. They should all have their licenses revoked. Anyone who thinks it is safer driving a car in NYC - is crazy.
When we pulled up in front of my apartment complex - which is a narrow street along side Ocean Parkway - it's basically one way street, walking/biking median, four lane street, island, one way street. With parked cars on both sides, and street lights. Anyhow, when we pulled up and I was busy hunting money to pay the cabbie - and having troubles seeing it in the dark - all the dingbat cars that lined up behind us and had decided to pull out of their parking spots to do so - honked at maxium volume behind me. I gave them the finger, and cursed them out. So did the cabbie.
It was a red light, they couldn't go anywhere anyhow. Again, I rest my case, New York City Drivers are insane.

Upon entering the apartment building - I discovered two things: 1) that they are replacing all the laundry machines, and the money machine, and raising the prices (per the sign on the door), and 2) my fire alarm was apparently low on batteries after all and beeping a mean streak. It wasn't steam, it was a low battery. The super took it down, told me to get a new batter, and he'd reinstall, early next week. (I have tall ceilings and you need a ladder to get to it.)

I'm tired, and after a week at my mother's house - feel an overwhelming urge to declutter. I need to get rid of books, papers, and organize clothing. It's also cooler here.

Below is a photo of my last day in Hilton Head...we ate at the Crazy Crab (I had a shrimp and crab boil, and mother had crab cakes. I couldn't finish it - so I packed up the rest of the shrimp and potatoes (red potatoes) for Mother to eat tomorrow. The shrimp had to be peeled.) Also had a frozen strawberry margarita - to take the edge off my nerves. Outside of eating, we sat and watched people and boats in the harbor. The Crazy Crab has been on Hilton Head Island for fifty years.

Comments

[iddewes]

I hope you had a good trip!

[spiffikins]

I think you mean feet not miles?

This photo was taken 9544 miles above Earth -



That's really weird about the empty airport!

You might look at getting a 10 year smoke/carbon monoxide detector that doesn't need you change batteries ever - once it starts beeping, after 10 years, you replace the detector - they need to be replaced every 8-10 years anyway!

[shadowkat]

Thanks. Corrected now. I thought I'd put feet, but for some reason put miles. (I do that a lot - always have to proof read.)

Also thank you for the suggestion of the 10 year smoke/carbon monoxide detector. I got one on Amazon for $32, and it's worth it. Although I'll probably leave within five for another place, yet still a good idea. The new one has a lithium battery built in, and LED light - telling me what the issue is as opposed to just beeping.