It was supposed to be an easy trip. However, my travel luck got to run out somewhere/sometime eventually, after all there is a thing called a law of average! I am typically a lucky traveler. For the amount of travel that I do, I never miss a flight, my flights are almost never late, never cancelled. My luggage is never lost. I never miss my connection. And at the same time I hear numerous travel horror stories from my friends, family and colleagues! Well eventually my luck will run out, right?
Yes, today is such a day. I had a 10:10 am flight out of IAH that was supposed to get me in SFO at noon! I thought no rush in AM and no rush after I get to SFO. I go there a lot and I always like to take BART, which is the commuter subway train to the city. It is about a 45 min ride to the financial district where I will stay. I had a short meeting in the afternoon and then I will spend the weekend there just to enjoy the city!
Nop!
My flight was first 1 hr late. They mentioned it early enough so I left home late. But still thought, no big deal. Got to the airport and learned now it is 8 hrs late! No shit!
That is effectively a cancellation. Now 150 people suddenly looking for alternatives to get to SFO! You can guess what happens then! Luckily I was quick with my United App and managed a seat on a 5pm out of IAH, which got me to SFO at 7pm! Meeting is obviously toast! Will be able to do it tomorrow!
Well! At least I arrived at the city! Hey I managed to check in to the hotel as well! That is positive!
There is nothing better to get to a familiar city and a familiar hotel. For me it is like coming home sometimes. When I travel with other colleagues, I typically go out for a dinner or a drink depending on who full or tired I am, but since I am traveling by myself and I am quite full from the lounge and then airplane food, I am skipping dinner tonight.
I have got a nice view of the Trans America Pyramid from my room. For those who do not know, this iconic SFO landmark was designed by architect William L. Pereira, and was completed in 1972, standing at 853 feet with 48 stories, making it the tallest structure in San Francisco until the Salesforce Tower surpassed it in 2018. The pyramid is largely loved by the tourists but hated by the locals!
They have done nice things with the buildings recently I have heard, will go and check out tomorrow. There is a new Redwood park right next to the building and I have heard there are some wild parrots there! Now this is something that I will have to see tomorrow after my meeting! :)
But for now, goodnight from SFO!
