Well I got my wish. I’m staying longer in Greece…because I am a f*!king IDIOT😡
I sail through customs and security. I’m awaiting my flight at the gate and approach Air Canada staff as I have to get some paper work checked before boarding since I checked in online. The nightmare begins.
My PCR test was done an hour too early and they won’t allow me on the plane. Apparently even if it’s a minute early you’re shit out of luck. This is what I get for being too organized and gung-ho to get my test done. I’ve instantly contracted an ulcer and start sweating. I’m saying expletives under my breath and berating myself for being so stupid. How did I not calculate the 72 hours correctly?! Has dementia set in or has my brain turned to mush that I can’t figure out something I learned in grade school?!? I am not a rookie traveler and this is totally embarrassing that I would do something so dumb. The ticket agent is sympathetic and says this has happened many times in the last six months.
With all that said, I’m not leaving Athens today. The Air Canada staff are amazing and change my flight to tomorrow without a fee. They suggest I get my PCR test in the airport and I will have the results before my flight tomorrow. I’ve just paid for yet another PCR test at the airport. I find the testing site, shell out another 60 euros (Grrrr) and am advised I will receive the results tomorrow.
I wander through the airport still trying to grapple with the fact that I’m not catching my flight. I’ve never missed a flight over the last twenty years of traveling. I find a spot to sit and think of what I’m going to do over the next 24 hours. I research if there’s an airport lounge that I can hang out in but they’ve all received shit reviews. I find a hotel across the street and then remember I have my rewards from Hotels.com. A glimmer of hope in this decidedly shite day. Success! I use my rewards to book a room at the five star, Sofitel, and head over. My room is beautiful and the bed is unbelievably comfortable. This is MUCH better than sleeping on the dirty floor at the airport.
I email my coworkers and let them know that they work with a numpty (I’m sure they won’t argue with that analysis) and will not be coming into work as planned. I can’t wait to deal with all the comments upon my return.
Covid test results arrive and I’m negative…again. At least I know I don’t have to worry about having the virus🙄. Note to self for future travels: properly calculate 72 hours for the pre-departure PCR test!!
