I've been in New York for 3 hours..

So many different FACES @ the airport that "connects the world". Got a number for a car service from my stepfather's niece who lives here in NYC. Turned out I should have called in advance, because after I picked up my bags, the service was booked for the next 4 hours.

So I bit the bullet and took a cab.

The airport cab service was a little booth next to the passenger pick-up outside, surrounded by a line of cab drivers just waiting eagerly for bait.

While picking up my suitcase, over and over I heard "do NOT just take a ride with anyone who offers. They may NOT have insurance or take you to the place you tell them to go to." Basically, they will rape you and take all yo' nice things.

Back to the cab booth. The black teen working the booth smiled big with braces when I walked up and complimented me on my nose ring saying "it looks beautiful." I quickly said thank you and got in the cab.

$48.50 + tip and an hour and a half later of the driver cursing at other drivers and closing my eyes due to weaving in and out of traffic, I arrived at 56th and 8th. Huge sigh of relief to see my sister's face.

Checked my e-mail at the starbucks below the AWESOMELY placed loft in times square -- only to see that my flight from JFK to Heathrow in London had been cancelled. The British Airways cabin crew are on strike!

the e-mail to my family says it best -

FYI-- Meagan, My flight to Spain had be rescheduled due to a British Airways Cabin crew strike!! Good News is-- I got it rescheduled to the same day I was supposed to leave originally -- bad news, My flight out is now at 9:55AM from JFK on Monday. (see below) Which means I will have to be at the airport by 7:30AM -ish. So if you can't take me in, I can totally take a cab. Just as long as I can still stay with you on Sunday eve. (More directed towards my family:) More good and bad news- As you can also see below, I now am overnight in London, instead of only a 3 hour layover, it's about 15 hours. (Working on seeing if I can get a hotel for reduced from the Airlines) BUT- Thankfully, my flight from London to Malaga did not change. So Annarita will still be picking me up at the same time, same day, on Tues, March 23rd.
So essentially, the only flight that changed was the one from JFK to London. It's just earlier in the day. Woo, what an adventure already! I'm sitting at a starbucks all safe and sound in the bustling city of Manhattan. Love you all!


Hoookay - time to get down on some overpriced hot dogs 'er something.