HAWAI'I: DAY 1

HAWAI'I: DAY 1

Wednesday November 15, 2017

I dressed as comfortably as possible: slippers, sweatpants, t-shirt, and zip-up hoodie. Even though it was freezing, the car was warm and the bus and airport would be too. Dad took the back roads to Braintree and got me there as the bus was getting ready to leave. I had just enough time buy my ticket while they packed my bag in the luggage compartment before hugging Dad goodbye and promising to call. I managed to get a seat to myself towards the back, and we were off. It was the first time I actually believed I could do this.

Logan Express dropped me off right outside Terminal B for United Airline check-ins. In line, there were a couple people trying to lighten the baggage load, and failing. It was entertaining while I waited. My bag, of course weighed in. I got my tickets and wheeled my carry-on to my gate. Navigating the corridor, following signs, getting a feel for my surroundings. 

At 3:00AM, all the restaurants were closed, there were bathrooms on either end of the hall, one of which I visited, before doubling back to my gate. Gate B opened at 3:30AM, and the security check went pretty quickly. I made it through in about twenty minutes. Inside, there were some convenient stores and gift shops open, but as hungry as I was, I didn’t want to risk it before boarding. Breakfast could make for an inconvenient bathroom trip resulting in me missing my plane.

I sat waiting at Gate 28 for about an hour, bored out of my mind and attempting to remain calm. Fortunately, I’d managed to keep my hemorrhoids under control but it was hard keeping my mind off it. Scrolling through Facebook was pointless, me being the only person awake in the entire world…iFunny was my only source of entertainment and it does make the time go by faster.

Boarding began at 4:40AM and I was in Group 4. The plane was a small, dark, anxiety-inducing puddle jumper. The claustrophobia was made easier by the fact that it was completely empty! I always choose my seats based on relation to the bathroom, preferably an aisle on either side of the plane. Not that it mattered. I faced forward and breathed through take-off, remembering why I hate flying. Landing is easier. I had the entire bench seat to myself, so I took the opportunity to elevate my leg and try to get some sleep during the hour and a half flight to Newark. 

We landed around 6:30AM, with beautiful views of a far-off sunrise. I guess flying’s not so bad…

Dragging my rolling carry-on all over creation, on the other hand... I’m sure the hallway seemed longer than it was. Up three escalators, back through security, down another long hallway - I literally had no idea what I was doing, just following signs to my gate number, and scoping out for the nearest bathrooms along the way. I past one just before finding Gate 102, with another just opposite the seating area. 

That was my first stop after finding my gate, where I ended up spending about an hour. Scrolling through Facebook, I had a notification from the Supernatural Hawaii group with an update: the convention schedule was finally up on Creation! I didn’t have time to try and make out the tiny print on my phone, but I saved the PDF in Reader and couldn’t wait to go over it at the hotel!

Boarding started at 7:45AM. Thankfully, the line was incredibly long. I didn’t even make it out there until around 8:00AM. I was also the last group to board. Makes the inconvenience of ulcerative colitis not so inconvenient, if you know how to work around it.

The flight was absolutely packed! I put my carry-on in the overhead compartment closest to me and took my seat. Everyone was still boarding and getting settled when I had a man come up to me and ask if he could switch seats with me to sit with his wife. I agreed, but it was getting close to take off, so I wasn’t too sure about switching immediately or waiting to be in the air. He was pretty insistent, and foreign, so I made my way to the front of the plane with his seat number in my head. 

I had booked an economy seat. Allowing this couple to sit together got me an upgrade to premium seating; more leg room and arm space. Also, a window! It was two seats away from the first class bathrooms, so a bit of a trek back to coach, but it was a lot more comfortable. Not a bad way to spend an 11-hour flight…

I had originally booked my flights with a connection in Chicago, for an even 5-6 hour flight each. United changed the arrival time in Hawaii about a month before to later in the day. I wanted to spend as much daytime in Hawaii as possible on my first day, so I changed the flight to get there around the time I had originally planned. Unfortunately, that had me spending half a day on a single flight. 

Practice for Africa, I guess. That’s 15 hours across the Atlantic.

Anyway, I filled a 256GB flash drive with movies and blew through a few, then switched to in-flight entertainment - Rough Night - until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I’m not big on sleeping in public. Plus, it was the middle of the day and the cabin lights were on. The blanket was definitely appreciated, though. The plane was FREEZING! And LOUD. Sleep was not easy, but I dozed the last 5 hours to Hawaii. 

About an hour and a half before arrival, my left leg started to hurt. I pulled up my pant leg to find my ankle was swollen and the red splotches were coming back. There is a 5-hour time difference between Massachusetts and Hawaii. 1:30PM in Hawaii was 6:30PM on the east coast, around the time I left New York. I took my medication in the morning, and I’d been without it for over 24 hours. I just hoped I could get off the plane.

I sat there for about an hour going through my options. My medication was at the back of the plane by my original seat - which I would need to let everyone out behind me to get to upon arrival, by the way - and taking it is…complicated. Prednisone was in liquid form in a low enough dose that measurement would be difficult on a moving plane. Not to mention the taste! I always made sure to have grape juice or coke around to mask it. I could’ve gotten a stewardess’ attention and easily have been served a can of coke, but we were almost there and I only needed a sip.

Another possibility was informing the stewardess of my problem  so I could get assistance exiting the plane after landing. That was if I even needed it. So, I decided to test my leg with a bathroom trip. I’d only gone maybe twice before with no issues. This was sort of a ‘for the road’ kinda thing, as well. I made it to and from without incident, proving to myself I could at least walk on it. I’d take my medication at the hotel.

Seeing the island from above was absolutely incredible! I only wished I could’ve taken that doors-off helicopter ride I’d planned on, but there are no bathrooms in the sky.

When we finally landed, I texted a few pics to my co-worker, Shannon, knowing she would get it to Erin who I knew really wanted to hear a bout it. She had been pulling for me ever since my colitis started acting up and Hawaii became a question mark. If anyone understands the problems with UC it’s her. She’s been struggling with it and other major medical issues almost her entire life and wasn’t in much better shape than I was and she’s in her 60’s. 

I waited until everyone seated behind me had left the plane before heading back and grabbing my carry-on. I had stuffed my hoodie into my laptop bag the second I boarded, knowing I wouldn’t need it when I got off. I couldn’t have been more right. I rolled my carry-on down another long hallway with an escalator at the end. There were a series convenient stores, gift shops and restaurants lining the hallway towards the exit. I followed the signs leading to Baggage Claim right out those doors. There was a sidewalk with more signage on the overhang poles, directing to other parts of the airport, more gates, ticketing, baggage claim…right next to a road winding through the open airport where cars just drove by. Not what you’d expect from an airport…

Outside, it was drizzly, but warm and I was greeted by a big beautiful rainbow taking up most of the light gray sky. I was feeling adventurous and stood in the middle of the street to get a mostly-unobstructed view for the perfect picture. 

The incredibly long walk to the next building wasn’t so bad with the scenery: green, airy and beautiful. Already I could tell this truly was paradise. 

The building, when I finally got there, was stuffy and crowded and my foot was killing me. I attempted to call home at baggage claim, but there was no cell service. WiFi wasn’t available either, so I just took note of everything around me, people, signage, exits. Unfortunately, I was not gifted with a real, honest-to-god Hawaiian lei upon arrival. Some people were, but I think they were part of a group or something. That was a real letdown. All the leis I could get were fake…

When my bag finally came around the carousel, I shoved through the crowd and managed to get it down without injuring myself too much. Only now, I’m dragging TWO rolling bags around the airport, on a swollen ankle in slippers - which offered zero protection - following signs for the street exit. When I finally got outside, I tried to figure out the sings for Dollar Rent A Car. There were stops for all the rental agencies and the lesser ones were not very prominent. I asked someone for clarification on shuttle pick-up and they directed me to cross the street to the median and find the stop for my service. 

I watched three separate empty shuttles for Dollar Rent A Car come and go before flagging one down. Only then, did it stop and everyone else got on. I still don’t get it. Maybe that was the only one in service and was stopping anyway, but I was just sick of standing there in the the heat on my throbbing ankle!

The shuttle was air conditioned and comfortable as we made our way through traffic. I was glad for the ride, because I was in no shape to maneuver a high traffic area. At a red light, I was staring out the window opposite me and notice a sign for Melaluca. My grandmother, Nanny, used to buy all kinds of new age health products and oils from that company, and this looked like it was their base. I tried to take a picture, but the sun wasn’t cooperating. Everyone around me must have thought I was crazy…

The driver, bless him, pulled the bags off the shuttle for everyone departing. I hauled mine into the rental center where the woman checking me in asked for my license and passport. A passport is not necessary for domestic travel. I didn’t have my passport. I told her as much and got a concerned look. She listed a few other forms of identification, none of which I had, but I did have my wallet. I knew there was a reason for keeping my social security card on me. I’d never needed it before, but I asked if it would work. She had to check wth her manager, but they finally accepted it. 

I just wanted to get to my hotel, which was getting harder and harder to imagine by the minute. Thankfully, my hotel wasn’t too far, literally, two minutes down the street. I took a seat on the bench outside while they got my Jeep Wrangler from another lot, taking the pressure off my foot. I finally called home to say I had made it and was waiting on my car to get to my hotel so I could take my medication and elevate my leg.

The Jeep is absolutely beautiful! I was hoping for a two door with a soft top, but I just wanted to drive one! I’ve been fascinated since Jurassic Park and have always wanted one for myself. My parents used to have one, years ago - before me - and they would always tell me their issues with it. I wanted to see for myself before I made any judgement. Renting one in Hawaii was the perfect excuse! 

The road I turned out on split into two, highway and residential. I took the wrong one, but ended up taking the back way behind warehouses lining the harbor. I pulled into the lot and headed for check-in. I booked the room months ago, but a day short. I thought I had updated my reservation, but instead I had made two reservations. The guy at the counter fixed everything, but then my card wouldn’t go through. I transferred some money, he tried it again and I was finally checked in. So was my car, via make and model instead of license plate number. The amount of questions I don’t know the answer to astound me! 

My room is on the ground floor, a few doors down form the office. I brought in most of my bags, took photos of the empty hotel room and booked it to the bathroom. One of my favorite things about staying in hotels is the inconvenience of doors. I so enjoy the freedom of leaving the bathroom door open when I’m alone. I don’t know what it is, but I absolutely love it!

Unfortunately, that joy was overshadowed by abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. 

I remembered to grab the hemorrhoid wipes and cream on my mad dash for the bathroom, so I was able to give myself some relief. I brought in the rest of my stuff and unpacked enough to get by, medication, vitamins, laptop, toiletries. Before taking my medication, I needed to find something to eat and drink with it. The vending machine had mini Chips Ahoy! and bottles of water. The cookies would be enough to cover the taste of the Prednisone. 

As much as I wanted to wash the plane off me, showering wasn't a good idea at this point. Instead, I took all my medications and elevated my foot with pillows while flipping through channels and Googling nearby Wal*Marts. I found one a few minutes away where I could stock up on food and supplies for the weekend. There were a few others in the area as back-up.

I tried the first one three hours later. I got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. The swelling in my foot had gone down about an hour after I took the Prednisone and antibiotics, so I could at least wear flip-flops. Not ideal for driving, but better than slippers.

In the parking lot, I took a few minus to get to know the Jeep a little better, mirrors, seats...lack of a USB port. I didn't think I'd be renting an older model without USB ports, or a stereo connection. The one time I actually remember to bring my USB cord! Just one more thing to add to my shopping list.

The jeans were a bad idea. Thirty seconds down the road and I remembered that sweatpants were not only for comfort on the plane. MY ASS WAS ON FIRE!! Jeans are too constricting for aggravated hemorrhoids! I know this! And yet… I couldn’t believe it. I ended up screaming inside the car trying to concentrate on driving, all these one way streets and following the rules of the road.

I found the Wal*Mart and absolutely no parking lot! I'm not good at street parking and I'd already passed the parking garage across the street. Deciding it really wasn't worth it tonight, I circle the same block a few times before finding the highway again and heading back to the hotel. I’ll find another Wal*Mart tomorrow.

Then came the question of what to do for dinner? Wal*Mart was my food supply. At least I could take my mind off my hemorrhoids by searching for the nearest fast food restaurant. MacDonald’s was on the opposite side of the divider, but there was a Wendy’s up on the right with a direct route to my hotel across the street.

Two large fries and a frosty later, I was back watching TV in my room and calling home to say goodnight…at 1:00AM eastern time. Come to think of it, I got in at 8:00PM eastern time, so technically I lived this day TWICE! It was exhausting and hectic…and incredibly cool!