HAWAI'I: DAY 6

HAWAI'I: DAY 6

Monday November 20, 2017

I set my alarm for 6:00AM for my last chance to see the sunrise in Hawaii. As I was shutting it off, I noticed a text message from Steve. And just like that, my vacation was over. 

He was making the employee schedule for the first week of December and wanted to know if I would be back. I hadn’t worked in weeks and probably shouldn’t be going back anytime soon. On the prednisone, I felt like myself. But the tapering was coming to an end and my symptoms would come right back. I wanted to ignore him, but he would just keep texting me and I didn’t want him ruining my day anymore than he already had. I agreed to return to work and told him I would be home tomorrow night, and could work the next day. 

What the hell was I thinking!?

I stayed in bed for a half hour, trying to decide how important a Hawaiian sunrise really was… I didn’t have to leave for the airport until 10:00AM, but I’d seen this sign for a Beachside Breakfast Buffet I wanted to check out and the sunrise was right there.

So, I put on a dress and hit the beach with my camera. There’s something so nostalgic about retracing your steps through a memorable location, knowing you’ll never walk those same steps again. Through the resort, around the pools and koi fish ponds, through the greenery and down to the beachfront. It was a little cloudy, but it was my last chance for a sunrise. And better than anything I’d be seeing at home…

I only stayed at the beach for about ten minutes. Sunrise doesn’t last long and the real reason I got out of bed was breakfast. The buffet was right by the beach, so I checked the food selection and prices. They didn’t advertise the food, but the buffet itself was $40. I can’t eat much anyway and I still have plenty of food left in my room. 

Taking the long way back, I went all over the resort, back through the expensive shops and ABC Stores before heading up the staircase to the empty con floor.

The vendors room was abandoned.

The ballroom was empty, the stage had been dismantled and chairs would undoubtedly be put away throughout the day. 

The hallway was completely empty.

No more photo-op lines.

And the room was empty. 

So, I backtracked and took the elevator back to my room to pack the rest of my stuff. 

Where I turned on the TV and flipped through channels until I came to Supernatural on TNT. 

Perfect way to end the weekend.

I dressed for the flight: t-shirt, sweatpants, socks - keeping my sweatshirt and slippers available. I put my electronics in my laptop bag, then tried to fit most of my clothes in my carry-on so I could stuff the rest of my food into my checked bag with my souvenirs, meds and the clothes that wouldn't fit in my carry-on. 

I hope the hotel cleaning staff could take my food, or donate it somewhere since there was no way I was bringing it home. I put my souvenirs and meds in my checked bag with the clothes that would fit, then filled my carry-on with the rest. 

I was all packed up by 9:00AM, but so not ready to leave. I gave the room one last once over before bringing all my bags to the Jeep in one trip - without all the food - and waited at check-out. 

The line was pretty long, but then this guy cam cup to me with a handheld and checked me out from the back of the line! I was skating through until getting a receipt would require standing in line for a print out at the desk. He emailed it to me instead! Hilton Hawaiian Village gets a Five Star rating from me! If I did that kinda thing. This service is incredible!

The sun was finally up, so I took one last glamour shot for the road.

…and a brighter look at the lawn.

I was supposed to fill the Jeep before bringing it back to save some money, but I was finally comfortable just driving the same stretch of road, getting on and off was another thing. Plus, I was running a little late. I found drop off and took out my bags. They checked it over and charge me for gas. I offered them the rest of the water bottles in the back before hopping on the waiting shuttle. The driver loaded my bags while I took my seat and we were off. I had the shuttle to myself. 

I was staring out the window, lost in thought - about the weekend, the convention, wishing I could stay longer, knowing this will be my last big trip for a long time - before I realized he was talking to me. He asked where I was from, when I’d be back…I didn’t want to talk about it, but I did anyway. It was a short enough ride. 

Even the entrance to the airport was open. It’s not that there’s no security, it’s just…laid back. Like Hawaii. I put my carry-on through the x-ray to get a sticker of approval for boarding, then came up to the ticketing counter. Most of the computers were unmanned, but there were a few people behind the counter. So I waited. And waited…and waited. Then the guy behind me suggested that the computers were self-serve and I had been thinking the same thing. So, I gave it a shot and checked myself in.

Of course ticketing was on the complete opposite side of the airport from my gate. I asked for assistance along the way, making sure I was on the right track. I put my bags on the conveyer belt without a tray, kept my phone in my pocket and my shoes stayed on as I went through the body scanner. Gotta love the Hawaiian style. Never been through a security checkpoint like this anywhere!

My flight wasn’t boarding until 1:15PM and my terminal was still a ways away. So, I walked through shops and closed restaurants but couldn't find a single seat anywhere. I did find a secluded spot on an open walkway between gates with a view of the runway with high walls to lean on. 

I put my bags against the wall and as I stood up, I saw Mark coming my way! Knowing he's not big on fan interaction outside of conventions, I caught his eye with a wave and said hi. He said hi back as he kept walking to his gate, but still asked if I had fun. I told him it was great and it was nice seeing him, as he went out of earshot. I feel like that's the kind of fan interaction he likes. Simple. Respectful.

I noticed a short redhead trailing behind him and realized it was Ruth way too late to say anything to her, lol.

I called home immediately! Of course my dad answered, he has no idea who Mark Sheppard is. So he put Mom on the phone and I fangirled!

I stayed there watching the planes and scrolling Facebook for about an hour. I posted about Mark on Facebook and found posts on Supernatural pages from fans on the same plane to LA as Mark and Ruth. Unfortunately, I was going to San Fransisco. 

A wooden tiki with gold highlights caught my eye at gift shop on my way to my terminal. I was this close to buying it, but I already had one and I was low on cash… Food on the other hand. Having past security, they wouldn't take anything from me, so I bought two bags of Lays and a bottle of water. 

I can’t get over how open the airport is. I like this way of life. I never wanted to leave…

I swear, this is the same terminal I came into. I found a seat and continued to scroll Facebook and iFunny while I waited for boarding. Once when I looked up, I got to watch the pane pull up. 

Later, they made an announcement that it was a full flight and they were looking for people to check their carry-on, free of charge. Around the third announcement, I decided to transfer the important stuff to my laptop bag and check my carry-on. I get nervous on a regular flight that there won't be enough room in the overhead, knowing there won't be and having an out is a blessing! And, my bag would follow me all the way to Boston!

When I got back to the seating area, someone had taken my spot. I found another and, bored of my usual scrolling, I messaged my gastroenterologist on the BMC app, MyChart, begging for an extension on my prednisone. I really wasn't looking forward to going back to the real world, it’s been sucking way more than usual and there's a lot of decisions coming up that I really don't want to make.

Unfortunately, no one in premium seating wanted to switch with me, so I was stuck in economy for five hours. In which time I killed my laptop battery watching movies from my flash drive. I ended the flight watching Ferris Buller on in-flight entertainment. 

We came into San Fransisco at 9:00PM. I wanted so badly to be there early enough to ride a cablecar  around town, see the Golden Gate Bridge, maybe even check out Alcatraz…none of which is possible in the middle of the night. Someday I’ll spend an entire day in SF without the crunch time of a layover.

As it was, I finished my first bag of chips somewhere over the Pacific and I was starving! Chips are not a meal. I found this giant souvenir shop and bought some Pillsbury mini blueberry muffins and an apple juice. I didn’t even know Pillsbury did mini muffins! They didn't taste that great, but they were filling, which is all I really wanted. The gate was on the complete opposite side of the airport, again. At least this time they had these moving walkway things. Unfortunately, I carry my laptop bag across my left shoulder, on my right hip and that’s the side I’m supposed to stand on. So I became a hazard on the left.

The seating area was surprisingly comfortable. I charged my laptop while scrolling through Facebook, trying to avoid Walking Dead Spoilers. I had so much TV to catch up on! The only show I’d watched in Hawaii was Supernatural, obviously. The rest could wait. Grey’s Anatomy. Will & Grace. Live PD. Once Upon A Time…

As the plane began boarding, they announced that it was another full flight. I was so glad I’d already taken care of my carry-on! But what's with these full flights?

My laptop was charged, but I wanted to finish Ferris Bueller. Unfortunately, this flight didn’t have it. Every other flight I’d been on did and this one doesn’t… Well, there was plenty more to choose from.

I started the night with Why Him through some turbulence over the Rockies. Later, missing Hawaii like crazy, I finally gave in and watched Baywatch. I finished my last bag of chips and spent two extended trips to the bathroom.