Wow, we have a blast down in New York, Runa and I. I was a little bit worried about her at first, not knowing how she would be on the airplane. Would she stress out, cry, make a fit being in the carrier the entire flight, upsetting other passengers. But no, she was perfect! She never made a sound and slept almost all the way.

When we managed to land at the New wark airport they had a designated doggy pee area that Runa ran around in, stretching and watering the grass.

The stressed out part was when we landed, picked up my checked bag and couldnt find the driver they sent for us. All over the caresol we were at there were drivers with the customers names so logic states that, he or she is your ride. Well, I stood over 30 mins and walked around not finding anyone. I was thinking maybe I miss understood them, that they have just a cab waiting for my ride to the hotel. After asking a few people I realized they couldnt help me. Then I remember I was smart enough to print out the email with the car pickup info. Scrambling through my bag and looking at runa crossing her legs (She needed to pee) I pulled out the paper work. Scanning over it for the info I realized something horrible, my stomach dropped. My computer printer had a hick up and printed it out in gibberish. All funky symbols. I am lost now.

I realized I better call  they guy who arranged all this for help. I pulled out my cell phone, but was unable to make a call. I had put a roaming block on it so rogers wouldn't charge me $1.49 a min to be in the USA. DAM IT! I thought to myself.

Looking around I saw they still have pay phones. YAY!

I managed to find the phone number I needed. Looking over the phone, it stated it costs .50 - 1.00 for phone calls. I managed to put .50 cents in the phone and dialed. There was a voice that to make this call you need to put in a $1.00.. So I put in .50 more. Then it said, " You can not dial this number as it is, you must put in teh area code. Then it swallowed my $1.00..  WHAT!? It took my money and didnt  let me redial. I know I was low on change and getting desperate. I dialed again and put in another $1.00. Again the voice said bla bla bla. and then took my money. WTF? I had no more change. Then next phone over took a credit card, ah Yes! I have enough on it to make a life saving phone call! I put in the card and try to dial. The number "1" button was stuck. and the computer voice just kept talking over and over.. Meh, it was broken. SO I shifted over to the next phone. It too took a credit card. so I tried my best to follow the instructions. Dial the number. put in the card .. nothing.. it kept telling me to put in a $1.00.. I was starting to panic a little. I tried every kind of combination to make this phone work. No luck.

So my only recourse it to get some change to make a call. I asked one person where can I get change, then sent me in one direction, to a dead end. I asked a friendly person and they suggested to go upstairs to get a vender to make change. So I gathered up all my luggage and took the escalator up stairs. I asked the book place, could you break a few bills so I can make a phone call? They said, you have to buy something. I asked have any gum. They said no, go next door. So I picked up all my stuff and wheeled it all to the next vender. They had gum. I asked could you please give me some quarters, I need to make a phone call. She said, I will give you only a $1.00.. I was like Thank you, but CRAP. I have one chance. I cant keep going from vender to vender gathering $1.00 here and there. I dont need that much gum!

SO I gathered all my stuff again and made it down the escalator. (Now I have runa in a bag still, with my big checked bag and other carry on.) I get back to the pay phone. I noticed one driver lady still standing by me with a name that was not mine. I am thinking I guess they must be late or something.

I get to the phone and I let out a small prayer and breathe. I plug in the phone number and money. IT WORKS!!

They guy who set this up with a driver said the driver called saying you didnt show. I said I have been here this entire time but see no one. So they called that driver back explaining I am still here.

So after the comforting phone call  I stood around for another 10-15 mins. when the lady driver that was across from me the entire time walks up to me and asks me are you Nina.. I said yes! Oh, I am your driver, I have been here all this time. I asked Why didnt you have my name? She didnt answer me or she said something in a really thick accent I didnt hear her. I was just happy to leave the airport.

I was having visions of being abandoned, drying up from the lack of food and water, and decomposing into the shadows. Forever lost.

HA HA HA.. that was only the start of it all!!