Trip Report WWW 2003
Warning: This is a long report - so much happened before we even arrived at Hedo, it couldnt be left out.
Ten days were booked taking advantage of the pay for 14 and get three free but a stressful year called for more so we added two days to make a dozen nights and 13 days for the WWW trip. We couldnt wait! The countdown began and the downloaded Hedo countdown clock reminded us how many sleeps were left. The message boards were humming and the Sunday night chats began and were a blast (at least the first two we made). The photos started coming in and our Jamaica Pile in hubbys corner of the office was growing day by day. Then, all hell broke loose.
A family emergency caused us to fly to Arizona forfeiting the first half of our trip. Our trip was now cut back to 7. Ouch that hurt! Trip insurance paid off. Hubby left his car back home at the dealership for an oil change while we were gone and they called us via cell to inform us that one of their servicemen got our car in an accident in their parking lot and now wanted permission to fix it. Geedoyathink? Hubby had them e-mail pics of the damage to his e-mail account only to find somehow his account was closed so there was no access. Now its almost getting funny. The good news was that we would arrive in Jamaica on the exact official start day of the WWW so visions of a fabulous bus ride were consolation. We were ready. It was all down to a science, fly back from Tucson on Friday to LGA at midnight, drive just a few miles to JFK where our hotel reservations were. We left our car in the long term parking lot with our other suitcase packed with presents for the schools & stocking stuffer as well as goodies for our friends for Jamaica waiting for us in the trunk. We would simply switch suitcases, add toiletries and we would be set for our 8 am take-off with Air Jamaica. It was a plan.
The ticket counter in Tucson was empty. Cool! We walked right up to the counter to check in. Then it startedwe were informed we had two choices, stay in Tucson or go to Chicago as incoming flights were cancelled to LaGuardia-a major snow storm was on its way. Easy decision get us the hell out of Tucson and into a major hub! We would deal with it when we got there. Frantic calls for advice to fellow Hedonites in NJ and NYC were made. At OHare we failed to persuade personnel just how important it was that we get back to the northeast. I choked back the tears. They just shrugged their shoulders and gave us choices of hotels in Chicago that United Airlines had arrangements with when flights were delayed or cancelled. Ours was cancelled with no rebooking in site. We called Bubble Lady and hubby in Chicago who placed a post on DennyPs board with our situation as we knew people would be looking for us at the airports. Day #2 in Chicago, things were looking dim; each flight we were reassigned to was subsequently cancelled because of the weather. It was looking like the earliest we could get back to NYC to get our luggage would be Sunday night and the next flight to Jamaica on Monday or Tuesday! Our thirteen day trip was down to a possible 4 5 days??? That did it! I started crying and hubby got AJ on the phone to find the cost of going to Jamaica directly from Chicago would be an additional $1,100 to arrive on Sunday! Still crying. If this is what it would take, wed just have to do it we were desperate at this point. To hell with our luggage who needs clothes at Hedo? Just get us there! We ran to the mall with two hours to find flip flops and shorts. (Note to self: December in Chicago is not an optimum time to do this.) Hubby yelled
Only one pair of FMPs! as we separated and melted into the sea of holiday shoppers at the largest mall in the USA. We met Bubble Lady & hubby for dinner it was so great to see them! I cried again when we saw them. Friendly faces! It was such a great spirit lifter.
Another emergency at the hotel kept us up all night and the decision to go to Jamaica was made at 3:30 am. By 4 am we were at the AJ ticket counter explaining our flight situation to AJ personnel who forgave the extra charges we were told about earlier and because of the weather, let us board! Yeah! Exhausted, we waiting for the departure when there it was way in the back of the waiting area - cleavage in the Chicago Airport! This is December in Chicago no one shows cleavage like that unless. . . Hedonites!!!! They had seen the post Bubbly Lady put and the first offer to borrow FMPs was made!
Welcome Home, from Michael was symphonic. We couldnt wait to get to the beach. The insulated room carafes took the place of our mugs that were in our suitcase and were quickly replaced by Cherbunny & Marlboro Man who just happened to have a couple of extra WWW mugs. Laminated Emergency Escape instruction cards from Air Jamaica served as a marker for our lounge chairs. Someone got us Dirty Banannas. We were home!
It was a killer thinking about all the stuff we had back in our suitcase in NYC. All the stuff for the school & stockings stuffers - presents for friends, clothes, goodies and fun stuff general. The entire trip was spent saying, We had this great _________ in our suitcase in NYC!
Dressing for the Theme Nights was challenging, but we managed with a little help from our friends. Storm & Irish Eyes lent us some shorts & t-shirts so we could go out in public on the Mystery Trip and I didnt have to wear my pashmina to breakfast anymore. Mrs. HedoCanuck lent me a great little black dress for Wear Black & Glow night and hubby wore an Air Jamaica barf bag around his neck and went begging for glow things in exchange of personal favors. We got what we needed!
Remember that 2 hour shopping trip in Chicago? That gave us matching Evil Knevial t-shirts in Red White and Blue for Patriotic Night. I wore mine as a dress that was designed by hubby and our friend, Rastabare. A belt here, a slit there, throw on some slut shoes and Im good to go!
The erotic gift exchange was a riot. I had picked up a little something at Fredericks in Chicago and with borrowed wrapping paper exchanged it for edible pasties which were the perfect thing to wear on Bare as You Dare night. Instructions were to lick and apply and hubby had fun applying leftover pasties to anyone he deemed was in need. Fishnet hose and the same black FMPs worked. Hubby dressed in clear bags which were graciously provided by the hotel via their wastepaper baskets.
Our Togas were couture, designed by Rastabare himself. Industrial aluminum foil from the kitchen (dont ask!) was pleated to make my top & bottom. However, after a great dinner outside the resort with friends, we returned to our room looking for Rastabare. That was the end of us. We were up way too late the night before and 15 minutes of waiting, exhausted we fell asleep a little after 9:00 pm and never made it to the Toga Party. We never even heard our Hedo friends who were yelling at the window to come out and play and when we didnt answer began barking like dogs and meowing like cats. (Although were told others in H-Block heard them at 3 am!) I did vaguely hear the barking in my sleep and thought as I rolled over, oh, their barking at the pussys again!
We won Most Creative for our Virtual Door Decoration (Since all our stuff was in our suitcase, in NYC remember?) It consisted of Air Jamaica Emergency Escape Instructions taped to the door and the Barf Bags holding extras with instructions on its use to escape from H-Block.
The laughing just didnt stop. I think we broke a rib from laughing (or was that because of Storms Love Swing?) The one liners are amazing with one person adding to what the other person said. We still think of spinners from time to time, and the tin foil togas were not wasted. I was ball girl for the First Annual Midget Table Tennis Open where we witnessed a dripping with sweat, Dallas win best two out of three over his cool calm & collected 3 tall opponent. Would love to see the re-match. Never did get a pic with the little guy but a couple of us girls did get our pic with Sherman Hemsley (George Jefferson) on Bare as You Dare night. No, he wasnt bare and since we cant get his permission to post the pic youll just have to trust us.
We had the most amazing vacation albeit short, with a lot of help from our Hedo Friends. They were amazing. So many people offered clothes or him, slut-wear for me, FMPs, etc. to help us out. Where else can you go without luggage where not only does it NOT matter, but there are so many people willing to help you out? There is nothing like the Hedo Family. They made the trip. Hedo is truly is all about the people. It always has been.
Creative Suggestions
If you are sans luggage, here are a few tips for you. In your carry on you should have one pair of fishnet hose, toiletries, flip flops, sunglasses the rest youll find just look around and use your imagination!
*Safety Instructions Borrow from your respective airline. Theyre laminated so they dont get wet and serve nicely as lounge chair markers. May also be used to fan yourself or swat bugs.
*Barf Bags Multiple uses. Tape in place horizontally on your door for a sign with your name. Use sunglass holders to suspend around your neck. Drop in one borrowed glow stick. Acts as a luminary no need for a flashlight. Trade services for more light sticks.
*Turn off air-conditioned at night. You dont have your Lysol to kill the bacteria.
*Medications ask around youd be surprised at how many people have the same diagnosis as you. Doubles as a great conversation starter when you dont have your copy of the visitors list.
*Dennys Board - Have someone post on Dennys Board for you or use the PCs at the resort. Someone will bring something eventually.
*Bare as you Dare Trash can liners work well. You can use a large one and cut a hole for your head and arms so you dont look like a giant condom. For a shorter version, cut two at the sides & tie together. Left over plastic can be tied into a loop at each hip for love handles. Of course, theres always the trusty towel but thats old!
*Stylize a T- Shirt Cut a deep V neck to show cleavage, slit each side by the thigh, cut strips of fabric at the shoulders, throw on a belt, & borrowed FMPs
*Drink Mugs Use the insulated carafes in the room or keep an eye out for people going to the bar - ask two different people at 10 minute intervals to get you a drink to keep a constant flow coming.
*Suntan lotion dont need it. Someone will have the SPF you use and will gladly apply it.
*Aluminum foil Makes a great toga as along as you dont fall asleep that night.
Next trip soon com!
{{Hedo Huggs}},