indigo_rose99

Because of the last minute change in day, instead of flying out of Toronto at 6:25am, I am flying out at 6:25pm. Since my first morning meeting was at a luxurious 9am, I slept in.

I woke without an alarm (Yes!) at 7:30am and decided to hit the gym. It was small and down a maze of corridors, but I had a very satisfying fast walk for longer than I should have stayed. So I did not make it to the shower before my morning meeting. But they can't smell me, so no worries, right?

The meeting turned into two meetings. My shower was late enough that I had two hours before my late checkout meant I had to get out of the hotel. American airlines INSISTED that the only way I could have a boarding pass on an international flight would be if I had a seat on each flight. And the only way I could have a seat on the last leg would be if I paid an extra fee. I entered my credit card 4 times... It insisted that I didn't have a seat, had not paid the fee... But I got a boarding pass in the end. I have no idea how much it cost, as the cost was never listed. I'm a tiny bit worried about that part.

The ladies at the front desk raved about a local restaurant "only 2 minutes walk down the street that way." I stepped out into the very stiff breeze and could not see anything other than a car repair place and a gas station "down the street." Evidently their definition of "close" and mine do not have anything in common.

Packed up, checked out in time, and drove the rental car to the gas station before heading to the airport. And then things took a downward turn. The gas pump said something like, "This pump will only accept Canadian Mastercard or Visa. If you have another card, go inside." I went inside. The man at the counter asked if I had actually TRIED using the card. Well, no. So I went back outside and tried the card. After going through several screens, it told me to go inside. I went inside. Again. "How much do you want?" I don't know, half a tank? Not like I look up tank size on every rental car! He handed back the card. I'm not sure he did anything with it. He waved his hand a bit and explained that for non-Canadian cards, they have people come inside. I went back out and tried the card again. It told me to go inside again. By this time, I'm fuming. There is a limo on my bumper and I just want to fill up the car and get out of there. I went inside. They did something with my card that I assumed would fix it. I went back outside. I literally LOST COUNT of how many times me and my card when inside that stupid gas station to try to pay. More than 4. Perhaps 5? *Grrrr!*

I should have accepted my boss's offer to gas up my car last night. *head thump*

So then I drove to the airport to return the rental car. Or I tried to. It was an airport hotel. Literally, I could have WALKED to the stupid airport. I could NOT find the rental car return. There were no signs... .no signs..... Signs! I see a 2nd sign! ... And then no signs. Am I following signs to a terminal? Parking? Each intersection was a decision between "No, I don't want that OR that!" Eventually the turns started looking familiar... As in, they looked almost like that spot I had briefly seen rental car return signs.... I went 5mph, no matter how it pissed off the guy behind me. I was NOT going to miss it this time! Yep, it was a sharp right turn across two lanes in the middle of a 180 curve. No warning... TURN HERE...too late.

The Enterprise car return guy actually made me feel much better. He said the first time they changed the signs, he circled the airport three times before he found his way in! Evidently they did their best to HIDE the rental car return. Sneaky people! I wonder.... Perhaps this is so they can charge late fees?

On my way home. Very very slowly. I may need a second drink.