August
22, 2000, Day 16
Travel log
Today we woke up at 6:30 am, ate our last breakfast of croissants and baguettes, and
got on the bus to head to the airport. We said goodbye to our tour guide, Emmanuelle
(a lot of people took advantage of the moment and gave her a hug), and headed from Paris
to San Francisco. Eleven hours and lots of Bon Jovi later (completely dedicated
audio track on the flight), we arrived in San Francisco. Our plane landed around
1:45pm San Francisco time (10:45pm Paris time), and our next flight to Phoenix didn't
leave until 5:50pm. Most people took advantage of the time by eating some good
(expensive airport) American food with free soda refills, reading and buying books, doing
coloring books, putting on fake tattoos, and as you can imagine, sleeping. It turns
out our flight was delayed an extra hour, so we didn't leave San Francisco until around
6:50pm. The flight to Phoenix was supposed to take only an hour and a half, but
apparently there was a monsoon in Phoenix and the power had flashed at the airport.
Instead of risking anything, Sky Harbor directed all incoming flights to other airports,
so we ended up flying to Las Vegas. We were given about a half hour to go into the
terminal and use the bathrooms. A couple people came back with a few extra bucks in
their pocket from the slot machines. We got on the plane and were ready to take off,
but then the pilot found out that if we took off right away we would have to wait in the
air above Phoenix for an extra 45 minutes. He decided it we would be better just to
sit on the runway in Las Vegas, so we sat there for 45 minutes before leaving. When
all was said and done, we arrived in Phoenix just after midnight, instead of the planned
7:45pm. We were all amazed at how people were waiting for us at the airport.
Approximately 50 people had come to the airport and waited the four and a half extra hours
for us to come home. I speak for all the pilgrims when I say "Thank
You!!!!"
Since this is the last travel log, I'll the chance now to again say "Thank
You" to all the people who supported us in going on the pilgrimage. "Thank
you" to Fr. Chuck, the Perpetual Fund, and all the staff and parishioners of St.
Theresa for their support and prayers along the way. "Thanks" to Vincent
for helping to make this pilgrimage financially possible for many of the pilgrims.
"Thanks" to all the people who submitted messages to the pilgrims. And
finally, "thanks" to the many, many people who followed us all along the
way via the webpage. I hope this has inspired you, and helped you on your own
spiritual journey.
More Pictures
Alex looking out the airplane window
Caroline, Melanie, and Joe B in Paris airport
Cisco in the San Francisco airport
Fr. Jim on the flight to San Francisco
Grace and Caitlyn hanging out in San Francisco airport
Jesse and Becky hanging out in San Francisco airport
Joe S and Jessica R on flight to San Francisco
Laura and Brian F hanging out in San Francisco airport
Matt H and Brian H on flight to San Francisco
Waiting around in the Paris airport
Spread out in the San Francisco airport
Sleeping in the San Francisco airport
Stacy, Matt H, and Brian H in San Francisco airport
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