DAY 15

Thankfully, we did not need to check out of the hotel until 11:15 today and so that was a good chance to ensure everything was packed, and I had a little time to walk down Kensington for last minute buys. I went looking for Galaxy chocolate but alas, I found none. I did end up buying a rolling carry-on bag into Rymans for 29 pounds – A STEAL! This would enable me to put all of the souvenirs and heavy items in that so my suitcase wouldn’t be overweight. 

For some reason, everyone was in the lobby ahead of time – you know when Bahamians are ready to go home, they READY to go home. In the bus, Michal tried to give his goodbyes and expressed his gratitude to the group for being so calm and gracious. We also expressed our gratitude to him for guiding us so well along this two week journey. 

Many expressions of gratitude to him were placed in the Whatsapp group. And many selfies were taken with him in the lobby before we left. Michael came with us into the airport as far as he could to help us check in. It was probably the longest check-in we had experienced. The computers in Heathrow were apparently crashing due to how our booking was made. 

The large group of 35 was somehow clogging up their computer. That coupled with the fact that I overheard someone talk about a ‘new system’, meant that perhaps they were just not trained or incompetent. 

And now the fireworks mentioned yesterday….while the group of 35 was entering the line to check in, a rude American couple pushed into the line with us. When pointing this out to them that they were in the midst of a group, they started to have an attitude. Well, that was the beginning of the end for them. When several of us pulled out our Bahamian accent and body language, it was over. Despite the fact that our ‘KAREN’  tried to give us lip back, it didn’t work. She was quickly put in her place and she remained silent. When she realized she was surrounded by complexions a little more tan than she, she realized that she was outnumbered. Talk about an EXPERIENCE!

It took us about 2 hours to check in but thankfully, as we headed to the gate, we had to walk through duty free shopping and I was able to find my chocolates and some cologne on sale! We would finally get into JFK where we spent another 2 hours waiting in immigration, collected our bags, walked through a crowded airport, and took several trips in the Comfort Inn shuttle to the hotel a few minutes away.

By 11:00 I was in my room, exhausted. Showered, and fell asleep, only to wake up at 4am to head back to the airport for the 2.5 hour trip to Nassau.