Our adventure began as early as the plane's take off! United's 851 from Chicago to Beijing had to actually UNload passengers after recently boarding due to some "mechanical issues"; five minutes later, all said UNloaded passengers were once again loaded because...? well, I don't know why, exactly. But we were.
THEN the fun began :) We sat next to an adorable five year old boy who has all of his states and capitols memorized. Ready for this, ready for this?--said five year old boy can also SPELL each state and capitol. Dude. I couldn't spell "Des Moines" confidently until at least second grade! So he was pretty exciting.
THEN the lights flickered on and off, and on, and off. Eventually we lost lights all together and the stewards were running around with flashlights, sometimes tripping no themselves in the plane's turbulence. The sound system went kaput.
2 hours and 45 minutes later, our pilot finally announced our turn around. We were over the North Pole when we said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, given the mechanical difficulties we are experiencing, we do not think it is prudent to go on to Beijing..."
So, Beth, Sandra and I had a night at Crowne Plaza Chicago and jumped start our trip the next day. Phew!
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