Tuesday, 3 February 2009

Hotel Airport


I went to London this weekend... which indicates ( http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/02/europe.snow/ ) that I was stuck in said wonderful City of London in the worst snow the UK has seen in 18 years. I have decided to make this post a survival guide to all those who may one day find themselves stranded in an airport for 2 1/2 days.
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Stoffel Itinerary for Hotel London Heathrow Airport:

Guest: Stoffel, Amanda
Check in time: 5pm, Sunday, 1st of February
Expected Check out Time: 7:20pm, Sunday, 1st of February
Actual Check out Time: 7:00am, Tuesday, 3rd of February

Food/Nourishment: Take advantage of all free food and water. When they start passing out water-bottles and bags of chips you should know that they don't expect you to leave for a long time. Stash the water-bottles and don't let anyone steal them from you. Airports are prepared for epidemics and thus have a huge water supply, which means every man for himself. Additionally, buy as much as you can before the stores close around 8. If they offer beer or any alcoholic beverage, buy it.

Company: Make friends! They make the long nights shorter, provide heat on the cold granite floors, and serve as wonderful companions with whom to commiserate. Don't let cultural differences or language barriers get in the way. Everyone in there understands how miserable you are. There are people there who might be professional campers or mountain climbers and could recommend survival techniques. Or they could be Tom Hanks in disguise, who has experience from the movie Terminal. Make friends with the girls who over packed, as that huge extra suitcase most likely has a pillow and a warm blanket.

Sleep/Bed: This is a tricky one. Around 7pm when the airlines starts handing out blankets, the static kind, this, like the water bottles, indicates you will be here overnight and should grab as many as you can. Possible sleeping methods:
Stranded Victim A: Laid out all his luggage, draped a blanket over the luggage, and then slept face downwards. Should resemble a lumpy mattress.
Stranded Victim B: Placed luggage on rolley-cart, sat in a chair, and placed feet on the rolley foot rest. Should resemble a stiff reclining chair.
Stranded Victim C: Wrapped self in blanket and then wiggled under a row of chairs to create darkness in the stark airport lighting. Should resemble a cocoon.
Stranded Victim D: Unpacked all luggage and laid clothes out to create a kind of mattress pad. Used sweaters under head and lower back. Should resemble a homeless man.
Stranded Victim E: Bought romance novels. Should resemble a Jodi Picault book.
RULES FOR ALL AIRPORT SLEEPERS: Whatever method you chose, use whatever bag you have all your travel documents and money in as your headrest. If you wrap it in a blanket or sweater, it makes a fantastic and safe pillow.

Save Your Electronics: Since there are no outlets in airports (I think thats a terrorism control thing), forget charging your phone, laptop, or ipod. Which means use them sparingly. If not in use, turn the power off all together. Save it for the 8 hours flight you are going to have later on (in the week).

I hope you have enjoyed your stay here at Hotel Airport. We look forward to seeing you again sometime and please grab some complimentary chocolate as a token of our gratitude.

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