As some will have read previously, I lost my passport back in May. This set in motion a perfect storm of unusual circumstances that, if these had been the only complications with our move to Manila, would have provided ample material for tales of a woebegone endeavor.
The passport issue was resolved with significant assistance from the folks at the Special Issuance Agency and a 5 am to 9 pm same-day Boston to New York City train trip for me 10 days prior to scheduled departure to Manila.
Alas, this was not all. We found out, late, that we could not ship our cat on the same flight (because Hong Kong has insane quarantine rules for animals). So we had to ship Tiger separately at about three times the cost of having him as a "checked bag" on our flight.
I had understood, because Katie told me and it never occurred to me in a million years to question her on this matter, that a woman can travel pregnant any time before 32 weeks of pregnancy. At check in, three hours prior to departure, I mentioned that Katie is pregnant and asked if there was an upgrade available. No one inquired as to how far along she was and there was no suggestion that she might need formal doctor approval to travel.
So for the next three hours, time we could have used to obtain a doctor's note, we waited in ill-informed boredom to board the flight. We boarded. We took our seats. A few minutes before scheduled take off, Katie asked for an extra pillow, and pointed to her pregnant belly.
Instead of a pillow, the stewardess brought an airline official who asked how far along Katie was. Katie happily reported 28 weeks, thinking this resolved any concern. The next 15 minutes became an ugly time in our family history. I used words I regret. At one point I informed the airline official she would have to remove us from the plane in handcuffs. When she responded "that can be arranged" I realized I had been defeated.
I wanted us all to stay together, so I had us all deplane. Then there was intense discussion in the skyway. After a few more minutes, I decided to get me and the kids to Manila on time because they had school admissions interviews scheduled and it would be easier for one passenger to find an alternative flight than it would for five. I had thought the plane had in flight wifi and was willing to pay any price for it.
Back on the plane, still very angry, the kids were crying. We took off and I realized no in flight wifi. The next 16 hours with no way to know Katie's fate were incredibly stressful. Henry was great. "Dad, it's okay. I'll be okay without mom for a few days. Don't worry."
When we landed in Hong Kong, I had one thing on my mind: get off the plane fast, find wifi, find out how Katie was doing. I achieved that goal and found out that she was already in the air on another flight. I relaxed. I did my best to manage the kids' anxiety during the two-hour layover, and then we boarded the plane to Manila and I realized that, in my anxiety, I had left two carry-on bags on the previous plane from Boston, in Hong Kong.
The trip was cursed.
Meanwhile, an airport police officer had taken up Katie's cause in Boston and stayed by her side and argued her case through the entire ordeal. Cathay Pacific officials took excellent care of her, giving her lounge access, finding the soonest possible alternative flight, and blocking out an entire row for her on that flight. She was able to sleep almost the whole time, a much more comfortable flight than she would have had otherwise. She picked up our lost bags during her layover and was a mere 12 hours behind us.
Our housing is excellent. Beyond excellent really. We are blessed.
Now, if I could just shake the jet lag.
