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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions...

When  Putu told us he would be sitting in the airport  for almost 12 hours waiting for his flight home to Bali, we came up with a plan to pick him up at the cruise terminal in Baltimore ourselves.   The plan was to then drive him to DC where we would see the White House, the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and finally the Embassy of Bali.  We would have a late lunch, his pick, before heading to Dulles for his 10:00 PM flight.

The ship was due in Baltimore by 8:00 this morning.  He was to disembark at 9:00, and wait in the terminal where we would meet him.  We could tell he was as excited as we were -- I'd been receiving emails from him at least once a day for the past week as the ship sailed through the Caribbean and then set sail for Baltimore.  

He called at 8:30 this morning to tell us he'd see us soon.  At 9:00 he called to tell me the port agent said he had to get on the bus to Dulles; we could not pick him up.  He asked if I'd speak to the port agent.  I said I would and waited as I heard the port agent refusing to speak with me.  Putu had his passport and his visa so that wasn't a problem, and he is not a minor.   I surmise  it could have been  a couple of things:  an issue of liability and contract.  The cruise line might  not want to make themselves vulnerable to litigation.  Or, it was an issue of the port agent being a jackass.  I'm leaning toward the latter as Putu has arranged his own transportation to and from the ship on other occasions.

The good news is that after a year of hard work and missing his family very much,  he will soon be on his way home to see his two small children and his lovely wife.  Still, it could have been a really wonderful day.

13 comments:

George said...

It's too bad that your plans to spend some time with Putu were spoiled by the port agent. Some people just let a little power go to their heads.

Kimberly said...

So sorry you missed a day with your friends, and that he missed such a wonderful last experience before heading home. Said port agent sounds like a poo-poo-head.

Gilly said...

What can you say?? these things never turn out the way they are intended!

Tracy said...

UGH...yes, ssometimes we have great intentions but they just don't work out. I hope Putu arrived safely to see his family; it's so difficult to imagine why others find themselves needing to be jerks. It often makes me wonder if they are knowingly and willingly being a jerk or are ignorant to that little ditty about themselves...

Purple Flowers said...

Red tape is red tape. In the end, I'm glad he is on his way to see his homeland and family.

Lena said...

Aw, that is too bad. What a disappointment for all.

Anonymous said...

Rules can really put a damper on plans sometimes. :-( You are right... it could have been a very lovely day, and I remember how much I used to enjoy showing visitors around D.C. Always made me feel so proud.

Di

Seth M. Ward said...

Some people are wound way to tight. Glad your friend made it home to his family.

Anonymous said...

What a shame and a missed opportunity for Putu.

Mage said...

Yes, I can't imagine them not letting him out. I'm so sorry.

Kay said...

Agh! That is really aggravating! I am so sorry. Unfortunately there are some of those people in charge who really just delight in being power hungry unreasonable.

Cobalt Violet said...

What a big bummer. I hate when I am so looking forward to something and it all fall apart. Did he get to his family yet?

Cheryl said...

What a shame, especially after all that anticipation.