Bangka Dive Trip Day -1

Today’s journey was from DC to NYC. Last time I had a huge trip to Indonesia, my flight was cancelled by my airlines just hours before I headed to the airport. This time, to avoid that stress, I decide to take the train this time. 

Side-trip down memory lane:  I had just thrown sheets in wash machine and had to leave all of a sudden for a flight departing in 90 minutes, which then was delayed by 5 hours. My concierge saved me from a return to very moldy sheets!

Not even thirty minutes out of DC’s Union Station, the train came to a stop. Initially we were told the train in front of us was stuck or something, but then we later learned that a Southbound Acela hit/killed a man on the tracks just a mile last where we were. We did make it as far as the New Carrolton stop so we were at least able to get off the train and get fresh air. 

While there, I chatted with a man wearing a familiar sticker and I knew he was from NIH. He was actually a patient, looked super healthy and fit, and he said eight years ago he had stage IV cancer and didn’t have much time left, but his doctors referred him on to NIH and there he was today, stuck on the train with me!  

When the tracks were finally reopened, we got on our way again but were slowed again coming into Philly due to recent 3-alarm fire that had previously halted ALL train traffic heading north of Philadelphia. Our previous delay allowed us to miss most of that, but ultimately we arrived to New York Penn Station 2 hours late.

I didn’t feel like paying $90 for an Uber so I took LIRR and then caught an Uber to my hotel. Once there, about an hour later, I was hungry so then had to order in some food. I thoroughly enjoyed my $16 Happy Meal with the cold fries 😏

Sleep, sweet sleep, two hours later at 12:30 AM.