North Carolina Chronicles: A Comedic Odyssey
Day One: Morning Madness
Early Bird or Early Oops?
Ah, the glorious start of our North Carolina escapade! The day kicked off at an impressive 05:00, or 05:05 to be precise – thanks to Michele’s alarm rebellion. A dash to the door was met with a swift realization that Michele had left her headphones behind, initiating the quickest 180-degree turn in history. Headphones retrieved, we were on our merry way.
Parental Paradox
Our rendezvous point? Mum and dad’s place. As if they were awaiting secret agents, they were already up and ready for our grand entrance at approximately 06:15. After the mandatory family niceties, an Uber ushered us to Manchester airport’s T2. The adventure was afoot!
High-Five to Security Shenanigans
Weighty Woes
Check-in was smooth, although Michele did earn a scolding for exceeding the hand luggage limit – 1 kg extra in each bag. Not to be outdone, her handbag boasted an extra 5 kg. Security, surprisingly breezy despite our pre-flight news-induced paranoia, took us a mere 35/40 minutes to navigate.
Lounge Letdown
With dreams of a posh start shattered, both the Escape and Aspire lounges rejected us like a hot potato. Our consolation? A breakfast fit for royalty at The Bridgewater Exchange. Two Full English breakfasts, Eggs Benedict, and a painful bill later – £30.30 to be precise – we were fueled up for our impending airborne antics.
Sky-High Surprises
Premium Perks
Boarding the Virgin Atlantic flight to Atlanta, we were greeted with a glass of prosecco or orange. Our thrones for the journey? Premium, baby! A central bank of three seats for the two of us – oh, the luxury.
Mile-High Feasts
Takeoff at 10:20, right on schedule. Soon after, the drinks trolley waltzed in, offering libations in real glasses – not a plastic cup in sight. Lunch, a mid-air culinary adventure featuring chicken lasagna for Michele and salmon for me, was served on actual China plates with metal cutlery. Accompanied by a glass of malbec, because why not?
In-Flight Entertainment (or Lack Thereof)
Dune, or as I’d like to call it, “Star Wars at Half-Speed,” graced the screens. I might have even dozed off – blame the slow-motion galactic drama. The entertainment selection was mediocre, so I opted for music and a Premier League documentary. Virgin’s crew ensured the non-driving party had a steady flow of libations. Alas, as the designated driver, I sadly had to abstain.
Tea at Ten Thousand Feet
Ninety minutes before landing, high tea made its delightful appearance, once again on China plates. A steaming mug of tea in a proper mug completed the airborne feast. We touched down in Atlanta as scheduled, breezing through immigration, though the Visa vs. ESTA saga provided a touch of drama. A quick shuffle with Delta, and we were set for the next leg.
Atlanta Antics: Layover Laughs
Flight Fracas
Atlanta brought a 3-hour layover, where Virgin struggled to connect the dots between our flights. Fear not, Delta rode to the rescue, untangling the web of our travel woes. A bit of waiting, a touch of fretting, and we were airborne again on our way to Greensboro.
Car Capers
Landing in Greensboro, we navigated our way to Thrifty for the grand reveal – the mystery car. A Mazda CV30 emerged from the shadows, surprisingly pleasant to drive. Next stop: Julie’s abode.
Warm Welcomes and Bewildering Beds
Hugs, Tears, and Beers
Julie’s house welcomed us at approximately 19:40, a facade that belied the spacious wonder within – 4 double beds and 2 living areas. Hugs and tears from Julie, Elle, Hayley, and Luna greeted us. Hayley was a quick convert, offering a cuddle, while Luna eyed me warily. A couple of beers later, and it was bedtime for these weary travelers.
