Oakland, part 2

Clearly it is time for an update!
And it's true.... I am going all the way back to September where I left off, so bear with me.
This is after all the only record keeping going on in this family. It might be biased, as it is only from my point of view, but I am confident that one day, when I am old, I may want to remember these things and laugh.

So, back to Oakland. You read about the Raiders game which was what spurred the trip in the first place, but what about the airport? and the hotel?

Let's begin with the airport.
We both brought carry on size bags and debated over whether or not to check them. We decided on checking the bags as it is sometimes a hassle to try and get your bag out of the overhead bin while 50 other people are doing the same thing.

We waited by the luggage pickup. Mike's bag came, but mine never did. We waited, and waited... and then finally a large plastic bag with my bag inside went by.

Apparently my bag had fallen off the cart, been run over, and the bottom of the bag was completely torn off.

We enter the customer service area and begin the process of finding out what is next.
A rather large African American man is at the desk.
I need to go through my bag, while he is watching, and determine what has been damaged.
Hmmmmm... the only problem I have with that is this is kind of a romantic weekend for us, and hence many intimate apparel items were packed.

Intimate apparel + large African American man = very uncomfortable situation (to say the least)
Not to mention I couldn't help but wonder how many guys picked these items up off the runway...
I rushed through those items insisting they all look fine.
Shoes were damaged.
Shirts had holes in them.
Makeup bag was a complete loss with deoderant and toothpaste everywhere.
To say the least, it was a bit of a disappointing start to what was supposed to be a very fun vacation.
Eventually we had a new bag and an airline voucher and we were on our way.

We arrive at our hotel. As we walk in the doors a couple is at the desk arguing with the clerk (not a good sign)
Apparently the only size bed in the hotel was double ... the people at the desk were not small. There was no way they were going to both fit in a double bed.
Eventually it is our turn to check in. The clerk advises us of the parking situation.
The hotel does not have their own parking.
There is a lot next door where you can pay and park, but to remain in that lot, you have to go back outside at midnight and re-deposit money.
You can park in another lot across the street (also pay) but you need to make sure you don't need your car between 8:00pm and 8:00am as they lock the gate for those 12 hours.
Or you can park at a parking meter on the street and go out at 8:00am to put money in the meter. If you choose this option, make sure you read the signs and only use the meters on the side of the road that will not be swept by the street sweeper that night....

Overall, we had a great vacation! These events contributed their own memorable moments, and a few months later, they seem a little funnier.