I‘m back from Scotland. The country was heaven. The arrangements left much to be desired.
On the Thursday prior to departing on my trip I spoke on the phone with one of the ladies at the agency. I was told that they would be mailing me a cell phone, a GPS and a booklet listing 340 Bed & Breakfasts that would take my vouchers. As I was leaving early the next day, I said that wouldn’t work. She said they would get those items to me, presumably when I arrived in the country.
Well, they mailed them to my home. They arrived on that Saturday.
Needless to say, they were not waiting for me at the Glasgow airport. They had pre-arranged the B&B for the first night in the general area I had requested. The vouchers for the remaining nights were in a package at that B&B. There was also a nice letter, thanking me for using their agency’s services and wishing me an enjoyable trip.
The vouchers and letter identified a cooperating travel agency in Edinburgh. I was lost for over 5 hours in that city, trying to find the agency. I stopped several times at gas (petrol) stations for directions. Everyone was extremely friendly but it was a combination misdirection on their part, misunderstanding on my part and, perhaps, a bit of something lost in translation.
At some point during one of these stops I left my cane. I have been using it for about ten years. It belonged to my father before that. Just a simple wooden cane; it had some sentimental value. Interestingly, when relating that, I was asked where I left it. How should I know? I was lost when I left it.
When I finally located the agency, they were most friendly. They called the agency in New York for me. I was advised that they would refund the money for the cell phone and I would have to purchase one myself. I did, but the cost was £39 instead of the $39 for the one that was sitting uselessly at my home.
While the nominal exchange rate was $1.59 to the Pound when I departed, the practical rate varied from $1.78 to $1.81. One counter at the airport even wanted to add a £3.5 service charge. I could have used Jesus to throw out the moneychangers.
It turns out that the rental car had a navigation system built in. However, it was broken. I was told to go to the rental agency and get a new one. I did, but that is a story in itself.
They had moved the rental car offices. Four different signs, including a “You are here” map, five different directions from five different people and two miles of walking without my cane was all it took to find the car rental office. They provided a portable GPS.
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the car they provided. It was a Vauxhall Insignia with the aforementioned navigation system and an automatic transmission. When driving on the other side of the road and maneuvering through the roundabouts (traffic circles), one doesn’t need the additional hassle of shifting gears. An automatic is a blessing.
Once I had hit the road I realized that my steed was larger than maybe 95% of the cars on the road. A smaller, more maneuverable car would have reduced stress and made parking much easier.
I was wondering if it would not be an improvement to enact a law requiring street lanes to be wider than the automobiles. Also, some drivers and all tour buses have a special dispensation. Those oncoming buses, in particular, are entitled to at least 20% of your lane; and they fully exercise their rights.
Just one last tidbit on the hell aspects before I sign off on this portion of my little travelogue. Upon my return home I checked out the phone and GPS the agency had mailed there. The GPS was loaded with the maps of Ireland. It would have been totally useless had I received it in time.
Sorry for the downer as the intro. Despite everything, Scotland was more than worth it. Some impressions of heaven on the next post.
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Wow!
I’m sorry to hear of your troubles, but glad you survived all of that.
I look forward to hearing about the “heaven” part of your trip.