Day 8
Trapped in Puerto Rico

Okay, it may be weather related, so the airlines cannot do anything about it. But I was so unhappy that I had to wait in lines for 5 hours while all the US Airway phone lines were busy and its website resevation systems just didn't work. This shows how bad an airline can treat its customers. Many people I met back on the ship also are trapped, but it seems much easier for them to change their tickets. Both United and Continental Airlines (ironically, I fly with these two airline much more frequently than with US Airway) took care of their customers by 2 pm, while my line still moves endlessly slow at 3:30 pm. I will just not fly with US Airway again!

I have to stay in San Juan for two nights, a place I really had no intention to stay in this trip.

Due to the disruption of the air traffic in North America, obviously there are tens of thousands of travelers trapped in San Juan. Most hotels are booked to its capacity at this point. Worse, I think many hotels actually raise their prices to higher than usual because they realized that those travelers cannot go anywhere (aside from sleeping on the beaches). A moderately looking guest house or motel now charge around $200 a night.

I found a small guest house, Embassy Guest House, at the center of Candado Beach. Though Candado is the tourist center and relatively high ended, it is not exactly a very charming neighborhood. The guest house, which has the atmosphere of a Motel 6 in a trashy rural region, charged me $130 per night (plus tax) for a small one-bed room. Of course, if I traveled with friends, we can share the room and keep the cost in half, but I don't want to complain about that again ...

Though lonely and difficult at times, this solo trip has gone relatively smooth and fun. However, I could not imagine it has to end in such bitter way.