Post #33541 by stentiki on Thu, May 8, 2003 5:26 PM

All apologies to the DC Area Tiki Ohana.

It's a nightmare of a story, but my flight was delayed in Orange County and I missed my connection in Chicago. I was then re-routed to Dulles instead of Reagan so my plan to take the train or taxi to the Honolulu was foiled from the airport.

To make matters worse, my hotel arrangements were made by other colleagues and they did not arrange for my arrival until Sunday! When I went to check in they were completely sold out so I had to find another hotel. By the time I got settled and negotiated the car from my colleague who arrived earlier it was 10:45 pm. I raced down to Alexandria and went right passed the Honolulu (didn't see it because the lights were out!) and drove down the winding road into the residential area. After circling a few times, I pulled into the parking lot where the waiter with an orange aloha shirt was getting into his car. I asked him what time they closed and he said 11:00 pm. I was pretty crushed. Sadly, I thought briefly about driving to Politiki but by then, I was just whuppped.

I made the big mistake of not exchanging numbers with one of you. I should have known better, but I just assumed everything would work out like it has in New York -- you know the song "if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere" -- not this time!

Anyhoo, it was a whirl wind tour. Eight states in five days. My colleagues and I drove from Maryland to Boston and I just got home. This is the first chance I've had to post anything.

So again, my sincere apologies. I usually visit DC once a year, so perhaps another time. If any of you are coming to Southern California anytime soon, please let me know so I can make it up to you.