We have each received three covid vaccine shots (one Astra Zeneca and two Pfizer) last year and so decided to get out of the cold, thinking that as long as we were careful we shouldn't run into any difficulties. We booked a seven week stay in Manzanillo directly with the apartment place we stayed at two years ago, getting a very good nightly rate in the process (we choose a bigger apartment than last time as well)
Last night Mike took us to the 4points by Sheraton airport hotel (Thanks again Mike) and by 10:30 we were asleep; sleeping much better than we thought we would. We were up at 4 AM and caught the 5 AM shuttle. Check-in went smoothly and our 0715 Calgary flight left pretty much on time.
Upon disembarking and making our way to the next gate we found that our flight to Manzanillo had been cancelled during the time we were flying from Edmonton. Many Westjet employees were coming down with covid (or having close contact) and having to call in sick. There were quite a few cancelled flights.
We had to retrieve our checked luggage (which seemed to take a long time) and get new flights. Passengers were scrambling, looking for alternative flights but in the mean time Westjet had been busy (behind the scenes) re-booking everyone as best they could. We lucked out completely by getting the same flight tomorrow where as others have to go to Vancouver, then Mexico City,then to Manzanillo.
I was having trouble with the Westjet app and while it appeared that we had been already booked for tomorrow's flight I wasn't completely positive. So while Caro waited for the luggage I left the "secure" area and headed to the departure floor where a Westjet employee very nicely gave me a hand confirming we were good to go for the Friday flight.
Shortly after that Caro texted me saying she had our luggage. EXCELLENT! Turns out we got another stroke of luck as only a few bags from our flight had been off-loaded and ours were two of them. Caro said that hardly anybody else had received their baggage at that point. Not sure why this happened but we're happy with the results!
We booked a room at the Wingate by Wyndham hotel near the airport. We had to call the hotel for the airport shuttle and while on hold waiting,....and waiting ...and waiting (sigh) I went outside to look around for the shuttle (just in case it came by) and "Holy Cow", there it was!! Major luck there as it is bitterly cold and not nice at all. I couldn't believe it.
Our room is very nice however we were surprised that there were no restaurants nearby so we just snacked for a bit. Caro did an hour long work out in the exercise room (I did a fast paced mile on the treadmill) and afterwards we went to the pool room. Covid rules were that we had to book the pool room at a specific time,for a limited length of time and with just the two of us there. OK by us!!
Caro made it to the main pool; I made it as far as the hot tub.
Supper was a delivery by Panago Pizza, as it was 0.5 km walk to a Tim Hortons (and we are not dressed for the bitter cold).
Caro and I can not remember ever being impacted by a flight cancellation (while in the middle of a travel day). Still, all in all a good day!
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