My Adventures getting to/from Denver

There is nothing quite like waking up from your 30 minute nap in a panic that you will miss your flight, coupled with the memory that you haven't yet packed nor do you have any clean clothes. Nothing except for the blast of cold air that hits my face as I run outside after having stuffed an arbitrary amount of dirty clothes in my bag, seeking to catch a bus that departs in 3 minutes. Yup, I've done it again. Stayed up all night, the night before an early morning (10:30am) flight. My destination - Denver for Nick Jones' "Natural Tango Festival".

I arrive in Denver, Nick picks me up at the airport and we go to the house. I throw my clothes in the washing machine. As tired as I was I decided to not take a nap in favor of watching the tango music rehearsal in progress - three bandoneóns and piano!

In general, I had a nice time at the festival, every night at the milongas there was good live music. I met new people, I took some of the classes, hung out with friends and had the opportunity to study a few hours with Nick.

Wednesday. My flight back to Minneapolis was scheduled to depart at 3:10pm. I arrived at the airport at 11am because my ride was dropping of someone who had a 12noon flight. I don't mind - I had plenty of typing to do.
At some point the gate agent announces that they are doing maintenance on the plane so our departure will be delayed. We board an hour late, de-ice, then sit on the runway for a while, and finally take off. I had counted on delays so this was all fine "As long as I get to Minneapolis before the Manzanita class on Thursday".
After flying for about an hour - of and hour and twenty minute flight - the captain announces that there was some kind of mechanical issue "but it is not an emergency" and we will be returning to Denver to get it straightened out. At 7pm we land in in Denver, the captain apologizes for the inconvenience and announces that "we should be glad we made it safely".

Well, this was an adventure! Here are my winnings: A 6:40am flight the Thursday morning, a $9 meal voucher, $100 travel voucher and free one night stay at a local hotel. I spent the meal voucher on a burger with fries and a drink (I had to pay 7 cents out of pocket). When I arrived in the hotel I realized that I have been on the road since July 21 and this was the first time I had privacy, ie, was not living in someones house.
Guess what - I did it again. Rather than going to sleep at a decent hour, knowing that I would have to catch the 4am hotel shuttle to the airport, I stay awake till midnight.

Thursday, 10:30am, I arrive in Minneapolis. A bit tired, but glad to have not gotten snowed in at Denver and be able to teach my class that evening.