The District (aka My week in our Nation's Capital) - Continued

Continuation of my post from yesterday...

Tuesday (Will this conference eat me alive?)

Tuesday was the first day of the actual conference.  Today I managed to actually show up a half hour before the conference registration was to begin, so that I could get a seat.  I actually had a seat at a table and was able to log on to work and be online to pull up references, etc.  Today we had speakers from the European chemicals agency (ECHA), the European Commission, the UK Competent Authority, a Chemical Agency, EPA and other government types. This was actually very informative, a lot of information, but very good.  I have found that this is going to be quite a challenge.  I felt a little less intimidated today.  I ended up befriending another woman at the conference and we had dinner at a cute little place called Café Luna in Dupont Circle.  It was nice to talk to someone who was in a situation similar to mine.  Then it was back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.  It’s amazing how these conferences can be so draining. 

Wednesday (The Last Day – or so I thought)

Wednesday was a great day as it was a chance to hear what is going on the industry side of the directive compliance.  It was nice to hear that others are in a similar situation.  That they also feel the directive is not very “cut and dry” and that there are far too many things still left undecided.  About 9:00 AM I get an instant message from one of my co-workers that American Airlines has cancelled over 500 flights.  I whip out my itinerary, send her the flight number and yes, folks…my flight has been cancelled.  My company pays a travel agent to sit in our building…but she is not helpful at all. My co-worker went down there to see if she could get me on another flight, but all she did is snap at her and tell her that I am booked on flight for Thursday and that there were no other flights out.  Of course, that got me all riled up, so I called the main travel agency and asked them to help me.  The girl stated that Jennifer was in the office today, and I informed her that apparently Jennifer was too busy to help me.  Yes, they found someone to help me.  I ended up staying the night and booking my own hotel.  I had a 10AM flight the next morning on American.  I went to dinner, got back to the room about 10PM and found out that my flight for the next morning had been cancelled too.  I immediately called the travel agency and got booked on a United flight that left later in the day.  Unfortunately, they wouldn’t assign me a seat, so I was worried that I wasn’t going to get on that flight either.  I finally fell asleep around 1AM and got up at 7AM. 

Thursday (Will I make it home or not?)

Thursday was a challenge…just from my shear exhaustion and fear of not getting out of DC.  I know…I should be glad to not be at work.  The problem is, when I am not there, the work does not stop.  So, while I have been out this week, the work has continued to pile up…not to mention that my co-workers have ants in their pants about when I’m going to be back.  I did finally get out of DC on a United flight, but we got to circle outside of O’hare airspace for awhile due to high wind gusts.  I arrived home at 4:30 and I went to bed at 6PM and got up at 5AM. I am home safe and sound and got to sleep in my own bed. 

Oh DC…how I did enjoy you, but how I did enjoy the comforts of my own bed.  Chicago is my home, but DC is a great place to visit…just don’t fly American.