Arrived in Chicago at 5am-ish. Fourteen hours after the train was due in Chicago. Over 7 hours late to have made the connection to NYC. I wish I could say I got off the train and celebrated having arrived but all I had on my mind was finding customer relations and getting the voucher that I, and the other missed connection passengers, were told we would get if we went to the customer relations office.
Falling in line with how the journey had gone thus far...that isn't exactly what happened. I and about twenty other people arrived at the office only to be told that efforts would be made to accommodate on the 9pm train to NYC that night or take the Greyhound. But no voucher. I opted for the Greyhound that left at 8am and I would arrive in NYC by 8am the next day.
Now, at this time, I was under the impression that Amtrak was refunding my money on the ticket for Chicago to NYC and applying it to the Greyhound ticket. By the time I got the situation sussed out, I had an hour to get from the train station to the bus station. I was going to wait for a cab but waiting on a wheelchair accessible cab that may/may not arrive to take me a mile and a half seemed a waste of time.
So I headed out on the streets of Downtown Chicago and almost immediately...I knew this city and I would never be friends. Granted, my impression is based on a very short time but somethings you just know.
After getting lost for awhile and fearing that I was going to miss check-in for the bus, I finally found the bus station. Had barely enough time to check-in and a quick change of clothes. Then another one of my fears were realized when the bus they had didn't have a wheelchair lift so they had to wait for one which took an hour. Now I was concerned I was going to miss the connection in Ohio. I don't know how I wasn't having a full-on emotional breakdown at this point. But I knew I couldn't lose it...I had to stay calm and not allow those things out of my control to break me...I had to.
Finally get on the bus and I learn that the bus I am on will be used to go to DC and I get the idea to see if they will change my ticket so I won't have to change busses and worry about lifts. The bus driver plead my case in Cleveland and Greyhound changed my ticket to where I got off the particular bus I was on in Pittsburgh instead of Cleveland. And that would be my final bus before NYC.
The fact that even though I was exhausted and was still nice to those at Greyhound trying to help me...I knew this trip was changing me. Not once did I snap at anyone. I mean I was beginning to question my own sanity because clearly there were many times that I should have said maybe something was trying to stop me from reaching NYC and not every obstacle needed to be overcome.
But I didn't stop. I had gone too far at this point. I still remember that feeling when for the first time in my life...crossing into Ohio...I was living IN the eastern time zone. It was a moment I'll always remember.
Got into Pittsburgh later that night and there was only a 20 minute window before the bus left so all I had time to do was go to the snackbar. This stop was ready for me with a wheelchair lift so finally something went my way.
Just 8 more hours til NYC. I didn't let it sink in too much then because if I would let myself think about it, I could feel the tears. I wasn't there yet.
Would I get there or would something else try to stop me?
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