Mother-In-Law’s First Trip to India: Kansas City to Chicago

February 7, 2013 By Meghan Hunter

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Kansas City to Chicago — Daraius Couldn’t Wait for His Favorite US Airport Food!

Emily: Daraius and I spent 1 month before leaving to pack for our trip. A big advantage of the First Class award ticket was that we were allowed 3 bags of 70 lbs each. We packed six 70 pound bags, 2 laptop bags, and one carry-on roller bag (for the PJs, amenity kits, etc!) Daraius weighed our bags at home with a hand-held weighing scale so that there were no surprises at the airport.

We packed lots of gifts for family and friends, and also brought three suitcases full of care packages that I made from the toiletries we take when we go to hotels and stuff we bought in the US.

Trip Report Index

This year, we made over 300 care packages of clothes, toys, toiletries, and snacks to distribute to families living on the streets.

Daraius picked me up from work, and we went to the American Airlines terminal in Kansas City. We checked in for our flight and checking in our 6 bags didn’t take as much time as it sounds! The scale Daraius used at home was very reliable and we didn’t have to take out anything at the airport. We like to leave a 3 pound buffer to minimize the chance of redistributing our luggage.

I had a quick snack at the airport and then went through security, and boarded our plane. It was a quick ride over to Chicago, and I slept the whole time. I guess I was tired from all of the last minute packing and extra long days at work to prepare for the trip!

We had plans to meet my mom and my Aunt Judi in the American Airlines Flagship Lounge in Chicago. We told them that it was near gate K-19 and to wait for us there. After we landed, Daraius walked as fast as he could to his favorite restaurant in the airport, Rick Bayless’ Tortas Frontera. They offer a selection of Mexican food with a twist. I don’t care much for it, but Daraius loves the food there!

He goes there every time he’s at O’Hare. Soon after we ordered, we received a call from my mom letting us know that she was in Chicago but could not find the lounge. We were on our way to meet her at gate K-19, and saw her walking down the walkway! We were so excited to meet!

We asked her about my Aunt Judi, and there was a schedule change and she missed her first flight, so had to get rebooked on another flight. At first, they tried to put her on another American flight that left much later, but she protested and was put on an earlier United flight, which ensured she would not miss her Chicago flight to London. But…

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