Flying High

So my Lufthansa flight had been contracted out to SA Airlines. Not a good sign. It got cancelled due to striking Germans in Munich 8:30pm. Then ten minutes later it got put back on, the strike was off. "It will be delayed by an hour, please return in an hour for boarding."An hour later it was cancelled again 9:45pm. The lady promised a night in a hotel, we will fly in the morning. We headed to passport control. "We have no knowledge of a cancelled flight we cannot let you through passport control till we have it in writing." Another hour. We wait for a bus, another hour. Finally arrive at a hotel 11:45pm. Join the queue for checking in. "Sorry we are full." Back on the bus, another hotel. 12. Check in, sit thinking about the fancy hotel room, I have a delayed flight, many South Africans go to bed in a cold one roomed shack. Am thankful. Fitful sleep worrying about missing the 5am bus back to the airport. 8am, finally take off. Munich. 7pm. "You need to collect your luggage and go through to the ticket desk for a re-schedule." No luggage, told "It will be checked through for Manchester." Queue for ticket, lady bumps me up the queue when I explain about the luggage, others seem to have theirs. "Here's your ticket, you need to go through security and go collect it then come out and check in." Security, baggage claim, no luggage. Back into airport, Lufthansa man insists its lined up to go to Manchester. Can't do much else but trust him. Re-enter security. "You have just been through here once Maam." Explain reasons. "Please take out your camera" He takes it apart and peers in the lenses piece by piece. Get searched. Find flight, told by a fellow traveler from J'burg we were amongst the five who got on the Manchester flight, others have to wait in Munich till morning. Feel grateful. One hour delay. Land Manchester, wait for brother. Arrive at mums, 3am (tomorrow!). 18 hours later than expected. Grateful for a bed and the welcome of family.