My cousin got married this last year in Ireland. They then went to Ethiopia for a big celebration with his new wife's family. Then, this summer, probably in August, there was to be a big celebration in Alaska with ours. I've been asking about dates for months, so that I can get tickets. I found out yesterday that they need to have it within two weeks from Saturday, and that some of the family can't make it on the second Saturday. If I go the first Saturday, it will cost me over $500 to fly to Anchorage, and then a 3.5 hour car trip each way from Anchorage to North Kenai. If it's the second Saturday, it will cost over $350 each way to Anchorage, and I may or may not be able to ride with someone to North Kenai, because it's the Anchorage family that has other plans. So, if I had to fly, it would probably be another $200. I just can't see paying that kind of money to fly to Anchorage, when, if I had heard a week earlier, it probably would have cost about $280. I'm not really upset, because my family is just like that. They would change the time for me if they could, but then the bride couldn't be there, and even I see the lack of logic with that. Still...don't you just love families.
Also, Alaska Airlines is having web specials to Fairbanks of $289. The flight goes through Anchorage, but you can no longer just get off the plane, because if you do, they'll at least cancel the rest of your ticket, and probably call out Homeland Security. And less than a month ago they had a web special to Anchorage for $211. Ah. Maybe they'll have another. Don't you just love airlines.
I think my cousin and his wife may have to party without me. On the bright side, this gives me a great excuse to visit them in California...perhaps around September 30.