Unscheduled Stopover in New York for 24 Hours

Ramada Plaza at the JFK Airport
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As Barb was going to Barcelona, I really wanted to have a stopover in New York but I was told that I couldn't because, you are only allowed to have a stopover in one city per Country in our around the World trip and Barb had already chosen Los Angeles as our stopover in the United States.  Anyway, I was talking to the guy in the seat beside me on the plane to New York and you wouldn't believe it, but as we were approaching the JFK airport, he told me his name was John Kennedy.  He was going to see his parents in New York and offered to show me around, which would have been good if I could have stayed in New York.

Tour Guide at the front ot the Ramada Plaza
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However, when I got to the JFK airport at 9.05 PM (New York time) to change planes, I couldn't find my boarding pass for the next leg at 10.20 PM to Rio de Janeiro.  The only explanation I have come up with since, as this nearly happened again in South America, is when I was getting on the plane in Heathrow, the hostess took both boarding passes for both legs of my trip.  Something to remember in the future!!!

Missing boarding pass

Approaching the Ramada Plaza
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I had already checked in my luggage(backpack) for the next leg to Rio de Janeiro and hoped it would be alright as I saw the luggage handlers throw my backpack on the conveyor belt (I had a big bottle of Bundy Rum in that bag).  I just couldn't find my boarding pass so missed the next flight.  My backpack went to Rio(so I hoped) but my hand luggage and I didn't make it.  What's the old saying "Its not the Destination, its the Journey".  I was a little concerned where I was going to spend the night.  However, the staff at American Airlines were great and arranged a 24 hour stopover for me with accommodation and meals provided for at no cost to me at the Ramada Plaza which is at the airport.