TRAVELS AND TRIBULATIONS # 339

May 22, 2022

First of all,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW!

Our babies are 46 today!

Secondly, we went to the Marco Polo Airport via Venice water conveyance, and after 2 hours and 70 euros had our covid tests, so tomorrow we can go back to the airport and wing our way to home.  Yes!

At 07:00 Ms. Flores, Daniela’s assistant, will meet us here to help lug our luggage to the dock where we will sail away.  She grabbed our bags when we came in, hoisted them up and carried them off like a UPS driver on steroids (no reflection on anyone who works for UPS).  She is almost as skinny as Amy – I don’t know how she totes that stuff.  But I am going to let her.  And give her a generous Thank You!

I received an email from Delta while we were at the airport telling me I could use their app and check-in.  So when we got back to the flat, I started.  The first leg of our journey leaves at 12:40 on Air France, so I was transferred to Air France and after an hour of frustration and a bad word or two, AF said, “Nope, not gonna do it.  Wouldn’t be prudent.  Please check in at the airport.”  Oh my goodness.  But if that is as bumpy as it gets, and it has been, it is, as Jennifer says, “All good.”

And now I am going to pull up Poker Stars and play a few hands.  This blog will be concluded by my traveling companion who did not let the morning’s activities frustrate her.

Oh, and an idiot from Northern Europe called my all-in with a 10-2 off suit.  I had Aces.  He turned a 2 and rivered a 10.  Unbelievable!

TTFN

Love,

Dad/Pappy/David

* * * * *

Now, for the REST of the story. No sleep or little sleep last night. Maybe tonight. We got up and got ready to head to the boat for the airport. It is about a 20 minute walk. We got there and on board and headed there by about 8:35. The boat was very crowded and you had to wear your n95 mask if only for your own protection. Very hot and uncomfortable. Well we arrived about 9:20 and from where the b0at docked it was a 14 minute walk to the terminal according to the signs and they were right, even with the moving sidewalks. Then, we searched and found the signs for the covid tests. They directed us to the floor below. 

OH, MY, WORD!!! The testing place opens at 8:00 and the sign says take a number and fill out the form. So we took a number B 90. The number started with A 1-99 and then B 1-99 and C 1-99 etc. They were working on B 20. There were people and luggage everywhere. Some were from cruise ships heading home and others from Venice. Most had flights leaving in one or two hours. It was crazy! So we started to watch the numbers. There were 2 women doing the checking in and collecting money. One person actually doing the tests.  While we watched one man got very angry and started shouting at the lady who appeared to be in charge. She called the police and 4 armed men soon arrived. They conversed with the man and her but didn’t take him away. He soon got his turn. When they finally got to B 80 we went up to stand where the short line to get into the check in was.  While we were waiting a very, rude woman started to yell in English that this was a rip off, they were just doing this to make money, etc. One of the ladies doing check in started to yell back, bad idea, and solved nothing. Finally she went away. Finally our turn we paid our 70 euros and then got in the line to get the test. Swab up the nose and about 5 minutes later a paper saying your negative. There was more but that is enough.

We went upstairs and got a sandwich and a drink. We made the 14 minute walk back to the boat, waited and rode back in a very hot, and stuffy boat. I think it was about one when we finally made it back to the apartment. Off with all the wet clothes and a nap. 

We are going to wash up tonight after our TV shows and put everything in the suitcases but the pjs. They will go into the suitcase in the morning. We will be leaving the apartment at 7 am. The trip will take a little longer because we will have our suitcases and the two large sets of steps to go up and down. When we get to the airport we have to check in and go though US security and customs. We tried to check in on line but it wouldn’t let us. I think it is because you have to show you covid test results. 

Tomorrow shall be a LONG DAY. The bed tomorrow night will be so good.

Well, supper was good,  bruchettas for me and pork chop for him. We are back in the apartment.

Love you all and miss you. Mom, Granny and Bonnie

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