Memory Monday ~ Mediterranean Cruise ~ Part 2 ~ Travel

It was 5:30a.m. and we were standing at the US Air terminal. Although I was excited about this trip, I wasn't looking forward to the flights. It was going to be a long day, about 18 hours before boarding for the cruise. This includes layovers and changing planes. I don't sleep on airplanes. It is not that I don't want to, I just can't. No matter how hard I try (maybe that is the problem, I try) it doesn't happen for me. I can sit there, close my eyes and rest them, but there was no sleeping for me.

We took off that morning right on schedule. Leaving San Francisco, we were headed to Charlotte, North Carolina. This was approximately a four hour flight. I brought my Nook, some magazines and puzzle books. Have I ever told you I love Sudoku puzzles? I spent most of my time on this flight working puzzles. In fact, I need to purchase a new Sudoko puzzle book as I have completed the one I have. I have been known to do Suduko puzzles on my phone too, always have to be doing something!

Of course, we had to change planes in Charlotte. Thankfully, we didn't have to get our luggage and move it also. I always worry about making the connecting flight when we have to do this. Once, when in Chicago's O'Hare airport we had to change planes, and sure enough the terminal we needed to go to was at the other end of the airport. We only had one hour and our previous flight had arrived a little late to boot. We raced to catch the next flight, which luckily we made. I however, was frazzled, hot and sweaty by the time we reached that terminal. Who says vacation is relaxing?

The second leg of our journey was to Madrid. This was exciting as I have never left the western hemisphere before. I feel very fortunate that I do not have a fear of flying, especially as we crossed the ocean. This flight was seven and a half hours. I still wonder what I really did to pass the time, it seemed to go faster that I imagined it would.

My husband did a lot of resting and sleeping on these flights. I was concerned how he was going to handle all the plane time, but he slept, or rested most of the time which surprised me. Can one person get to much sleep? I downloaded a book on Mark Twain to my Nook before we left, thinking at least there would be something for him to read. He read maybe two chapters, and has never finished the book. The book must not have interested him, even though it was a recommendation...very interesting.

Upon landing in Madrid we collected all of our luggage, we of course needed to go through customs. That was actually a breeze, very smooth and easy. The last leg of our flight was from Madrid to Barcelona, a little commuter flight, about an hour long. We sent our luggage to be loaded again, except for our carry on's which we soon were informed were to large for this plane, so they ultimately were checked also. The next thing we knew we were pulling luggage off the baggage claim turn style. We each had two suitcases and a carry on, plus our "extra bag" for bringing home souvenirs. We used  the "extra bag" for dress clothes and shoes etc. on the way over.

We landed in Barcelona, local time being around 10:00a.m. the next day. I was concerned how I was going to handle another full day without any sleep. Hubby was set with all of his cat naps. We didn't board the ship until mid afternoon, so we had plenty of time to get to the pier. A shuttle had been pre-arranged to take us there so we gathered our luggage and boarded the shuttle. We were on our way again, this time to the cruise ship! We had a great day of flying and travel. Thankfully no problems, mishaps or plane hijackings.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts!





Copyright © 2011 By Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved