Our trip home started without a hitch. Had last 'meal' in the Executive Lounge, finished last minute packing and left bags in the room. The bellman picked them up (per the Tauck List) and let us know when our transportation arrived to take us to the airport...one last drive through and look at some of the Prague sights. When we arrived at the airport the car was met by a Tauck rep. who put our bags on a cart and brought us to the correct line for baggage drop (we had checked in the night before online). We just looked at each other and said..."They think of everything". Got to the gate and boarded our plane to Frankfurt on time. On arrival in Frankfurt - the fun began. Much like our connection there on the way to Budapest, the trek to the gate led to a long and slow security line. This time we had more time to make the connection which included a long walk to the correct concourse and another interrogation. When this agent looked at our boarding passes, she said, "Did you change flights?". I said that I had noted when I printed the passes that we were now flying through Phila. instead of directly to Charlotte, but hadn't thought of it as 'our' change but, rather the airline's. That's how we found out that our original flight had been delayed to 4:30 PM which, while direct, would have gotten us home at midnight. Although changing from International to Domestic in Philly is a real pain, it was better than getting home at midnight, especially since our son-in-law, Mike, might not have appreciated a 4.5 hour wait :)
After our long, 3 legged flight, we were delighted to get home on time (7:25 pm here - 1:30 AM in Prague) to a private driver who smiled and was pleasant - maybe he works for Tauck on the side? It was good to sleep in our own bed AND, especially, to enjoy our own shower. One thing that leaves much to be deserved about European travel it the very narrow tubs, most without grab bars, that make taking a shower hazardous. And on the boat, we were clearly at the outer limits of size for the shower in our very nice cabin. The trials of travel are minimal compared to joy we get from seeing and experiencing new places, so take this as a hint of what to expect when you travel (if you haven't already).
Three loads of laundry done! Stayed up as long as we could to beat the jet lag monster. Unpacking complete. Missy picked up at the kennel with a new haircut and sooo glad to be home. Love the old line "I wish I was the kind of person that my dog thinks I am!). Now the challenge is the organization/posting of pictures and the next step in my current work project!
Time to set up the blog for our next trip :)
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