I wish I could write that the trip home was completely uneventful. But I can’t.
On the plus side, our flight was midday. We did not have to get up at the crack of dawn for the ride to the airport. (I spoke with one of our fellow travelers–“Super Bock” Joe (it’s a beer)– before dinner the previous evening. He and his wife were skipping the meal and going to bed cuz their wake-up call was for 2 AM!)
But the bad vibes started upon reaching the airport. Long lines of vehicles extended back along the entry ramp. And our progress forward to the Departure gates came in inches (or centimeters) rather than meters.
Inside the terminal, it wasn’t much better. People and luggage were everywhere. We made our way to United’s check-in counter only to discover that the airport’s public wi-fi was down causing another bottleneck. And I was the only one of the four of us who was unable to retrieve my downloaded ticket on my phone. So much for the oft-touted convenience of an app. Despite being in United’s Premier Access line, I ended up having to leave the line, go to a not-so-nearby kiosk, and print a paper boarding pass before requeueing. Ironically, at the moment I was called to the counter, wi-fi service returned and my boarding pass(es) started popping up on my phone.
Fortunately, that was the last of any snafus impeding our return to the States. Which was a marked change from our difficulties getting here.
The only other “issue” experienced only by me was the final leg of our journey home. The puddle jumper that carried us to Cleveland had less legroom in regular coach seating than any of the previous three planes on this trip. Again, Xanax saved the day, tamping down the anxiety that could have arisen as I folded myself into the seat.
Portugal: Lisbão to Oporto 