Across time zones

I was hoping to have the gumption to write quite a bit tonight, but after traveling who knows how many hours I am ready for nothing but some sleep.

The line for passport control was insanely long and by that point all I could do was be patient, hate myself for having such a heavy bag, subsequently sweat, and chat with the sweet older English woman in line behind me. It took me about an hour to reach my hotel from the airport, with one transfer. Bought a transit card, found my lines, done and done.

The famous mosques came into view the nearer I came to my tram stop. They are monstrous even from afar. I could not believe what I was seeing.

My journey here was basically uneventful but I am about to tell you something you're not going to believe: my airplane food was delicious. I AM NOT KIDDING. It was dinner, served on my flight to Munich and it was some sort of mostly unrecognizable Indian fare. Green beans with coconut shavings, rice, tofu and some other things (was that a tomato? possibly a carrot? piece of eggplant? I have no idea.)

This hotel is rather lovely but I don't yet understand the keycard/light system or why there is not a top sheet on the bed.
It's rainy and quite chilly so hopefully tomorrow I'll be sitting in the pub on the corner writing about the whole fish I ate for dinner tonight.

For now, here's a few pieces of my travel day

Airport interlude

I checked in almost three hours to the minute from my departure time. However, for a minute I was not even sure I was going to make it to the terminal because my parking shuttle driver seemed to be born with a lead foot. I was re-organizing my things and WHOOPS there goes my sunglasses and cosmetics kit flying across the shuttle's floor. I was the only one on the shuttle so I risked my life to stand up and retrieve my items while this dude rocketed our shuttle ahead.
Also, do they not drop you off right at the check-in doors anymore? Not that this is a huge deal but girl with a bad back really doesn't take a liking to walking across the street, through baggage claim, and up a flight to get to the ticket counter.

Those who know me well know one of my main personal credos: Preparation is my comfort zone. My purse is always large and I promise I have everything you need. Hey, thanks for this gene, Mom! I think at this point my carry-on bag may be heavier than my suitcase.

For this trip I invested in a rolling duffle; I am already singing its praises. By the time I got everything in, Miss Overpacker had at least 10 lbs to spare. Clearly that portable luggage scale has been a good investment, as well. Buuuut by the time my trip reaches its end and I am about to leave Lisbon something tells me I will have invested in the cheapest tote I can find to cart home all your souvenirs.

I'm currently bogarting an entire 4-person table in the atrium in my airport home of Terminal C. It's bright and kind of airy but it smells like ketchup. I always (usually! whenever possible!) do the right thing so God help the person who tries to sit down and share this table with me. Unless it's an attractive and cosmopolitan looking gentleman. Then, by all means, HAVE A SEAT, SIR.

A word about airport security screening: my carry-on bag was flagged and checked earlier. The TSA officer (a woman) was friendly and gentle with my things. They saw the ipad holder I have, which, as an aluminum easel of sorts, does look like a sharp weapon. She dug that out, examined it, and replaced it. Then she took out my ipad, said she had to some kind of test to it, took it out of my sight for no more than 3 seconds and that was it. Done. Did I at all, in any way take issue with any of this? No way. If they are being this thorough then thank you, TSA, thank you for protecting me and all of us. I don't think it's silly and I'm actually happy to let them do their business. I mean come on, this is coming from a girl who doesn't even wear socks when she knows she has to remove her shoes in the security line. How THAT falls out of line with so many of my other ocd-ish quirks, I have no idea.

I land in Munich in what will be the early, early morning for all of you. If I find my way and exchange my currency with enough time to spare I will certainly share what transpired in the air.

LotsofLove
SMW