Europe - an interesting start!

After our Peru adventure came to a close, with everything going like clock-work, it was a bit of a shock when everything seemed to go wrong with our planned entrance to Europe. We seemed to have been sucked into a never-ending vortex or planes, departure lounges and trains.

Here is how the 3 day nightmare unfolded.

Friday:

Got picked up at the hotel in Lima by our pre-arranged taxi to take us to the airport. What was meant to take 30 minutes, took 1 and a half hours, at the end of which the previously perfectly reasonable driver pretended to have no change and, because we were late, had to kiss goodbye to 100 Soles.

On the plane, we noticed that they allocated seats at different parts of the plane - for an 11 hour flight- Iberia Airlines.

Saturday:

Madrid's airport terminals are a train ride apart and the individual gates miles apart. When we finally got to our gate for the Swiss Air flight to Geneva, I realised that I left my hand-knitted jacket on the plane. Madrid Aiport's lost & found department is only open 10-12 noon, Monday to Friday, so all I could do is open a lost & found case via email, but I don't hold out much hope 😩 Then the Geneva flight was announced as delayed and then I was notified via email that it was altogether cancelled. At 11 o'clock we were floundering around the airport trying to find a Swiss Air representative and finally stumbled on one who then put us up for the night in a hotel. Some consolation for the hotel booking I had to let go in Geneva. Managed to get the train ride from Geneva to Stuttgart refunded and was told that they would rebook our flights - got to bed after 1am.

Sunday:

They rebooked our flight to Geneva for 6:55 am via (would you believe) London, so up we got at 4 am to get this flight, so far so good. London's transfer to Geneva seem to go alright, although we were again at different parts of the plane, even though I asked to sit together - British Airways.

All seemed good, out we go to the runway and wait and wait - message from captain saying they have an extra piece of luggage on board and we will need to go back to gate to sort it out. Back to the gate we go - another hour - then we had to wait for them to refuel as we burnt off too much waiting - another hour. When we finally got to Geneva I was going to find another hotel, but the fast train connection was so convenient, we started our train ride through Switzerland. We finally rolled into Stuttgart Station at 9pm, having had all of 3 hours sleep for the last 3 days. I was very, very happy to see Gaby at the station. 

 

...all that was left to do is drink ...

Geneva 

  

 

      

Finally...Stuttgart - at 9 pm

 

     

Aichtal garden