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Published: October 6th 2019
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terrace view
After nap we enjoyed drinks on the terrace with a view of the side street It all started off - all 8 of us at the airport on time with no delays and luggage to go all the way through to Lisbon. Flight to Montreal fine but some hazy thing was trying to come through my brain. As we began descent into Montreal I remembered it was a rather tight timeline to get to the next flight. Only an hour. But I had been assured by Air Canada that this would not be a problem. As we rolled on the tarmac a little late there was a small delay getting to the arrival gate and when I looked out the window to see why things were taking so long there were no buildings in sight. This was a parking spot and we had to get on buses to get to the terminal. Then it took 3 tries to get the stairs lined up properly with the exit door. By now it is boarding time for our next flight. Two men in our group still thought they would have time for a WC break. No way. We came in at a domestic door and had to RUN to the international section and through a scanner. As half the group made it to the scanners they announced that everyone should already be on board for our flight. Panic - no sign of the other 4. Gate 58 of course is at the end of a very long hall. 2 get checked in and board. I check in but will not board until the other 4 get here. Ross goes running back to try and see them meanwhile they keep doing the announcement that everyone should be boarded. Finally we see them coming and tell the agent not to shut down they are here. A panting, sweaty start to an overnight flight. As soon as the last one boarded the door was closed. Usual try-to-sleep-but-no-way flight.
Now comes the seniors without sleep moments. As we start going through the terminal one couple realizes one of their carry-on bags is still in the plane. We all go through customs lines and on to the luggage area where they find the lost and found area and start the process for retrieval. Meanwhile the rest of us are standing around watching all passengers from the flight except Vancouver people pull their luggage off the carousal. Then there is only one suitcase going around and around and about 20 Vancouverites staring at the mesmerizing rotating suitcase waiting for more to come. Ross goes to help with the lost carry-on and finally the baggage shoot starts spitting out suitcases. Relief. We all have our cases and the good news that they have their carry-on. As we depart the area Deb called out, "so everyone has their bags?" We laugh and pass through the exit and find our guide from Portugal Trails. As we are going to the terminal exit, Ross emits a loud agonizing groan. Ha had left his CPAP machine and backpack back at the lost and found. So for the next 30 minutes 7 of us and the guide stand in a huddle and watch Ross run from place to place getting papers to allow him back into the luggage area. It's only about 9:30 am after a 7:30 arrival and we are all wiped! Our hotel offers us free breakfast while they prepare our rooms early for us. As we head to the breakfast room some guy hands me my voucher package I had left on the counter. Nap time couldn't come soon enough for all us.
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