A Bus, a Plane, a Tram, and a Train

9.20.16 Tuesday - Travel Day

Amazingly we woke up on time and made it out the door only five minutes late. We left our note in the guestbook as well as one with some money for a bottled water we drank from the room, then off we went with our big old bags, down the creepy old elevator one more time.

We stopped to ask two people if we were headed in the right direction and they were both pleasant. EP scoped out all the people with luggage and, 15 minutes after scheduled time, the bus arrived. We were both glad we'd sacrificed sleep to take the earlier bus. Somehow we arrived to the airport on time and while the airport is being remodeled we got lucky and walked right into Air Canada's temporary check in station. We waited about a half hour before the staff showed up for work but at least we were on time. Our bags were checked without a hitch and then off to security, customs, and breakfast we went.

The airport was much smaller than I had expected, perhaps because of the remodeling. We didn't have much to choose from in the way of restaurants but we got on okay and ended up sitting next to some lovely people from Canada. Two sisters, Millie & Maureen had been on vacation here as well. We swapped vacation stories and chatted for a good hour about other things as well. We boarded the plane by bus, even thought it's the biggest plane I've been on in a while. It was definitely interesting! But the people were nice, as always. I LOVE Air Canada!

This flight we have TV screens with access to a plethora of movies and TV shows. I took a break from the earbuds to blog because they give me a headache if I wear them too long. It has made the flight so bearable, watching movies makes the time fly! EP watched the new Jungle Book and a movie called 13 Hours, now she's on Parent Trap (the Lindsay Lohan version). I watched Wild and a movie called Sing Street, based in Dublin in 1985. We have already been fed a hearty lunch as well as ice cream and pretzels, plus another snack (dinner-ish) to look forward to any minute now!

A third or a bit less of the way through the flight, Millie found us and came over to say hello. She's a nervous flier so I hope she's doing okay, we're in quite the patch of turbulence now - peas in a pod, she and I! Anyway, she asked if we drank alcohol and received a resounding YES from us both. She and Maureen wanted to buy us each two drinks!!! We were ecstatic. They are so nice!!! The beverage cart came through and we each got a red wine, full glass too! EP gave the flight attendant the heads up about or deal with M & M and he looked at us confused. Guys- I love alcohol and this is my third international flight with Air Canada. BOOZE IS FREE. You heard me correctly, folks; go book those tickets! Have I mentioned I love Air Canada?

Millie came back to check on us a few hours later and we let her in on the secret of free drinks. She's retired from Air Canada, I think she said for twenty years now! And she gets free standby flights. VERY cool. A little bit later she came back again, with gifts!!! She gave us each an Air Canada pouch that they give you in first class. She even wrote our names on the outside of the plastic bags and left us a little note to stop by if we're ever in town so now EP and I will have to take a trip to Toronto! The kits are very nice, I love the bag!!! And we got ear plugs, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and flossers, an eye mask, some aromatherapy, and socks! What a nice flight and lovely to meet M&M. We have been very fortunate on this trip and met all of the right people! I will have to write a wrap-up/follow up post with all of the little things I missed or forgot about while we were so busy traveling.

Ciao for now!

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At this point we're headed toward Windsor from Toronto on the train. I had to maneuver some things around in my bags to get the luggage light enough (limit is 40lbs on late trains with cheap fares). We're both tired but I'm more irritable. 😡😲

When we departed the plane we saw M & M again and helped them snag their luggage from the carousel, it was insane- they had bags from three separate major flights coming out on the same carousel. Luggage was getting mashed and squashed all over the place. Customs was quick and easy, as usual, since we aren't leaving anything in Canada. We found the tram and made it to Union Station which is STILL undergoing restoration. We did not have a great choice of food but we'll live.

I made some calls and my puppies will be waiting for me at grams, thanks dad! Now all that's left is to meet up with mom & John to get us back into the old U S of A and then of course Pammy P. will be taking EP away from me! 😭

Thanks again all of you for coming on our trip with us by reading the blog. I can't wait to see all of the photos from my pops' fancy DSLR camera. I'll post one more follow up entry at some point and the next vacation blog will be starting in November when I go to Florida!

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Whew! That train ride was rough. Both of us could not get comfortable and it seemed like it took FOREVER. Mom & John were right there to pick us up and we went right through the border, the customs guy was great! We got home and my puppies were the sweetest.

And then I dropped my murano glass plate from Venice on the ground and broke it. 😭😭😭

Guess now I have to go back. 😉

See you next trip! 🍀✈️🚆🛳🌎🌍🌏