Am I excited? YES! Wouldn't you be?
One detail has been troubling me for days. My plane arrives at a foreign airport and a foreign country at 2310. By the time I clear passport control and customs I expect it to be close to 1 a.m. Can I find a taxi at that hour? I know, I know, there are many more on the plane with the same dilemma. But do I wish to fight them for the scarce resources?
I booked everything myself on line and primarily with the hotels through their own websites. A couple have sent me emails asking what would make my stay more comfortable and what questions might I have. To the one in Lisbon, I asked about the arrival time and availability of transportation to the hotel in the middle of the night.
I was assured I had multiple options in Lisbon from public transportation, shuttles, taxis and of course they could make arrangements. Still, I was uneasy. I did a little online research and booked transport from the airport to the hotel and someone will meet me with a sign with my name on it. That is very reassuring for me.
I remember the first time I was met at the airport with my name on a placard. It was at Templehoff in Berlin while my husband was still alive. That was the easiest airport I have ever experienced with regard to passport control and customs. The uniforms were a little scary though. When my husband and I emerged we were met by a couple holding a sign with our names: Bob and Mary. That was totally unexpected. In fact, I was not sure they even knew my name. That experience warrants a separate post.
One detail has been troubling me for days. My plane arrives at a foreign airport and a foreign country at 2310. By the time I clear passport control and customs I expect it to be close to 1 a.m. Can I find a taxi at that hour? I know, I know, there are many more on the plane with the same dilemma. But do I wish to fight them for the scarce resources?
I booked everything myself on line and primarily with the hotels through their own websites. A couple have sent me emails asking what would make my stay more comfortable and what questions might I have. To the one in Lisbon, I asked about the arrival time and availability of transportation to the hotel in the middle of the night.
I was assured I had multiple options in Lisbon from public transportation, shuttles, taxis and of course they could make arrangements. Still, I was uneasy. I did a little online research and booked transport from the airport to the hotel and someone will meet me with a sign with my name on it. That is very reassuring for me.
I remember the first time I was met at the airport with my name on a placard. It was at Templehoff in Berlin while my husband was still alive. That was the easiest airport I have ever experienced with regard to passport control and customs. The uniforms were a little scary though. When my husband and I emerged we were met by a couple holding a sign with our names: Bob and Mary. That was totally unexpected. In fact, I was not sure they even knew my name. That experience warrants a separate post.
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| Templehof. Site of the Berlin airlift. |
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