Ljubljana to Frankfort to Chicago to Tampa...

7.2.17
Heading Home (sniff, sniff)

"Are you awake, my little group???"

Brutal 4 AM wake-up call for ten of us, especially after a wild night of celebration. As is the case usually for me, I didn't sleep much because I worried my travel alarm clock would fail me (which it hasn't for almost 30 years) or the front desk would fail to call me - which also turned out to be right on time.

When we arrived at Ljubljana Airport in less than 30 minutes, we doubled the population of travelers waiting to depart. The check-in, security and boarding were seamless - love, love, love those small airports - and in just under 1 hour we were in Frankfort - one of my least favorite airports. 

Alix, Rick, Sandra, Michel and I traveled to our gates together - which basically consisted of miles and miles of walking and a sense of gathering anxiety while looking for toilets. Thank God we decided to use the toilet we found before security because Alix was a random pick for additional security checks - which would have resulted in severe urinary consequences for all of us old folks.

Finally Alix was finally released, so we were able to arrive at our gates and enjoy the luncheon sandwiches the hotel packed for us earlier.

All of us finally parted as our flights were due to depart within 15 minutes of each other, but we seemed - for some reason - to be stuck on the tarmac for almost 45 minutes. After a while our pilot came on the PA system and told us that there were 2 pieces of checked luggage that were being sought and removed from the hold because the person who was supposed to be traveling with them never boarded the plane. I think all of us were relieved that this is a law and that this was being done.


Takeaways from this adventure:

• These people are absolutely amazing, resilient, generous and kind
• These cities are a photographer's dream
• These beers and wines are excellent and very affordable
• The food is hearty and served in generous portions, especially if you like meat, cheese and bread (what else is there to life)?
• There is way too much smoking - everywhere

This travel group was fantastic! We came together immediately and loved our fearless leader, Vlatka! 

Vlatka, thanks so very much for your knowledge, laughter, laid-back attitude, direction and love - you made this trip "easy peasy".  And, if you didn't already realize this - we would follow you anywhere:) (within reason anyway).