May 11-12 Day 1

This is my first trip to Europe without David and I'm feeling sad about it but am also so happy to be with Matt. 

As with most trips to Europe from the West Coast, we left SF on May 11 and arrived in Portugal on May 12. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 5:10. Matt came to my house and parked his car. Avi picked us up and took us to Fruitvale BART. Taking BART to the airport is a first time experience for me but Matt likes to save money, so I'm following his lead.

We made it uneventfully to the airport in plenty of time. Matt and I had dedicated some effort to keeping our bags within the weight limits TAP Portugal requires so we headed straight to the gate. Lines were fairly uneventful and we settled in to wait. I headed off to get a salad and coffee and of course, Matt wanted nothing but ended up sharing with me.

Barbara was unable to check-in on line and ended up waiting a hour and a half to check in and they made her check her bag. That ended up not being a good thing as we found out in Lisbon.

Finally, all of us on the plane. The ride was smooth and uneventful and we all managed to get a tiny bit of sleep on the plane, me the least. I think I maybe slept a hour. Maybe. Our flight was a bit delayed out of SF, maybe 30 minutes and that also cost us.  Landing in Lisbon, 11 hours later, we only had an hour and a half to get through customs, pick up Barbara's bag and get back on the plane. We ran like crazy through the crazy and HUGE sprawling Lisbon airport. SOOOOO many people everywhere. Had to exit security and go back through. We didn't quite make it. Got to the gate five minutes before the plane took off but the gate was closed. Oye.

Found the required agent for TAP Portugal to help us and waited in line again. We finally got to the agent and were told that our tickets were completely nonrefundable and worth nothing. We had to buy new tickets, in spite of the fact that it was TAP's fault we missed our plane. Nothing to do but accept it and pay. The only flight that we could get on without flying business class didn't leave until 7:30 and would cost us $230 each. That was tough to stomach, especially since we would easily have made it except for the fact that Barbara had to check her bag. But we tried to accept it and move on. Matt is very good at keeping a good attitude no matter what so he helped me. We found some dinner and settled in to wait for five hours. 

Finally got on the plane for Porto. The Lisbon airport didn't leave us with fond memories. You have to take long bus rides on and off the planes and the airport was absolutely packed with humans and no place comfortable to sit. But we are happy to be safe and traveling and we know how fortunate we are.

Landed in Porto and we have missed our welcome dinner and orientation for our tour. The Tour Director said she would send the driver to get us but after waiting for 45 minutes, we hailed our own taxi. We are so very exhausted. My oh my. Almost 24 hours since we left home. Arriving at the hotel, check in was smooth and effortless and our hotel room is nice. We are so happy to be here. Both of us took Ativan and bed never felt so good!