Day 1 – Travel Day



Today is always the hardest day for us when heading to Europe – Travel Day! The last-minute chores, did we pack too much or too little, and will the plane be on-time are all causing a tad bit of anxiety. All that disappears the moment we step on the plane, but then reality strikes! It is an eight-hour flight to our destination… in the middle of the night, over water, in a confined space. Tom is lucky in that he sleeps well on a plane, Janet not so much.

Departing from Richmond to connect in Philadelphia with our final destination in Madrid is on today’s agenda. Between past business trips, remodeling a bathroom, and adding a wine cellar in our basement, the flight will be covered by frequent flyer miles.  Past experience has taught us that leaving from a smaller airport (Richmond in this case) to a European destination, vice flying direct from Dulles in DC, opens up more opportunities to use frequent flyer miles. However, it does add a stop for the connection. Oh well, when we wake up, we will be in Madrid.

Flashback 1972 – We arrived at the high school at dawn for a bus ride to JFK in New York. Neither one of us had ever flown on a jet before and the excitement level of our group was crazy. Kiss the moms and dads, one more check of passports, and then we were on our way! As always it seems when travelling, we arrived at JFK early and it was a hurry up and wait kind of day.

The chariot that would take us on our educational journey was a stretch Douglas DC-8 operated by Trans International Airlines. TIA is/was a charter and cargo transport company. At JFK we rendezvoused with two hundred other students headed across Europe for summer programs. Once onboard, the aircraft was a buzz with kids from Alaska, Nevada, New York, Virginia, and multiple other states introducing themselves, and in some cases creating life-long friendships. It was about this time the chaperones must have been thinking… why did I sign-up for this? Our arrival in Madrid was on schedule as the sun arose. Unfortunately, the charter bus to Salamanca was not there, and we had another wait. This time it was four hours until a driver and bus could be located. We arrived in Salamanca late afternoon totally exhausted, but amazed at the sights and sounds.

Our hope is that when you read this, we are in flight or have already arrived in Madrid. Wednesday is the last day of one of Madrid’s most important holidays. A week of celebration, music in the streets, and traditional dancing will be ending as we arrive. The holiday is to honor the patron saint of Madrid - Saint Isidro. If all goes well, we will have checked into our hotel downtown (not far from El Prado) by 11 and will immediately head out into the streets to experience and capture in photos the conclusion of the Saint Isidro Festival. Sounds like a good way to acclimate on day one for us.

The time has come to head to the airport and begin that dreaded hurry up and wait routine that travelers must endure. Albeit, it will give us quality time together to chat and remember.

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Flash - As we were leaving the house to begin our trip, we got an American Airlines Alert saying flight one is delayed.  Let the fun begin - UGH!

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Update:  Safe Arrival Philadelphia!  Madrid Flight On Time.
We even have time for a refueling stop.  Vino Volvo - Love Them!