Getting there, August 18, 2011

It wasn't easy!  Our first leg of the journey from Tampa to Charlotte was delayed 45 minutes due to the plane arriving late from Boston, which required us to run to the next flight from Charlotte to Madrid.  We were cutting it close but when we made it to the gate there was another delay.  We were told that the pilots were completing some paperwork and were on their way.  Well after an hour or so we saw them strolling in a very relaxed manner to the gate.  Surely we would board soon, WRONG!  Now there was a problem with fueling the plane, supposedly a part was broken and it would have to be fueled by hand which takes 2 or 3 times as long as the automated way.  While we are waiting a gentleman told us that surely this whole delay was due to US Airways labor dispute.  Well my handy smart phone was very useful in researching the dispute and we found US Air is suing the Pilots Union for work slow downs.  Of course the Pilots Union says, "Nonsense, we're concerned about passenger safety and that's the reason for the delays."  Long story short, we took off from Charlotte 3 1/2 hours late.  After the very uncomfortable 9 hour flight (zero leg room, inconsiderate noisy passengers, broken and uncomfortable seats that wouldn't recline) of course we missed the connecting flight to Barcelona.

US Airways booked us on another flight that left in the late afternoon but didn't bother to tell us.  So we went to the terminal of the original connecting flight to find out what to do.  The airport in Madrid is made of 4 terminals, each one is approximately a mile from the others, so we had to take a bus from terminal 1 to terminal 4.  After a 30 minute wait at Iberia Airlines we were told that they couldn't help us and that an agent of US Air should of informed us of the new plan.  Finally she suggested going to the customer service desk and see if they could help us.  The gentleman at customer service was extremely kind and helpful, looked up the information on the computer and told us what flight we were on.  Back on the bus to get to terminal 2 to fly Air Europa to Barcelona.  Meanwhile Gary and I are worried about our luggage making the trip but the representative of Air Europa said she was tracking it and rerouting it through her airline to Barcelona.  The student pilot of Air Europa approached the runway with the wings tilting from side to side and hit the ground so hard on landing that I came out of my chair (no wonder you wear those seat belts) and the whole plane gasped.  After it was over Gary said he was afraid that landing could have caused a flat tire which could of meant serious trouble.  All was fine again and we were in Barcelona, let the party begin!  We went to pick up our luggage and of course it wasn't there.  After waiting in another long line of angry people with missing luggage we were told that it would be sent to our hotel if found that day and if not it would be delivered to the cruise ship the next day.

Well, we couldn't do anything but take a cab to the hotel.  Of course we found the cab driver that must of just gotten to Barcelona the same time we did since he had little knowledge of the city and dropped us off on the wrong street.  We were struggling with my big camera bag, a carry on suitcase, a travel bag and my purse.  So off we went to find the right hotel, I wanted to hail another cab but Gary thought since we were in the middle of the tourist district it had to be close.  We started walking and trying to talk to the natives to find the right way.  Everyone was wonderfully nice but they didn't know where it was either.  Finally I asked an artist on the sidewalk and she directed us to the street.  We were walking for over a mile in 95 degree heat, I looked over at my tired and sweating husband and he said, "I've had enough, I want to go home now and sit in my comfortable chair with my dog and a glass of wine."  "Oh no," said I, "I've waited a lifetime to get here and I'm not leaving now."  I knew if I could get him to the hotel find him a place to sit with his pipe and a glass of red wine all would be better. I found a policeman and he gave us the specific instructions to find the hotel.  Another mile or so and we found it!

The first good news of the journey, upon hearing of our struggles to get there the manager gave us an upgraded room!  The room was large, beautiful and oh so comfortable, things were looking up!  Off to dinner at a lovely sidewalk cafe for tapas (cheese, fruit, bread, spicy potato dish, Spanish omelet, and chicken croquettes) and a Spanish beer.  On the way back to the room I found a wonderful little shop that sold to-go food, drinks and a few groceries.  We went in to buy a bottle of wine to take back to the room, we didn't have a corkscrew so the cashier opened the bottle for us and off we went.  That delicious bottle of Spanish wine cost 2.15 euros, a small bottle of water sold for 2.10 euros.  We'll take the wine please!! 

The luggage never made it to the hotel, so the next morning I was on the phone to Air Europa and they told me they had good news that our luggage was found and that Princess was going to pick it up and deliver it to our stateroom.  After making the call, Gary and I thought that maybe we should get a cab back to the airport and pick up the luggage ourselves to be sure that it gets there.  I called Air Europa back and the gentlemen said sure you can come pick it up, so I asked him to make sure it was still there and that no one gets it before we do.  After a minute or so he comes back on and says, "Too late, Princess has picked it up."  Nothing else for us to do but trust that it makes it to the ship.  We decide to get some breakfast and stroll the lovely streets of the beautiful city of Barcelona.