Ticket to Ride

Sunday November 13

To the airport. There were times when I thought this might not happen. Other times when I thought it would be too difficult for me and I’d need a lot of assistance to do it. But it’s not like that. Since moving onto the walking stick I’ve become quite comfortable to the point where the only real issue is when should I stop using the stick.

I’m excited to be going, but there is also a sense of trepidation. I’m really looking forward to being in my place, but will I cope?

Despite this, it makes sense to be using a walking stick while travelling, it draws people’s attention to the fact that even if I don’t need help, I do need space, and in some situations, patience.

Then there are the indirect benefits. When I go to join the security line I am called over to the fast track when the person on duty sees my stick. That’s nice. Peculiarly, the alarm doesn’t go off when I go through the metal detector. The guard jokes that they didn’t put metal in, but I think more likely the thing is just not on, or is set to catch the odd random person, and I’m not that one. It is only slightly worrying. While I’ve always presumed that they were set to trigger after a set amount of people went through, I also assumed they do actually catch metal! (Later I work out that the metal used isn’t magnetic, so doesn’t automatically trigger the alarm.)

The airport is fine, after a bit of a walk I find a café and have a drink and a rest, not long after the plane is ready, and while the journey is a bit dull – aren’t all flights (and, honestly, I wouldn’t like an exciting flight, a bit boredom is much better than some drama mid-air) – it is straight-forward.

In advance I had made a few small arrangements. Initially I’d been put into a window seat, but Wizz Air agreed to change the seat at no expense – surprisingly good service from a budget airline!

Of three airlines I’ve had to deal with, KLM won, proactive, clear instructions and offer of full help (in the end I postponed that flight). Wizz Air sail into second place, I only asked for a little help, but they freely gave it and would have arranged help in the airport if I’d requested it. Ryanair are a total disaster zone. I had a flight booked with them I couldn’t use, contacted them in plenty time, and they refuse to do anything. I know, it’s Ryanair, but isn’t it depressing when a company plays down to its reputation, rather than surprising you by being human?

On arrival in Bucharest I decide to take the train and then the underground, just the way timings worked out it’s the best way. It was a good decision to have only hand luggage as this makes negotiating the way home easy, and I even enjoy the walk from the underground to home – one I normally find dull, at best.

And that’s it. I’m home. Made it.

While it feels like the end of an adventure, immediately it becomes a new one. While I was away I had a faulty curtain rail in the bedroom fixed. Unfortunately, the person who fixed it didn’t put the curtains back up. Should I get someone to come and do it for me? After a bit of thinking I decide to be brave and climb a ladder myself, and slowly achieve the task.