Landed in Dublin

Greetings followers and anyone happening by.

The flight from Ottawa to Toronto turned out to be uneventful but for a few minutes I wasn't sure. As we approached Pearson airport the pilot lowered the landing gear - at least that's what it sounded like and I've heard my share of "wheels on the way down" over the years. 

And then he retracted it and tried again. This was repeated another couple of times. I wonder was he teasing us, now somewhat fearful back in steerage? I kind of lost track of whether he was lowering or raising it. No announcement was made to the huddled masses.

In any event, it was a bit of a bumpy landing but after braking and following the taxiways for 15 minutes, we did arrive unscathed at the gate.

Making the connection was not a big deal. The signage has either improved, or my ability to read the markers has. Following the signs to section E for international flights was easy. It was only a 20 minute walk - and there I was trotting along without a fitbit to encourage me.

We were duly assigned Gate E78 and there the passengers assembled. There was a delay in the departure because of cargo-loading issues apparently, but despite taking off 30 minutes late, we arrived about 30 minutes early. Must have been a great tailwind as I didn't hear the engines screaming.

With a little bit of "better living through chemistry" I did manage a few hours of sleep. God bless sleep masks and ear plugs. There was a dinner served about an hour after takeoff but I declined. The horrendously expensive, tiny little egg salad sandwich I enjoyed in the terminal, was still enough given the lack of moving around. I must admit dinner did look and smell pretty good - in fact it was the wafting fumes that woke me up from sleep installment #1.

Breakfast was served shortly before landing. It was more or less a plastic-wrapped slice of banana bread tossed in my direction, followed by a tiny little cup of not-too-bad coffee. And thus ended the last sleep installment.

Clearing customs and immigration was speedy and it wasn't a long wait for the bag to come rolling along on the carousel, with the handles strategically placed as far from my reach as possible. But I wrangled it off.

Then there was the short trot to "Area 16"!!! That is the corral for hotel shuttle buses. By the time I asked the attendant what colour bus I should be looking for, it rolled in. The driver took one look at this old lady and picked up the two bags and stowed them for me. He leaped into action on arrival at the hotel, taking them off again. Another gentleman offered to roll them into the hotel for me but by then I felt in control again and simply thanked him for the offer. 

There was a short line-up to check in and I followed a Chinese couple wearing masks. Um .. should I have been worried? I didn't ask where they had come from as the LHR (London, Heathrow) on the bag tag might have been their departure point. Anyway, once at the desk the jolly soul was very helpful and I was more than a little delighted to be able to move right into my room even though it was still early.

Now that I've checked the wifi and issued this update, I shall drain my acceptable cup of instant coffee, provided as a do-it-yourself project in the room. 

The room is quite nice and modern and the bathroom looks wonderful with a large walk-in shower. I shall walk in soon.

The rain is to stop by noon and then I'll venture out to update my SIM card and once again feel totally connected. It's about a 20 minute walk, or a 2 Euro bus ride, or 8 Euro taxi ride. I'm planning on the walk.

Until there's more to add ...