Arriving…

I’m awake. It was a long day yesterday… about 31 hours from getting up in NC and arriving at the hotel in Porto. There was one glitch that could only make me laugh after the initial frustration. After arriving in Lisbon and making it to the gate for the connecting flight, they called my name over the loudspeaker. Oh no. Turns out that my bike speaker in my checked luggage had not been turned off and the play button was pushed. The gate agent told me that there was a vibration or music coming from the box. Bomb? Well, they didn’t go that far, but gave me the option of getting on the next flight in 2 hours so I could go to lost and found, reclaim my box, remove the speaker, recheck my box, go thru security again, come back and get on the plane. Lovely. So I did and when the box came down the conveyer belt, sure enough it was playing Steely Dan loud and clear! Remove offending music, recheck bag, go thru security and find gate… laughing to myself at how the smallest random things can cause the biggest hassles, but that attitude makes all the difference in the experience.

Arriving at the airport, I was a bit concerned about how to go about getting to the hotel. I was tired. I knew putting my bike together at the airport, loading it, getting to the hotel was not going to be good. As everyone knows who has travelled, that the taxi drivers all stand at the exit looking for customers. When I heard the word “Taxi” it was the sweet music to my ears. When he saw my bike box, he gave the international sign of rotating of hands… “I’m not sure about this”. But it fit in his hatchback with a few adjustments and off to the hotel.

This morning, I am rested as best as a 5 hour time difference will allow. The breakfast buffet was unlike any other I’ve seen for a $60 a night hotel. Fancy espresso machine, fruit galore, smoked salmon and even champagne to add to your orange juice. Mimosa anyone? So now I am off to explore the city with a recommendation to go to the Historic Center, a museum in an ornate, beautiful building. That sounds pretty unique now, but just may become the norm from here on out. Buen dia!