Farewells and Hellos

Today began with a 6:00 a.m. pick up from Ernest who drove us to the Luxembourg airport for our flight to Vienna via Paris. Although we had only really met Ernest on Friday, it was as if we had known him for a very long time, and as we bid farewell, he stood there, waving, with his eyes brimming with tears. It had been such a wonderful weekend for all of us, and I'm certain that Ernest really felt needed and important this weekend, something that he doesn't often get the opportunity to feel having been widowed at a very young age. Marty and I both were quite touched by his reaction to our leaving, and we plan to keep in contact with him in the future. He was really one entertaining fellow.

We were treated, once again, to a delightful croissant on our flight from Luxembourg to Paris, and I'll admit that was the highlight of the trip. The boarding in the Paris airport was something I had never seen before, every man for himself trying to rush through the gate into the plane. I don't think they understand the meaning of the word "queue" in the Paris airport, although I thought that word was French!

We arrived in Vienna a bit late, and our luggage did not arrive at all. After filling out the appropriate forms, we nearly missed the taxi driver that was hired to pick us up, but luck was with us as we heard our name being announced, and met Peter who shuttled us into Old Town Bratislava where we met my cousin Helga.

Helga was just thrilled to pieces to have us visit, and she walked us to our hotel, which is actually a type of apartment in Old town Bratislava. This place is wonderful. We have two rooms and a bath, quiet and no smell of smoke anywhere, quite unlike our hotel in Echternach. We survived that experience by keeping the windows open. That hotel had real old town charm, and delightful owners, but because the room was above a pub, the smoke traveled right up through the room. This place is pristine and very quiet. No breakfast included, but there is a kitchenette and coffee machine. We'll be just fine. The proprietor could not be any nicer.

Despite the rain and cold, Helga walked us through town, and we decided to have some lunch at a nearby restaurant. The food was marvelous, and by the time we finished eating, the airport service was calling us to tell us that they would meet us at the US embassy with our luggage. Our hotel is in a pedestrian only area, so they did not want to have to walk our luggage to the hotel. It all worked out for the best, as we were finished eating. We received our suitcases, although mine is missing a handle and has metal pieces sticking out where the handle should be, and we brought everything up to the room, then headed over to Helga's for some time spent in her flat.

Tomorrow more cold and rain is predicted, but we plan to make the most of it and tour the city with Helga leading the way. She is so excited to have us here visiting and we are really enjoying her company. She, too, is very entertaining.
So, until tomorrow....