Sunday, 28 April

Going Home:  The hotel corridors and elevators were so complex that we lost our way as we were leaving, but eventually made it to the front desk. Our taxi driver from the day before was waiting, as promised, and we were soon on our way to Schiphol Airport. Our driver said that in many years driving a taxi in Amsterdam, he’d never dropped off or picked up anyone at the Q-Factory Hotel, so he was interested in our experience. At the huge, very busy airport, we were immediately redirected to a different terminal, along with a very long line of other travellers. We were most grateful that our driver had gotten us a luggage cart and loaded it for us. When we got there,  an attendant let us know that our flight was delayed by 45 minutes and directed us to the far end of the very large space to check in. The check-in terminal refused to check us in and the staff there had nothing to offer. Fortunately, I spotted and Air Canada logo and found a lovely lady wearing the Air Canada uniform. Since our Lufthansa flight was joint with Air Canada, they quickly checked our bags and gave us boarding passes. Next was security, after another long walk. As usual, Larry had to step aside to be wanded, and my carry-on needed further scrutiny, so that took a little time -- but the staff were unfailingly patient, cheerful and friendly. Then we lined up for passport check, which was automated and easy. Naturally, our gate was so far away that we thought we were in a different country. Larry had had a very bad cold for 3 or 4 days, which had left him kind of wiped out, so this was all exhausting. In any case, we were comfortably settled in the departure lounge a good 2.5 hours before boarding and had gotten coffee and water to revive us. It was a smooth trip home from there. Pearson Airport seemed like a romp in the country after the magnitude of Schiphol. We took our time getting to customs and immigration and both were smooth and easy. Our bags were waiting for us and we easily got a limo to come home. After all the green trees in Europe, it was like moving back a month in time, but here we can still enjoy the emerging leaves and fruit trees in bloom, along with daffodils and other spring flowers that aren’t buried in drifts of snow. It’s always good to get home.