Hotel in Vancouver, BC
Hotel in Vancouver, BC
Hotel in Madrid
Train ride to Madrid
Train ride to MadridWe made it. It was a bit crazy at times and there may have been one slight mental breakdown during the big move, but we did it. We moved to the United States, downsizing our stuff to only 4 large suitcases and five carry-ons and four personal items. Unfortunately, the trip did not go as smoothly as I had hoped, but we survived and after almost seven months I am finally blogging about it.
The international move started with a 6 hour train ride from Cartagena to Madrid the day before our plane left. The goodbyes of course were difficult and we ended up having to run to get on the train because we were putting off the goodbyes in the waiting area. We stayed at a hotel right by the train station and the next day we took two taxis to get to the airport. Everything went smoothly in check in. The hardest part of the trip was boarding and deboarding since we had so much carry on luggage plus 3 kids to worry about, one of which had to be in arms. Everything would have been fine had we not had to change planes, but from Mardrid we flew to Toronto where we were supposed to pick up our luggage and go through US customs and immigration in order to then board a plane to Portland. Our layover time was short, the luggage took a long time to come up, and of course we left Madrid late and customs lines were longe, so to make a long story short we missed our plan to Portland after already going through customs and immigration and dropping off our big luggage on the belt. Right after we dropped off the luggage they informed us that our plane had already left and then I realized I had left one of our carry on luggage in the other area prior to going through customs. Luckily when we returned it was still there. The ticket agent was very nice and was looking at all possible options. She gave us the option of staying in Toronto and leaving the next day for Portland or catching a plan to Vancouver, BC and staying the night and flying into Portland the next day. We decided to go to Vancouver but of course by the time we made the decision and the ticket agent arranged everything there was not much time. We tried to find our luggage but no one could tell us if the luggage accidently was sent to Portland or if it was somewhere lost at the Toronto airport. After waiting around for answers we finally decided we would just go and eventually our luggage would catch up with us again. We were tired, hungry and a bit edgy and we still had to go to through Canadian Customs and go through security. Security took longer than we had hoped so we had to run down the terminal with 5 carry ons, 4 personal items and 3 kids. It was a bit stressful and this may have been the moment of my mental breakdown. Even an airport worker stopped me to ask if I needed to go to the VIP room to rest. No rest for the wary. I wasn´t going to miss another flight. We finally made it to the gate. We sat on the ground with all our stuff and Leo went to get some food because we were starving. While the rest were eating, I was trying to call my family to let them know that the plans had changed and they didn´t need to come to the airport to pick us up until the next day. Unfortunately, my credit card wouldn´t work and I was so desparate I went up to some airport workers and asked them if I could use their cell phone. Perhaps they were just nice people or perhaps it was because I was on the brink of bawling but they let me use their phone and I could get ahold of my family. All the while our plane is boarding so once again we gathered all our stuff to board the plan. I guess a man saw how frazzled I was so he helped a bit with the luggage. Poor Leo, by the end of the trip, he had permanent indentions on his sholders from the luggage straps. Luckily the kids crashed on the flight to Vancouver. We got there very late but they had booked us at the hotel that is part of the airport so we were very grateful it was so close and we could use the trolley to carry the luggage. It was a beautiful hotel. Very posh. The airline also gave us vouchers so we ordered room service. Good food that is for sure. The next morning we took an early flight on a propeller plane to Portland after going through US customs and immigration for the second time. Since our big luggage was still lost we checked our carry ons which ment boarding was a lot easier. It was just an hour flight and we were finally home and the reunion with Grandma and Grandpa and aunts and cousins was great. To celebrate we stopped and ate at the restuarant we were craving most: TACO BELL.
FYI: Our luggage showed up on our door step the next day. All was well.
COMING SOON: Quick recap our our first 7 months in the USA.
