Leaving Dubrovnik, we had to get up super early to meet Luca who was going to take us to the airport. We were to meet him at the Ploce Gate. That means we had to get our luggage out to the Ploce Gate. Holy cow. And think, at this point, we've bought more souvenirs. I bought two big bottles of wine. That stuff weighs you down. So we are trying to make our way out of the old town making as little noise as possible. We actually carry our bags down the stairs, but we can't help the rolling on the cobblestones. And by the way... if you're ever there... try to get up early one day during sunrise.. it's purdy and you'll get pictures without random strangers in them.
Anyhow, we make it to the gate and Luca manages to get all the luggage into the wagon. I pay him when he drops us off and then we go in to check in. He comes back 10 minutes later because he says we didn't pay him enough money. I tell him we did and he takes it out and counts it. It's all there. Apparently he's not a morning person. hehee. He looks really embarassed, but no harm done. Now we wait around for our check in counter to open and decide to weigh bags at an empty counter. I am over. Oh well. I'm ready to pay. We luck out and the counter we're weighing our stuff at happens to be our check in counter. We luck out even more when the check in lady doesn't charge us for our over weight baggage. Woohoo!
We grab some breakfast, then board our plane and head back to Bratislava. That's right, back to Bratislava for a fun filled 8 hour lay over. We were all ready to check in our bags, rent a car and sight see. However, it was not meant to be. We land in Bratislava and once again, there's rain. LOTS of rain. Also, our luggage can't be checked in until two hours before the flight. I suppose we could take it with us, but the rental cars in Bratislava aren't that big. So we hang out at the airport. We see the restaurant staff change shifts, watch the gift shop lady come and go, read books, watch movies, and try to nap. You can tell which one of us is NOT the only child. I think Gina and I just accepted we'd have to sit tight for eight hours and I think we're rather used to entertaining ourselves. Vuong on the other hand seemed like she was ready to kill herself. Apparently her brothers always entertained her during those long road trips. Anyway, in addition to the airport being only about the size of Long Beach Airport, it's FREEZING in there. And they have metal chairs!
Then, aside from the boredom, we face another dilemma... we only have my 30 euros to last us the day. They use different money in Slovakia and we're not about to pay fees just to pull out some Slovakian crowns. 30 euros to feed three people all day. What will we do? Well, if you've ever seen Eurotrip... you'd know we needn't have worried. I went up to the counter and asked if they took Euros and they told me yes... I said, how much for the Pizza and 3 drinks in Euros? She tells me... 6 euros! Wow. We can live like kings. hehe.
Finally we get on the plane and we get a stinky guy behind us. At this point, we've been re-wearing some of clothes so many times, we're paranoid we're the stinky ones. Gina doesn't help by telling Vuong she actually does think its her that stinks. heehee. So now we're on the plane and they're sniffing around like hound dogs. I assure them its the guy behind us. Great, its not one of us. Nevertheless, we still have to smell it. Sucks. Thank goodness it's not too long of a flight.
We get in and it takes quite a while for our luggage to come out. I've made dinner reservations at Nobu because I'm desperate for some good food and we're celebrating Gina's birthday a little early. I call from the train to move our reservations back, then we check in at the Waldorf and get washed up and changed. We go to Nobu and the place is like a club. Much more happening than the Nobu in Malibu or NY. Downstairs there's a big bar so it looks like a club and the restaurant is upstairs. I would have liked to hang out at the bar or even check out a club down the street called Mahiki, but everyone's pretty tired, so we just head back to the hotel.
The next morning we get up and head out to Gatwick. This time, I'm just going to check in two bags and travel with a light carry on. Yay! I'll have to say, it's nice flying to and from Dallas and Gatwick because the plane isn't nearly as full. I've done the LA to Heathrow direct, and that plane is packed. On our flight, there were lights of empty spaces so that people were able to spread out. The flight actually went by pretty fast and we got into John Wayne early. No more vacation. Booooooo.
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