Surreal Moment in Madrid-Barajas Aeropuerta.

I’m in the Madrid international airport. There is a cacophony of languages. Very little of it is in English. My high school Spanish has completely failed me.

I’ve been chilling in the VIP lounge, where it is very quiet. (For 34 euros, you too can be a VIP!). I kept checking the monitor for my gate assignment. Nothing. I called the airline. It hasn’t been assigned yet.

This airport is huge. Lots of people. Lots of languages. I have no idea what terminal to be in, much less which concourse. The woman at customs indicated she thought Terminal 4 gates in area J or K. I’m getting a wee bit anxious. I leave the tranquil lounge for teeming crowds, nonstop PA announcements, and crying children. I fight my way through. “Perdóname por favor;” I check monitor after monitor. Finally, I find it. I’m in the right terminal, wrong concourse. I head for Gate K 80. Finally, I get there. Here. I am here. I collapse into an empty bank of seats. I’m the first one here.

Then. Out of nowhere — off in the distance somewhere — someone is loudly and exuberantly whistling Camp Town Ladies. Stephen Foster in the Madrid Airport. I have an instant earworm. (and now you do too!). Doodah indeed.

Bon Voyage

The journey begins with a bang. They changed the aircraft of the Madrid flight so I can’t fly premium economy.They’re giving me a $600 voucher, refunded the extra that I paid and giving me a good seat on the aisle.

I had started this post originally with the idea that I was off to an inauspicious start having been literally up all night. As Yellowdog Granny would say, “I’m so tired I’m left handed.” I can’t figure out due to lack of sleep if it’s an auspicious start or not.

We’re at Runaway Train Stage – just hang on and try to enjoy the ride.