The flight to Amsterdam was uneventful, as we slept most of the time.
But once we arrived at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol we had issues!
I had been alerted by Delta that security at Schiphol was lengthy, but as we were only transferring, we did not think it would be a problem – but it was!
For some reason, even although we were transferring, they insisted we all go through security again. But they only had 1 security gate open, so we were in line for a while. Everyone was bitching at the Airport personnel, as everyone had a tight connection, but they didn’t seem to care. They were very rude!
Penny got so upset that she called KLM and complained bitterly to them. The folks in line were cheering her on!
At last we got through security, and now we had to run to make our flight to Minneapolis. They had already closed the gates, but held them for all of us that were on the flight from Cape Town. Had to be the worst experience at an Airport that I have ever had.
Next stop Minneapolis. The flight was not bad, but by this time both Penny and I were tired and a little moody!
In Minneapolis, we had to go through customs. So we had to find our luggage and take it through customs then load our luggage back on the conveyor belt to go to Sacramento. In all the confusion, Penny accidentally loaded her hand luggage on the belt and it was gone with the rest of the luggage. But as it did not have tags, the airport folk would not know what to do with it. We were assured that unmarked bags would land up at the Delta service counter.
We had a 4-hour layover, so we were sure the bag wouuld arrive in time for our flight. But it was getting close. The Delta folk had all of Penny’s info and said they would forward the bag to Sacramento either in time to catch the same plane or a later plane. Penny was a little concerned as her medication was in her hand luggage.
But we boarded the plane and still no sight of her hand luggage. Now to make things worse, Penny was in the middle seat for this leg and the guy next to her was one of those that should have bought 2 seats! Penny made sure he did not hog her armrest – but by the end of the flight they were chatting like old friends.
Yay, Penny’s hand luggage was on the plane so all is well that ends well.
We were picked up at the Airport by our friend Dick Minnis to take us home!
What an adventure.
This trip could not have been any better. Definitely a trip of a lifetime!