Last night we had a wonderful dinner at a bar near our hotel. You have to remember when I say bar in Madrid we are actually talking about a restaurant. The food was good and it was nice catching up with Erica. It has been difficult for me to have her live so far away but I’ve come to accept it. I think our visit in 2021 was the first time I didn’t cry when we said our goodbyes. Hopefully, this trip will be the same but don’t bet on it.
During dinner, Erica mentioned that Ryan Air requires you to check in online and print your own boarding passes. We had booked our Ryan Air flight through an agency recommended by both of our travel agents for the trip. The agency they recommended did not tell us anything about checking in online or printing our own boarding passes. I emailed the agency last night and when I didn’t see a reply I called this morning and left a message. Their voicemail said they would call back in less than 10 minutes. Twenty-five minutes later I sent another email. I finally got a reply saying there would be an extra charge for our luggage and asked for authorization to use the credit card on file. Now steam was exiting my ears. I replied that when we asked them to make the reservation we told them we each would have a suitcase and a backpack. I told them they could use my credit card but I was not happy. Finally, I got a reply that the agent misread our booking and there wouldn’t be any additional charges. He also sent me our boarding passes. We used this agency at the recommendation of our travel agents so as to avoid aggravation such as this. So sometimes paying a little extra for special service is NOT worth the money. Live and learn.
We visited Erica at work today and had a bite to eat with 3 of her compañeros. It was a great opportunity to practice our Spanish and meet the people she spends her days with. I tried to convince them that she is not to be trusted and should be deported immediately to the USA. Unfortunately, they were not buying it and it looks like she will be staying after we leave.
Tonight we will meet Erica for dinner. Two of our Spanish friends were planning to join us but they had to cancel due to a serious illness in the family. It’s amazing how many friends we have here and I always feel bad because we can’t see all of them every trip. We did have a brief coffee with Angelica who I’ve known since my third trip here in 2008. She is a real delight and I refer to her as my Spanish mother because she and her ex-husband, Juan Carlos, always took such great care of me during my visits.
Tomorrow we have an early flight to Budapest on Ryan Air. If you haven’t flown Ryan Air consider yourself lucky. It’s always an experience.
I always ask Patrice to proofread my blog. Today she said, “It’s a lot of complaining and not that funny.” I told her people who read this know me and that I complain a lot and I’m not that funny.
A little question for the readers of the blog. Do you know why the airlines ask you to open your window shades during take offs and landings? Please put your answer in the comments and I will give you the correct response tomorrow (if I remember to do it).
Nos vemos en Budapest mañana. (see you in Budapest tomorrow).
Hasta Luego.
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 
For eyesight adjustment when you need to abandon ship!
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Clever but wrong
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How about to adjust your eyes to the light so you can see better.
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We’ve been told that it keeps the plane cooler.
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Hmmm. Anxious to see the correct answer.
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Hi Dr. Reiss and Patrice,
As a retired flight attendant for American I can say that when I was flying we didn’t insist on window shades up unless you were seated at an exit row. In case of an emergency you want to be able to instantly see if there’s a fire outside the exit. If there is, you obviously don’t want to open the door or window into the flames.
Very much enjoying your adventures! I get a laugh- out -loud almost every night. Thanks.
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In case of an emergency your eyes will already be acclimated to light or dark.
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Loving your blog! I look forward to reading about your adventures as soon as I get home from school. The airlines ask you to open your window shades for take off because of safety and want the flight attendants and passengers to be able to see outside to see if it is safe to use an emergency exit when an emergency arises. Hope this makes sense. I bet it was great to see Erica at work today and see what she’s up to. I know you and Patrice miss her so much! Thank goodness for face time and skype. Until tomorrow!
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The primary reason is so that the passengers can see their luggage being manhandled to encourage complaints being filed with the airline. I settled on this one from the really morbid one I was going to leave, but ruled against it since you are flying so much. Actually, it has to do with being able to see things better if there is an emergency. You getting to hang with Erica greatly outweighs any difficulties you are having in traveling, so I know your trip there was well worth it. Have fun on the rest of your travels. It was kind of you to improve Patrice’s enjoyment with separate rooms.
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why the airlines ask you to open your window shades during take offs and landings?
In case of an emergency they can control the airplane interior, is what they ansewered me when I asked the same question.
Complain and complain, but a good last supper with Erica and a delightful coffee with your Spanish teacher, of course.
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Seems like a lot of complaining and not funny.
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This is Patrice answering because Robert is in the bathroom sobbing uncontrolably.
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I always love your blogs. No matter how much you complain. It just seems like everything is becoming more complicated. Looking forward to Budapest. This will be my first time there.
Love to both of you.
A
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I agree with A. Continue having fun and keep writing.
XOXO
Stef
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