Lisbon We've Arrived

An Airport, A Dog and A Very Patient Driver

In yesterday’s post, we recounted our last 10 days in the US. Permit me to say that our departure experience, which began at Miami International Airport, was a pleasant surprise. While domestic terminals during a holiday may have been fuller than expected during a pandemic, the international terminal was not!

They allowed us to relax with Onix in the near-empty check-in area until two hours before our flight. They then had TSA examine her crate for stuff one shouldn’t put in a dog crate and whisked her out of sight. We walked through security as if, and we were, the only people in line. Our flight, which was only about 20% full, was uneventful.

We will note that the Premium Economy seating on TAP is sub-par. Perhaps we were spoiled by Eva or Cathay…but it was not to our exacting standards. Neither the seat nor the food seemed “upgraded”. The one benefit was that it included 3 checked bags per ticket, rather than 2. A good thing when you are moving everything by plane.

Lisbon Airport…First Impressions

At approximately 0800 local time we arrived in Lisbon. We were corralled five across, shoulder to shoulder, butt to torso with about 250 passengers from other arriving flights to have our Covid test results reviewed by security officers. Of course, this had been done already at the check-in counter, then as we boarded the flight. And in those two cases, we stood a respectful distance from anyone else. Not now! It reminded me of the miracle of healing that I used to witness when I flew into Palm Beach International and the 28 pink-hairs, that required wheel-chairs and early boarding in Philly, popped out of their seats, unassisted, and rushed down the aisle upon arrival.

After 30 minutes of waiting to get through the Covid test review petri dish, we then entered the “Disney line” known as passport control.

Here most people heeded the clearly marked instructions and after 45 minutes we headed to baggage claim.

The Point of the Story

By this time I suspect you have either nodded off, closed your browser, or wondered why I am explaining how one moves through an airport. Okay, this is where the real story begins. Denise began to gather the bags, while I went in search of Onix. I was directed to wait at a door and someone would deliver her to me.

I waited and waited. After 10 minutes of what seemed like sheer agony, I asked another airport attendant. He inquired as to our flight number. “TAP215”, I responded.

“Oh, that flight landed more than 2 hours ago. She is probably in lost and found. Look there.” My eyes followed his outstretched arm to the corner. There a sign suggested lost and found was around the corner. I found her, sitting quietly in her crate in the middle of an empty hall.

Our reunion was joyous! There she was, excited to see us and having already forgiven us for putting her through this ordeal.

The Vet

We had only one final hurdle…the vet. Portugal requires you to have your pet checked by a veterinarian in the airport before s/he can leave the airport. His office was conveniently located right next to the baggage carousels for international flights. Onix and I began our 90-minute wait in line. I had gone to the restroom sometime in the past 12 hours…she had not.

After three passengers and their pets, and 90 minutes, we entered his office. He never looked at Onix. He looked at the 7 notarised pages from the USDA (5 of which had only boilerplate language). Back and forth he went. Again and again. “That will be 40Euros,” he explained. I gladly gave him my card. At last, we would be able to leave. NOPE!

“You need a receipt, come with me.” Onix and I followed him to an interior office where the real fun began. He pulled out his cellphone and scrolled through his photos highlighting all the places in Portugal we should visit. “In Porto, you should eat here.” “In the Doura Valley make sure you stay at this hotel.” “I took my son to this wonderful castle in Sintra.” “Last year a lesbian couple, like you and your wife, who arrived from the states…They went with my family to the Algarve. Let me show you the wonderful AirBNB we rented.”

I didn’t say anything. Partly because I was stunned. Partly because I didn’t want to encourage him. Finally, after 20 minutes, I explained we had a driver waiting for us. Since we had not been in touch with him yet, I feared he might leave. He lent me his phone to call him. He said we would be done in 5 minutes. It took 10.

The Driver

Our final hurdle was moving our 4 luggage trollies and Onix to customs. A gentleman

waiting with his wife and dog behind us, offered his assistance. But he was only permitted to take us so far. We struggled, each with one cart in front and one behind, to ascend the ramp to customs. There, two gentlemen looked at the receipt the vet had provided and welcomed us to Portugal.

Finally, we were able to exit to find Victor (our driver) waiting for us. [Note: we located Victor through RTP. We needed a large van and Victor has one.] Victor did not display any of the emotions I would have had I just waited 4 hours! He didn’t even scream when he paid the 15Euro parking fee.

When he finished unloading our bags at Rua das Orquidea, 72A he reminded me his fee was 50Euros. We gave him 90…everything we had…and thanked him for his kindness. Victor will be moving us to our next apartment in just a few weeks.