Sunday, 1. August 2021
പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചു: 02.08.2021
I will certainly never fly to Greece again...
.... I hear a young woman in the queue behind me.But one after the other:
6:30 a.m. - Get up, get dressed and wait outside with bag and baggage.
6:50 a.m. - A minibus pulls up and a young, pretty woman gets out. Her name is Aria and she is my chauffeuse. I am the only one to Rethymnon. She almost gets a hernia with my big suitcase. I warned her that it was very heavy..... And yet she was surprised that it was really so heavy. smile
7:50 am - we stop at a bakery and I come, and this will be the best part of this whole day, actually another delicious bougatsa for breakfast! YAMMMMMY.
8:00 AM - I get picked up by another minibus. This one goes from hotel to hotel and collects those leaving.On the way, one of my two zipper handles of my backpack breaks off. There where the big compartment with the laptop is inside. So there where the handles are turned on! Bingo! But, I do have a second handle. It's a bit awkward, but at least I can still open/close the backpack and hang it on my back!
9:30 - Arrival at the airport.
9.31 o'clock - pure chaos! It is almost impossible to get into the building. Everyone is standing around and doesn't know in which direction to go. People are running in all directions. Suitcases everywhere. Children either in the car or on foot being pushed through the crowd. Whew.The first thing I do is follow the sign 'pack luggage'. I have the impression that I cannot trust the zipper of my big suitcase. And I definitely don't want to have to gather all my stuff somewhere! 8 Euro costs the wrapping in plastic foil. No matter. Now nothing can happen.Then I see on the display board as the last flight that is listed, the flight at 11.25 o'clock. Okay.... and mine goes at 13.30. Alos 2 hours wait until the checkin begins. Well bravo. First, I stand somewhere against the wall to avoid getting in anyone's way. Pha! Nice try. After the second suitcase is pulled over my feet, I take flight to the right part of the airport. There are the stores and bars. And also a handful of seats. Yes, a handful. I stand alos for 1.5 hours the feet in the belly. In between I ask my neighbors if they also watch my luggage. I have to go to the toilet and buy water. Everything okay. So far. Again and again I go to the display board to check when the Swiss flight finally appears.
11:15 - finally the flight to Zurich appears on the boards. I stand optimal, because the counter 13 is just a few meters next door. The check-in counter opens. Immediately a long queue of passengers forms. I have just caught the right moment and am in position 7, i.e. very far in front. To the left is the queue for business guests. There are mainly families with a lot of luggage and strollers and children......
12:15 - I'm still waiting. Position 5! And the worst thing about it all is the heat. It's 31 degrees and neither a fan nor an air conditioner can help. People very close together, all wearing masks, all sweating, all starting to get annoyed because it does not go forward.... Why? Well, it wasn't really that obvious. Later I discovered that for the two queues only 1 Gepäckbanb was available! This makes already times everything very slowly. In addition, the families had a problem with the documents. And instead of taking the family aside and processing the others, everyone had to wait and wait and wait. While waiting in line, the conversation turned to the missing documents. From the couple in front of me, I learned that everyone entering Switzerland has to fill out a form. Oops. I did not know anything about this. And believe me, not only I did not know about it! They then gave me the link and so I could fill out the form comfortably. Because before us still nothing went.....The mood became worse and worse. The young woman, from whom my title quote comes, became more and more annoyed. When people sneaked into the front of the queue (because they already had tickets and only had to check in their luggage) she was completely upset. Her friend tried to calm her down. It wouldn't do any good and would only be a waste of energy. But she, attacked him and meant he should not take such idiots also still in protection! All around, everyone who had a fan started waving cold air at each other. Sweat was running down my back and into my eyes. Very unpleasant and on top of everything, I was also in a state of flush. Partly I had to really concentrate not to collapse! Not everyone was so lucky. An old woman collapsed and had to be looked after. Since the queue has really moved for 1 hour no centimeter and from behind all have started to grumble and press, it was also not really more pleasant in front. If this continues, our flight will not leave for another 4 hours or so!!!I've been through a few things before, but this mess is unbelievable! We were neither informed whichahlb it did not go forward and it did not occur to anyone to possibly bring us water or something.
12:55 - I made it! First a back and forth with another airport employee in Greek and I only understood 'standby'. Huh, what? But then everything was apparently fine after all. The BAG form, show the Covid test and that was it. My declared excess baggage was not an issue. So I assume she saw this in the system and therefore did not react to the 28 instead of 23 kilos! I do not care. The main thing is that the luggage then really arrives in Zurich in this chaos!1.5 hours from position 7 to position 1! And now you can only try to imagine how it is to be in the back of the queue.Now it's time to go to the gates. Then the security checks. These were not taken very exactly. Also good. And bang! The second handle of my zipper is also gone. So I can't close my backpack and I can't put it on. Crap! Now quickly look if I can find a new one in the duty free. Yes, it has. From 50 Euro upwards. Super. Well then. Buy, repack, dispose of old and finally go to the gate. Also there talk the again something of 'standby of my flight and radioed with a colleague! Hey, if I don't have a seat on this plane now, then I'm definitely going crazy too! And again, everything seems to be okay.
13:05 - Transfer to the Edelweiss plane on the runway. Boarding and moving into my super seat. I sat in the first row after business class. There where the legroom is so extremely large. Juhui. At least a good seat. So far the plane is almost empty.... but at least air-conditioned and so I could cool down a bit and get down.
15:05 - we take off with 327 passengers! Instead of 1:30 pm. Okay, this is going to be a long day.
17:00 - After just under 3 hours, minus 1 hour time difference landing in 18 degree cool, wet Zurich. Run to the baggage carousel and wait. With a lot of luck I can make my train to Sempach at 17:38. Thinking! My suitcase was one of the last!
17:50 - through customs and to the tracks. The elevators were almost all broken and with my stuff on the escalator was not possible. So find an elevator, get a slot there (I wasn't the only one with a lot of luggage) and down to track 4.
18:15 - train to Lucerne. Can't this go any faster! I want to go home.
19:25 h - Arrival Lucerne. Coop shopping (left luggage outside at security).
19:45 - Train to Sempach.
20:02 - Arrival at home. Ringing neighbors' doorbells (because I couldn't find my key anymore....). Open apartment door: uff, you can cut the heat with a knife. Nix like open window! Radio. Music must be now. Huh? Does not work. No power. Stove? No power. Bingo. I have no electricity in my apartment! Shit!Since Judith had written me something about power problems and outside gates, I knew it had to be related. Turn everything off in the fuse box and turn it back on. Juhui. It works. At least that.
Unpack, sort laundry, start washing, shower.... I am so tired and yet so psyched. This shitty day has challenged me and made me.
Oh yes: Happy 1st August dear Swiss!
.... I hear a young woman in the queue behind me.But one after the other:
6:30 a.m. - Get up, get dressed and wait outside with bag and baggage.
6:50 a.m. - A minibus pulls up and a young, pretty woman gets out. Her name is Aria and she is my chauffeuse. I am the only one to Rethymnon. She almost gets a hernia with my big suitcase. I warned her that it was very heavy..... And yet she was surprised that it was really so heavy. smile
7:50 am - we stop at a bakery and I come, and this will be the best part of this whole day, actually another delicious bougatsa for breakfast! YAMMMMMY.
8:00 AM - I get picked up by another minibus. This one goes from hotel to hotel and collects those leaving.On the way, one of my two zipper handles of my backpack breaks off. There where the big compartment with the laptop is inside. So there where the handles are turned on! Bingo! But, I do have a second handle. It's a bit awkward, but at least I can still open/close the backpack and hang it on my back!
9:30 - Arrival at the airport.
9.31 o'clock - pure chaos! It is almost impossible to get into the building. Everyone is standing around and doesn't know in which direction to go. People are running in all directions. Suitcases everywhere. Children either in the car or on foot being pushed through the crowd. Whew.The first thing I do is follow the sign 'pack luggage'. I have the impression that I cannot trust the zipper of my big suitcase. And I definitely don't want to have to gather all my stuff somewhere! 8 Euro costs the wrapping in plastic foil. No matter. Now nothing can happen.Then I see on the display board as the last flight that is listed, the flight at 11.25 o'clock. Okay.... and mine goes at 13.30. Alos 2 hours wait until the checkin begins. Well bravo. First, I stand somewhere against the wall to avoid getting in anyone's way. Pha! Nice try. After the second suitcase is pulled over my feet, I take flight to the right part of the airport. There are the stores and bars. And also a handful of seats. Yes, a handful. I stand alos for 1.5 hours the feet in the belly. In between I ask my neighbors if they also watch my luggage. I have to go to the toilet and buy water. Everything okay. So far. Again and again I go to the display board to check when the Swiss flight finally appears.
11:15 - finally the flight to Zurich appears on the boards. I stand optimal, because the counter 13 is just a few meters next door. The check-in counter opens. Immediately a long queue of passengers forms. I have just caught the right moment and am in position 7, i.e. very far in front. To the left is the queue for business guests. There are mainly families with a lot of luggage and strollers and children......
12:15 - I'm still waiting. Position 5! And the worst thing about it all is the heat. It's 31 degrees and neither a fan nor an air conditioner can help. People very close together, all wearing masks, all sweating, all starting to get annoyed because it does not go forward.... Why? Well, it wasn't really that obvious. Later I discovered that for the two queues only 1 Gepäckbanb was available! This makes already times everything very slowly. In addition, the families had a problem with the documents. And instead of taking the family aside and processing the others, everyone had to wait and wait and wait. While waiting in line, the conversation turned to the missing documents. From the couple in front of me, I learned that everyone entering Switzerland has to fill out a form. Oops. I did not know anything about this. And believe me, not only I did not know about it! They then gave me the link and so I could fill out the form comfortably. Because before us still nothing went.....The mood became worse and worse. The young woman, from whom my title quote comes, became more and more annoyed. When people sneaked into the front of the queue (because they already had tickets and only had to check in their luggage) she was completely upset. Her friend tried to calm her down. It wouldn't do any good and would only be a waste of energy. But she, attacked him and meant he should not take such idiots also still in protection! All around, everyone who had a fan started waving cold air at each other. Sweat was running down my back and into my eyes. Very unpleasant and on top of everything, I was also in a state of flush. Partly I had to really concentrate not to collapse! Not everyone was so lucky. An old woman collapsed and had to be looked after. Since the queue has really moved for 1 hour no centimeter and from behind all have started to grumble and press, it was also not really more pleasant in front. If this continues, our flight will not leave for another 4 hours or so!!!I've been through a few things before, but this mess is unbelievable! We were neither informed whichahlb it did not go forward and it did not occur to anyone to possibly bring us water or something.
12:55 - I made it! First a back and forth with another airport employee in Greek and I only understood 'standby'. Huh, what? But then everything was apparently fine after all. The BAG form, show the Covid test and that was it. My declared excess baggage was not an issue. So I assume she saw this in the system and therefore did not react to the 28 instead of 23 kilos! I do not care. The main thing is that the luggage then really arrives in Zurich in this chaos!1.5 hours from position 7 to position 1! And now you can only try to imagine how it is to be in the back of the queue.Now it's time to go to the gates. Then the security checks. These were not taken very exactly. Also good. And bang! The second handle of my zipper is also gone. So I can't close my backpack and I can't put it on. Crap! Now quickly look if I can find a new one in the duty free. Yes, it has. From 50 Euro upwards. Super. Well then. Buy, repack, dispose of old and finally go to the gate. Also there talk the again something of 'standby of my flight and radioed with a colleague! Hey, if I don't have a seat on this plane now, then I'm definitely going crazy too! And again, everything seems to be okay.
13:05 - Transfer to the Edelweiss plane on the runway. Boarding and moving into my super seat. I sat in the first row after business class. There where the legroom is so extremely large. Juhui. At least a good seat. So far the plane is almost empty.... but at least air-conditioned and so I could cool down a bit and get down.
15:05 - we take off with 327 passengers! Instead of 1:30 pm. Okay, this is going to be a long day.
17:00 - After just under 3 hours, minus 1 hour time difference landing in 18 degree cool, wet Zurich. Run to the baggage carousel and wait. With a lot of luck I can make my train to Sempach at 17:38. Thinking! My suitcase was one of the last!
17:50 - through customs and to the tracks. The elevators were almost all broken and with my stuff on the escalator was not possible. So find an elevator, get a slot there (I wasn't the only one with a lot of luggage) and down to track 4.
18:15 - train to Lucerne. Can't this go any faster! I want to go home.
19:25 h - Arrival Lucerne. Coop shopping (left luggage outside at security).
19:45 - Train to Sempach.
20:02 - Arrival at home. Ringing neighbors' doorbells (because I couldn't find my key anymore....). Open apartment door: uff, you can cut the heat with a knife. Nix like open window! Radio. Music must be now. Huh? Does not work. No power. Stove? No power. Bingo. I have no electricity in my apartment! Shit!Since Judith had written me something about power problems and outside gates, I knew it had to be related. Turn everything off in the fuse box and turn it back on. Juhui. It works. At least that.
Unpack, sort laundry, start washing, shower.... I am so tired and yet so psyched. This shitty day has challenged me and made me.
Oh yes: Happy 1st August dear Swiss!
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