Flying from a new airport can be just as exciting as taking a trip. I have never flown from Bristol Airport before and actually trying to get there is a journey in itself. The roads from my home to the airport are basically country lanes, which is fine in the daytime, but I was not looking forward to the return journey. That aside, with the witchcraft of Apple Maps I arrived at the airport. I had paid to park in the Silver Zone and I had been reassured by people that it is all very clearly marked up and it was. In fact, it was seamless.
I parked my car, gave them my keys and made my way to the airport. I self checked in, dumped my case and made my way to Security. It always amazes me, no matter how much people are being told no liquids, coats and belts off, that people just rock up and then looked so surprised when requested to remove their shoes, belts and where are your small bottles of liquids!
Not me, I am taking coat off as I am walking to Security. All jewellery is already in the bags with the liquids, phone is ready to go in the crate. I did smile. There was a security person there who was obviously having a bad day and was not feeling the love of having to continuously repeat herself saying empty pockets, all electrical in the crate. She was so officious and yet people (and I have to say in my age bracket - the real one not 29-35) still did not do this. The security woman's patience was rapidly wearing very thing. People can be very stupid at times.
Walked through to the duty free and of course I had to have something (some Chanel shower wash to match my perfume). I had pre-ordered a gift for someone at Christmas and that was all ready for me. I then decided to go for a cuppa and sat there and watched the world go by. Bristol is a very white airport. In fact, I don't think I have ever been in an airport that had no diversity whatsoever! I did see five people of colour; three of which were employees. The South West is a very white world - even the airport.
No issues with the flight, got my seat and I am still amazed that I have so much room now and also there is such a lot of seat belt leftover when I have put it on. It really is a wonderful feeling. The flight was noisy. There were a crowd of people at the front of the plane (again older to know better) who were so loud. I fell asleep. I have done this a couple of times now when I have flown. Off the plane, and through passport control which I still get very angry about having to go through other passport lane and not European. Then straight for a wee and then my suitcase was there waiting for me. Again seamless.
Thanks to the app City Mapper I knew I had to get the 300 bus that would take me straight to town. Whilst waiting for the bus a woman come up to me who was Polish but lived in Newport, Wales. She was going home for the weekend and did not know what bus to catch. We started chatting and the rest is history - I made a new friend :)
Whilst we were waiting for the bus a group of blokes come up and asked in broken English if this was where they could catch a bus to town. I heard others talk and it was obvious they were French. I said I could speak a bit of French so helped them, using my limited French, whilst standing at a bus stop in Poland with a Polish woman. This is why I love to travel. It levels us all and you get to meet so many wonderful people.
The bus journey was busy and Agnes (the Polish woman) and I had to get off at the same stop. I found where she needed to get her next bus to the train station and we swapped details on FaceBook. She did say to me that I was a visitor in her country and she should be helping me and not the other way around, but I told it was fine and I would find my apartment. And so I did, it was quite easy actually. I now put one Air Bud in my ear whilst my phone is in my pocket then I can listen to directions.
My little apartment was small but perfect. It had all that I needed. I had taken my dinner with me, so had that then went out to explore and get my food. Needless to say, I got lost. I could not find the supermarket that my host had said was nearby. I found a small shop which turned out to have branches all over Krakow, purchased what I needed then went for a wander and ended up in the square in the Old Town. It was beautiful. I found another shop that looked like Selfridges Food Hall and I thought this is going to be expensive. Went in and got some more bits and spent the grand sum of £3.00. Poland is cheap. Very cheap!
By now I was tired. It had been a long day so I made my way back to my little apartment where I had a lovely warm shower and unpacked my suitcase.
The main door to my little apartment. This has a key lock then once you go in there are so many flats surrounding a courtyard. All very secure and safe.
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