The alarm rang at 4.45 a.m., 5.15 a.m. Astrid altruisticly drove us to the train station before work, from where we took the train to Schiphol Airport. We had quite a lot of luggage (3 travel bags, 2 carry-on backpacks, a hoof-heavy, bulky airplane child seat and 2 small children), but somehow everything found its way both on and off the train and to the check-in counter. Check-in went very well, as did the security checks, and before you know it we were on a United Airlines plane to New York. It turned out to be easier than expected. The food was good and the children were almost like our hand luggage - some other passengers said: you have incredibly well-behaved children đ
In New York we had 3 hours to change trains, which was possible but can be tight. In advance we had to fill out such a great ESTA application even though we only had a transit flight (what a joke and pointless waste of time and money but somehow everyone who flies through, over or under the USA has to do that). In New York we had to pick up our luggage and check in again. Cleverly, you had to pay for the luggage trolleys here, but we didn't have any dollars, and my credit cards inexplicably didn't work. Begging for help from loitering employees was next to impossible, but somehow worked out in the end when I started walking with almost half of our luggage. Less than 200 m later, the luggage was thrown listlessly onto a belt and drove away. We just kept walking and no one was interested in us or our bags. What's the whole fuss for? Well, maybe some things just can't be explained logically. Then again through the security check, body scanner, etc. All hand luggage was meticulously examined until we were at the gate on time.
From here we went to Panama in a bit more than 5 hours, where we unfortunately had to stay for about 20 hours. The flight was smooth again, both outside and inside the plane. In Panama they said we had to pick up our luggage again. We actually thought it would be checked, but apparently that wasn't the case. Here again the same problem with the trolleys. Very strange with the credit card although it was activated for the respective countries. It was around 7pm and our plan was to shuttle from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, check the luggage back in, go through security and off to a lounge. Quiet, buffet, sleep a few hours.
Nice idea, but no. We left the airport for the shuttle bus and I was almost overwhelmed...33°C and at least 90% humidity. Arriving at Terminal 2 everything was like Resident Evil. Nobody there, dead silence, only the light was on. We found a Copa Airlines employee and explained our situation to him. He then said that we couldn't leave our luggage because our flight isn't until the next day. Discussing didn't help, but we got the tip that there was a cheap hostel nearby where we could get a good night's sleep.
Quickly with the taxi to the hostel, to the room and lie down - but just in my wishes. Our incredibly sweet and calm children realised that they no longer had to sit on the plane. So they had to play - logically. And all night long. So we took turns, one slept a bit, the other watched with one eye. The next day the hostel owner brought us back to the airport with a minibus and we were able to hand in our luggage, through security and to the gate to catch our last flight to Montevideo, as we had done twice on the trip. Lo and behold, on this flight both children and mum slept almost the whole time. On the other two flights they had only an extended afternoon nap. With nasty suspicions, namely that we arrive in Montevideo at half past one at night, are picked up, drive to our holiday home and the children "slept well". I'll anticipate it - fortunately for everyone involved, it wasn't like that đ
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