Boston - 24 day round trip complete!

Boston Harbor was beautiful and clear. We had set the alarm for six but by 5:30 we were both up, on the balcony watching us sail past the Fort Warren. It feels good to be truly home and on the way. We were assigned an eight-a.m. departure for the transfer bus to the airport. We were where we needed to be and of course Deb found us again and we visited. She would be on the ship much later as she was not flying home today. Carol had a 10:30 am flight. Luckily the airport is visible from the ship across a narrow spit of water. About a ten-minute drive. So, we agreed to go together as I could not get a later transfer anyway when I tried. Both must go at whichever is the earlier time! My flight was at 3:10! A couple hundred people were lined up with their luggage to 'self-assist' and would mostly be leaving before us. BUT no ship clearance came through! Shades of embarkation day. we waited and people get antsy. I needed to use the rest room and tried to cut through the line to get to the door and heard lots of don't cut in front of us or go to the back of the line. Ridiculous. We saw Rita and I heard a nice story. She had told knitting group leader that Deb was so nice to introduce her to nice people and be included in the group. Rita was shy and had not interacted with many people even in the knitters’ club. I am glad we helped her enjoy the cruise. It never hurts to be kind and inclusive. And we waited and people were getting worried about making their flights on time. Finally, we were released about 9:15! We were in Group 1. We started to leave and then they called the 8:30 people and the 9 o’clock folks and even 9:30! Carol needed to get to Logan, so we made found our bags as quickly as possible and made our way out to the waiting busses. Back on the same narrow sidewalk we started on only this time there was chaos! Busses had arrived and we had stickers to indicate which airline we were heading to. We were A. Luckily the first of the terminals or at least the first entrances. The problem was that so many people with later flights were now ahead of us. There were also those with tours on the way to the airport and busses for them. As each bus filled and left people spilled into the parking spaces. Porters came with racks of luggage and took their people to the head of the line. The man in front of me was loudly demanding that he keep his first place in the line. A port agent told us all to stand against the wall and he loudly proclaimed that he was not a criminal and was not standing against any wall. That agent gave up. A nice young male agent came and tried to sort it out but now there was no line just a mass of people trying to get to the right bus to get to the airport on time. The busses for Delta were in the last spaces, they would have been first when they pulled in but as more busses and more people came it was harder and harder to get through. I told Carol go do the best you can, and I will see you in October. Then were heard all the Delta busses had left and we had to wait for them to come back. By now the young man gave up as the entertainers joined the fray because they had special access to the same busses as we all did. A city bus line, free shuttle showed up and a very nice young lady named Kayla, just arriving with the bus and not knowing what was going on, said the free bus was there. Carol, never loud or pushy said she had to be to the airport for a 10:15 flight, The first calm words spoken. Kayla moved us both to the shuttle. I told Carol go ahead and Kayla said no, we should stay together. And so, we did. Thank you, Kayla. Carol got very quickly through security and so did I. She texted me she was at Gate 20, and I was heading to 19. Her flight was, you guessed it, delayed. So, we sat together for awhile and did what travelers do. Carol said when we got home, we had to seriously look for tours for the next trip as they were being sold out. So, using my trusty Galaxy 21 we browsed Holy Land tours and yep. Mostly sold out. I knew I hoped to get to Bethlehem but there was only one space left. Carol said book it and she would wait list it. As I worked my way through the not too friendly app, I booked it and it let me book Carol too. So, Jerusalem √ Carol left not too late but late enough that the typical Orlando four 0’clock storms hit. She was diverted to West Palm where she sat until 10:30 p.m.! Then flew to Orlando and spent the night at the airport hotel. Her friend from Cocoa Beach picked her up the next morning and was home in time for lunch! My flight left on time, arrived 20 minutes early. Christine picked me up and at her house I collected my car and Wonton Noodle and was home about 7:30. It was a long, very long, very frustrating day. My mail was waiting on the counter but takes no time to sort through. Normally I unpack and start laundry but since my machine broke the day before I left, I only unpacked my personal item. I put my passport away until October, took a hot bath and read myself to sleep! Two questions roll around in both our brains: Will we sail Holland again? The itinerary and the price would both have to be exceptional. Too much nickel and diming and not enough variety of activity. Too much nickel and diming and not enough activities we are interested in. Would we sail out of Boston again or return there? I for one don’t care if I ever see any part of it again ever!