My Big Fat Polish Trip. Part 6.

Flight back home

Day 10

Zenon took us to the airport and we were the first ones in line at LOT.  Everything went really fast with what we had to do, screening, etc.  Our plane was to leave at 12:30 p.m.  and the roads were so empty we made it to LOT fast and after all the inspections and passports and things that had to be done we found ourselves three hours early so we sat and waited and enjoyed the scenery and all the people going to different countries.

No, I did not get the seats I reserved back in November. They would not say why. So Steve and I sat in Row 30, seats E & F (aisle seats again) just like going to Poland, seats so small and cramped it was VERY VERY uncomfortable for a 9 Hour Flight.
On the way we flew over Greenland and were the Polish people happy to see snow. The LOT Flight was held up for landing due to many planes lined up to taxi for takeoff. What a feeling to be held up in the air waiting 1 1/2 hrs. to land.
We arrived in New York in the p.m. and needed to stay overnight at a hotel and leave there at 4:00 a.m. on June 24 to catch a plane departing at 6:20 a.m. to arrive in Charlotte at 8:30 a.m.

Once on the ground at JFK, so many check points to go thru, customs,  another x-ray (not the strip x-ray). There were 2-3 of them. One was at Customs, after you picked up your luggage at the baggage claim.
Managed to get to the pickup area for the Howard Johnson’s van, made it to the hotel and when I saw this place, I definitely would not recommend it (this particular one) it had to be a knock off of the real one. It was in the seedy part of town (Queens). Never again.

Day 11

At 4:30 a.m. I called a cab and we made it to the airport in 7 minutes.  Then all hell broke loose.
When we arrived at  the U.S. Airways terminal at JFK, there were a couple of  curb side men checking in luggage. When I asked them about wheelchairs, and told them we were on U.S.Air, they told me to go to the desk at the end. They did not offer to help us carry our luggage to the desk, and they saw us struggling with them. The curb service people saw that we needed help and did nothing, I consider them RUDE, OBNOXIOUS, DISCOURTEOUS, and a few other choice words.

Finally made it to the U.S. Airways desk and told the girl there about wheelchairs. She was very kind and understood. Wheelchair Assistance open at 5 a.m. We were on the list for the first one. After that it was sheer HELL. I do not know what the problem with the attendant was, but I have never been mistreated by wheelchair attendants in the past. This one was VERY rude and I have the bruises to prove it. I may even sue the airline.

At home

BOY, am I glad to be home, if I ever decide to go again I will take a straight through flight on another airline.  Now I need to get hold of the LOT and ask a few questions.

Now about the gentlemen I dealt with in Poland, Mr. Michal Marciniak and Mr. Zenon Znamirowski are two of the best researchers/tour guide/translators that anyone could ever ask for. I met Michal Marciniak when I was searching in 2008 for family in Poland, He is the person who found them all. When Michal was not available for our tour he suggested Zenon Znamirowski and all turned out okay.
They are both young men age 38, married and with children. They are loyal to their wives and I am glad for that.I know about Zenon and his eating habits. He eats A LOT. I don’t know how he can put it all away and still stay slim.  I was amazed at how much he could eat at one sitting.
Michal, I do not know much about his habits, but we were treated with respect. They are two great guys. Zenon took Steve under his wing and helped him on the gravel walks and roads also the cobblestone walks.

And before I forget, we did visit the ROYAL CASTLE in Krakow and  CHOPINS ROSE GARDEN. When sightseeing in Poland you will see 95% of the people carrying bottles of water.  The water in the big cities is fine. I am told that Poles, like Americans are just used to drinking bottled water. When one wants to order bottle of water they are asked gas /no gas (carbonated/non-carbonated).
Gasoline (Petrol) is about 11.00 USD to their 4.37 Z’s (zloty, Polish currency) per U.S. gallon.

Josephine Welsch