If I had no idea what to do with yesterday, then today was the proverbial “peach”. Sources in “the know” of these kind of situations suggested very much that I do not try to do too much with the day. I should just take it easy. This sounded to me like advice worth taking.
To this end, I enjoyed the complementary breakfast at the hotel I was not paying for. Check-out was 12:00 CEST, so I was able to take my time.
I caught the airport bus to the airport from the other side of the station. The journey was efficient, and took some 20 minutes.
On arrival at the airport, I went to check-in. This was despite the fact that my flight was not until the following day. However, I wanted to confirm three things such that there the probability of any further unpleasant travel-related surprises was reduced somewhat. Namely:
- My boarding pass had a “mashed up” version of my name with my title as part of my first name. This has happened before and is perhaps an indication that many airlines use the same processing software. However, I did not want this to impede my travels.
- The luggage I was carrying was never planned, or intended for air travel. Therefore, I had paid the extra to have a “checked” bag. I wanted to confirm that this was the case, and that my bags were compliant.
- Related to “2”, I wanted to weight my bags to ensure compliency.
Thankfully, two very helpful employees of the airline confirmed that all was well. I headed to the hotel.
The route to the hotel looked simple, but in fact took me over a number of very parched grassy sidings. While I did reach the hotel unchallenged, I noted to find a more obvious route later in the day.
Check in was not until 15:00 CEST, and I had arrived just after 12:00 CEST. I was willing to wait in the bar, with a coffee in the meantime. However, the kindly check in preson told me that my room was ready, and I could go there at once.
After a little orientation, I came back to the recpetion area to find a cup of tea. This I did. I was pleased not to be charged, despite the sign stating a cost in Euros.
I chose to spend the aftenoon playing “Simon the Sorcerer” on my laptop. This is an old game that I have most likely completed before. However, I had no memory of the puzzle solutions. I found this comforting.
In the early evening, I located the easier routse back to the airport terminal. I have not had a meal on the “groundside” area of an airport since the days that my paternal grandparents took me, and my sister as children for meals at Edinburgh Airport. These were very exciting days, as whe would eat chicken nuggets, with chips, and watch the aeroplanes taking off, and landing.
On this occasion, I had dinner at “Wolfgang Puck Kitchen + Bar”. This is an establishment that was opened in 2022, by the eponymously named chef. Some research suggested that he is perhaps an Austrian equivalent to Gordon Ramsey, and has appeared on a number of Television Shows.
The prices perhaps reflected the elevated status of the chef in question, but the food did too. I very much enjoyed my chicken burger, and chips with an Ottakringer beer. I felt very much this was a meal in tribute to some pleasant memories from my childhood. I found this comforting as well.
Back at the hotel, I had a shower. I watched the movie “The Maze Runner”, having very much enjoyed the book a day previous.
I waited for my flight.
