Goodbye Zagreb, Hello Rome! (via Munich)

The day was finally here.

Mum had her last cigarette on the balcony in the morning with her cuppa, packed and ready to go. All that was left was to get to the airport and check-in Mum and Dubravka so that they could sit next to each other on the flight to Rome (via Munich)

Tears & Smiles

To cut a long story short, weeks before I had moved Hell & High Water to get both Mum & Dubravka on the same flight to Rome (via Munich) using up "free" tickets via Miles&More points for Mum for her flight to Rome (one-way) and the same for Dubravkas ticket (return to Zagreb) All in all it was a success, costing me only $400AUD or so in airport taxes, fuel surcharges and booking fees.

But it was worth it!

By the time we all found each other at the airport Dubravka was still nervous about how they were going to find their way into Rome from the airport, what they would do if they couldnt find the train to Rome, what they would do if they couldnt find their hotel, if their bags didnt arrive, if they had to take a taxi, if they missed the connecting flight in Munich, if they got lost in Rome, if they had their things stolen, if they missed their flights back, if they.. .. you get the picture.

Coffees drunk & boarding time fast approaching, it was time for tears.

We all couldnt hold back the tears as I first started with my goodbyes and hugs, which quickly caught on amongst Dubravka, Josko and Ana until we were all a blubbering meess in the middle of Zurich Airport.. oh its good to cry!

Mum thanked us all for the wonderful time she had and the lovely experiences, she promised to take lots of photos in Rome for us and take care of Dubravka, then.. they were gone. Through passport control and onto boarding.

Upstairs in the gallery Josko, Ana and I nestled in to watch them board the plane and the flight to take off. We werent disappointed!

As the bus pulled up to the plane we could clearly see Mum & Dubravka get out, wait and then board. The plane slowly taxied to the end fo the runway, stopped for a few moments and then turned and started its way down the runway.

As it pulled up into the air I couldnt help but think what was happening inside, was Dubravka shreiking her head off? Was Mums armed pinced with Dubravkas fingers curled around her? Or had Dubravka simply passed out?

It was a great trip and it was wonderful seeing Mum so happy and free, enjoying herself being herself with no restrictions or expectation.

Come back and see again soon Mum!! We love & miss you!!