December 14 - Back home safe and sound

It was an early morning - up before 5:00 a.m. with luggage ready for 5:30 a.m. Because the elevator could only be used for luggage, I had arranged for the night manager to operate the elevator for us at 5:30 a.m. But overnight, the wait staff made the elevator completely inoperable. The poor night manager had to carry our bags down from the 4th and 3rd floors by hand. He insisted on taking one bag in each hand. We tipped him generously for his kind efforts. I don't know how that hotel is going to survive without a working elevator.

No photos for this footprint. Ladies who had to be up before 5:00 a.m. are not very photogenic!

Our dry run last night finding the right platform in the train station paid off. It was a whole lot easier to navigate our way last night without luggage. We took a train out to the airport, checked our bags, cleared security and found a place for breakfast. I had juice, coffee, a croissant with apricot jam and a roll with butter. Much refreshed, we headed to our gate. We swapped out SIM cards in our phones (thanks to Vicky for being the team leader on that process), and then it was time for boarding. Our timing was spot on.

The flight left about almost 90 minutes late, so Mary Ann and I hoped that our husbands would be checking the flight status before coming to the airport. We got into Toronto after a very smooth flight only about 30 minutes late. We split up - Sue to her flight to Ottawa, Theresa to her flight to Victoria, Sheilagh and Vicky to drive back to their home base, and Mary Ann and I to our waiting husbands.

And so, the Seven Sisters Loud and Crazy Christmas Markets Tour has come to an end. It started with the mere germ of an idea two years ago, and we made it happen. We have made memories that we will carry throughout our lifetimes. We hope that you have enjoyed being along with us as we experienced the Christmas Markets traditions of Europe.Läs mer