05 Marrakesh

Abdul dropped us at the square as far as the car was permitted.  2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Diesel. The rest of the way was walking to Riad Misria. We were met at the square and guided to the hotel.  After checking in, we rested for a few hours, knowing that dinner was on the other side of our afternoon nap.

04 Marrakesh

We arrived at the airport in Marrakesh.  It took several attempts at an ATM to get some cash.  The exchange rate is roughly 10:1 Moroccan Dirham to US Dollar.  Plus a 5% fee.

2000 MAD = 218 USD.

Since we arrived way early, we needed to check on our prearranged transportation to the hotel.  Annie emailed the hotel to ask if the transport was available now to collect us.  Within 25 minutes we were greeted at the airport and driven to Riad Misria.  Thanks Abdul.

Marrakech as we approach the airport

Outdoor Jetway

Fun walk from the Plane to the Terminal in Marrakech

Escort through the Medina to Riad Misra.

This way to Riad Misra.

Arriving at Rian Misra.

WC in the "lobby" of Riad Misra.

Courtyard at Riad Misra.

03 Good Fortune in Madrid

We arrived early in Madrid, three hours early, 9:20am local time.  This gives us seven hours before our departure to Marrakesh at 16:20.  We headed to the H Terminal/Gates.

There is an earlier flight departing at 10:10.

This is the only earlier flight.  This one, or wait for seven hours.

After deplaning and a 20 minute journey through the airport - train, elevator, walking, escalator, moving walkway, security check point and two passport check points - we arrived at gate H2. 

This was the 10:10 Iberia departure to Marrakesh.  It was now 10:08, boarding was almost complete for this flight. Annie stepped up to the counter and talked to the gate agent, asking if we could please get on the 10:10 flight. The agent said that our tickets would not allow the change, no way, sorry.

The agent turned away to attend to the last boarding passengers.  As I started to walk away from
the counter, Annie turned to me and said, "I'm not done yet." 🤨

3 minutes later, we were boarding the plane, headed to some awesome exit row seats.  No room in the overhead bins for our bags, so we had to check them.

No problem.

Wow!  We're off!  7 hours early!

02 JFK to Madrid, direct

We're at JFK now. 

Timeline:  we were at Newark.  We left the gate and walked out past security, downstairs to the BA ticket counter and Judy was waiting for us.  She issued tickets (not boarding passes) for our new flight inltinerary. We were issued two vouchers to cover the taxi ride to JFK, about $80.  Twas a mere one hour and 15 min to go 32 miles.  Now ticketed on the direct Iberia flight into Madrid,  leaving at 9:00pm.

We arrived to JFK, terminal 7 at 7:00pm. We waited in line at the Iberia counter for about 25 min.  Our turn. Boom, boarding passes, through security at terminal 7, off to gate 4.  We had some fruit, snacks and mini pies to look forward to.

Group 4

Charging

Charging

Boarding

01 Flight Cancelled!

We got to Newark went thru Security.  No problem.  Right on time.  No issues driving from Baltimore.  Abby's school was cancelled today, due to the poor weather this morning. 

This eased some pressure, getting out of town a bit earlier then if we had to collect Abby at school.

Waiting at gate for departure when gate agent asks Chris if he is aware his continuing flight from London has been cancelled. Of course we know that, that's why we are on this earlier flight because we rebooked when our 2nd leg was cancelled...Nope, this is a NEW cancellation! (French Transportation workers are on strike, lots of cancellations!)

We are now in a TAXI (courtesy of British Air) on our way to JFK from Newark. On a 9:30 flight direct to Madrid. Yay..!🙄

33 miles, lots of traffic.  1 hour 17 minutes.

Thanks to Nancy (red) at the gate for helping us.!

Taxi Ride from Newark to JFK