The Day Our Yoghurt Was Stolen

Our final night in Krakow we stayed in a hostel so we could catch an early train to the airport. We spent our final 10 Zlotys, proud of how well we'd estimated our much of the Polish currency we'd needed. Byrdie started to fill up the shopping basket with junkfood: chocolate, biscuits... I wanted more filling food for the following day when we'd have no money. So the chocolate was replaced with yoghurt to have we our rolled oats.

Next morning, 6am start. Yoghurt had been stolen from the fridge. We should have taken it as an omen for the rest of the day...

Byrdie was very concerned about luggage weight. Got rid of a new bottle of shampoo. Repacked bag so all heavy items were in carry on. When we got to the airport she thought maybe we should throw out our "dinner food", actually a few grams of curry powder, salt etc... I suggested maybe we should check in first and then throw out stuff. (The excess luggage fee is worth more than what we'd throw).

Partially dismantled bikes and plastic bagged them. A few interested people asked about taking bikes on planes. no problems so far, we replied. Still had 40 minutes till check-in.

Check-in. opened wallet compartment where passport is always kept. no passport. panic. where is it? at hostel? Searching through bags. This is the last thing we need after Byrdies passport saga. Found it eventually in cycle shirt pocket.

Lufthansa flight wouldn't take bikes. small plane. not enough room. needs bike reservation. flat out refused. no sympathy. will need to rebook flights.

Back to LOT polish airlines, the airline we had booked tickets online with. To reschedule would cost 385PLN (NZ$240) each. Completely unfair. We carefully researched online to make sure LOT airlines take bicycles. There was no mention of Lufthansa until paid for electronic tickets came through.

LOT ladys completely unsympathetic. With no choice we paid. Suddenly the excess luggage fee seemed the least of our worries... I still wished I had my yoghurt though.

After carefully spending our last money, we had to get more Polish Zlotys, so I could at least contact my friend Judith who was going to meet us at Frankfurt.

Byrdie was stopped on every security check with about 6 metal bike-related items in her carry on. She had to throw out some brake cables, much to her disappointment.

In total we spent about 14hours in airports and 2.5hours on flights that day.