It's The Journey For Me

loving the layover and traveling with little kids. Find PORTUGAL: Porto + Lisbon + Lagos links HERE.

The adrenaline rush is automatic and I am using my brain in a heightened capacity while navigating to the elusive terminal HJK unicorn gate 56Z. Why are the signs suddenly missing for this terminal? Which way is that arrow actually pointing? My kids seem to be fine, encouraging even. Enjoying themselves, I think. So, am I the type of traveler that is ok about sprinting through Madrid-Barajas (Europe’s second largest in physical size, after Charles de Gaulle) to make my connecting flight? Yes. Yes I am. I am not pessimistic, not by nature, hardly ever, but we did book an international flight with a 55 minute layover. Once we’ve actually deplaned it is down to about 40. Let’s do this.

Standing in a passport control maze we are trying to crystal ball our way into the fastest moving line. There is a slow dose of worry but we are smiling. Once passport control is conquered we are onto the security portion of the adventure. With kids this goes a little something like: make sure everything that was hastily thrown into the stroller — like the stroller travel bag itself, the random water bottle, the attached car seat, is cleared out and ready for TSA conveyor belt takeoff. An older couple tries to push past us as they are gasping about missing their next flight. I kindly inform them we are all in this together but feel as though my body language conveys — don’t cut my 1.5 year old in line, please. Belongings are collected and it’s eyes on the prize, stroller racing style. We shuffle into a spot on the Madrid Barajas Airport People Mover (this is the official name for the airport transit system) and are swiftly whisked 2 kilometers away to our new terminal.

I recall how back on the jetway just after deplaning Bob was super fast putting the stroller together. (Wheels, adapters, and then the seats, it can be a whole thing!) When every second counts, thankfully, on this connection the jetway workers had gate checked items ready and waiting. That is not always the case. On the return connection (2 hours and 20 minutes - a more manageable timeframe) we had to wait for awhile and the kids turned the jetway into a playground.

These windows are safe to climb, right? The family standing with us was in a rushed situation and eventually gave up waiting on their stroller all together. We wished them well — I hope they made their connection!

Navigating a massive airport, and with young kids, is a kind of brain activity that is unlike what your actual job or managing a household asks of you. Therefore, I am calling the layover fun! It is the journey for me. It is loving travel for the actual act of traveling. And it is teaching my kids to love it, too.

As a family we were working towards a common goal in reaching our connecting flight. And isn’t that just a little bit exciting? The Layover: You certainly don’t have to love it but enjoying it on some level helps the travel experience heaps.

Yes, we made it! Boston to Porto is perhaps a should-be-direct flight and yet it was exponentially cheaper to fly through Madrid and an hour back to Porto. Travel woes come and travel woes go. If you dislike the process of getting to your destination it makes it a heck of a lot harder. If you’re dreading a layover — if you’re dreading a layover with little ones — don’t! It is going to be fun. I promise. You’re not going to miss your flight, manifest that!

No pun was initially intended. This is good stuff you guys. Here we go to Portugal!

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On the blog lately featuring our trip (which was in September):

Dinners in Old Town | Lagos — there is an excellent video in this post of Bob showing you how to eat a perceves. Which is a barnacle. Our dinner experience at Arribale was a highlight as well.

Praia de Dona Ana | Lagos — this beach and Restaurante Marisol are so dreamy.

Dusk @ Dona Ana — exploring the sea stacks cast in the light of golden hour.

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Older blog posts from this trip:

Porto — We loved exploring this riverfront city in northwest Portugal known for its Azulejo tiled churches and port wine cellars. From our home base in the Bonfim neighborhood to crossing the Douro River into Gaia — I have lots of photos! Plus, more tips for travelling with little kids, such as what to consider when booking accommodations and what to pack in their carry-on.

Nazaré — On our drive from Porto to Lisbon we stopped to check out the mighty waves (even though it is the off season) and eat cockles. Nazare is a lively coastal town with multiple beaches to explore.

Lisbon — The boys had a blast at Castello de Sao Jorge and riding the Remodelado Trams. Ryder is my adventurous eater, it was admirable to watch him devour octopus at A Gaucha, try black tempura fried cuttlefish at Time Out Market, and sample wildly inventive ceviche at A Cevicheria.

I did not send out Christmas cards this year so on that note —

MERRY CHRISTMAS || HAPPY HOLIDAYS || MUCH LOVE || and SAFE TRAVELS!!!