Leaving is always difficult. Our home during the last 6 months was a 2 story condo in the downtown of Ottawa. Mechanicsville.

The eclectic collection of urban sprawl and new world gentrification with 2 story single family dwellings slowly being pulled down and replaced by new architectural apartments and high rise buildings want really our cup of tea.

Couple that with the new LRT at Tunney's pasture only minutes away you have our command Central for the last 6 months.

Our Uber came promptly at 4am for our 7am flight. A slight drizzle and cool fall temperatures cast a feeling of sadness into the start of our day. it was going to be a long day.

Turning the lights off at the condo finished our Mechanicsville chapter.

In the whole Grand scheme of things we were leaving that apartment without a trace. And we even managed to eat everything that was left in the fridge.

Our vehicle was in storage, none of the furniture belonged to us and the final load of linens was in the laundry. The land lady wished us Bon voyage and asked us to remember to put the key and the garage opener on the counter. It almost had the feeling of -don't let the door hit you on the way out-

Hitting the road. We were heading out on what could be our new way of life. 6 months with a " home" base the 6 months in the road. Exploring.

Not a bad lifestyle.

Checking in

Checking in was a snap, as much snapping that can be done at 4.45am.

Bikes rolled in, un packed, re packed and taped, strapped and ticketed they were on their way to New Zealand.

First stop Vancouver

Bob had never been to Vancouver so he wanted to spend d some time walking down town. We took the sky train right to the waterfront. It was a beautiful fall day and we strolled along the streets.

One minute we were on trendy Street with coffee shops with "yummie mommies" pushing strollers. We walked a block, crossed the street and there was a din of cannabis in the air and small clutches of disheveled people shuffling along. East Hastings perhaps?

We did an about face back to the safety of Lulu Lemon land.

We returned to the gate for our long haul flight 14 hours.

That's when we heard 

"Would passenger Laura kelland may and passenger Robert may please see the air new Zealand rep at gate 54.

I took out passports and went to the counter where a representative asked to see it passports. 

Then she asked when are you leaving new Zealand? 

March 2020

"Could you show me proof of your return ticket please."

I returned back to the seating area and told Bob she needed proof of our return flights.

He went up with his computer and all of our information.

Everything! 

Except the 13 digit e ticket number for our return flight. 

I watched as Bob pointed to his computer and the agents peered and pushed their well manicured fingers into the cradle of a telephone searching for the 13 digit e ticket number.

Long story short we made it thru.

What could go wrong on a14 got long haul flight?