Yesterday I flew from Amsterdam to Toronto. Excellent Icelandair flights, although the Reykjavík airport is in some disarray with new construction going on, crowded departure lounges, not enough seating, and long bus rides to one’s aircraft.
In Toronto, seamless organization: I skip the long immigration lines and check in at a standalone terminal with my Nexus card. Takes all of 2 minutes. After picking up my luggage, I ask the info desk how I can call my shuttle. I don’t have a phone. No problem, browse thru all the parking services available for Toronto airport, press a button and get connected to ur shuttle service for free. The shuttle picks me up in under 10 min.
I see people in shorts and T-shirts and wonder if they’re the hapless innocents who just landed from Cancun. No, it’s warm and balmy outside, even at 8pm.
I get to the parking lot and find my car – it’s like meeting an old friend. A quick stop at Kandahar Kabab for dinner and then off to Rochester.
Two hours later at the border, I tell the US immigration officer about my whirlwind trip to Europe. He asks me if I have anything to declare. I say no. “What? No duck or Belgian stuff?” he jokes. Another hour and I’m in Rochester’s familiar neighborhoods. Spring is in the air. I’m listening to classic rock on the radio. Oh, how good it is to be home!