Miles of frustrating miles

Preparing for Russ to join us at the hotel today started with a 6am departure north (walk, bus, walk) to collect promised medical oxygen from the factory.

Exploring the industrial areas, but a small courier set up, DHL!

Found our destination only to be informed that we could not be supplied with medical oxygen! Russ was in charge of discharge meetings and Hans!

This place was however a BBQ pit masters paradise…but a very disillusioned Sue and supportive George left empty handed with another phone number to call (hopefully to reach an English speaking person).

Another 15 minute walk to the bus, and 15 minute walk back (empty handed). Next phone call made, and the hint of success that we could maybe rent…from a place in the opposite direction. Uber time…and an hour of processing, and we left with the required equipment and a back up bottle! Russ was under threat of being kicked out by this time and when we finally arrived at the hospital both he and Hans (whom they were also moving to another unit) were dressed, packed, beds gone and prowling!

We borrowed the wheelchair (to be returned to ward) and shook Hans hand and wished him good luck. He tried to give the books back to Russ, but they are his to keep to remember the Kiwis. Back to the Hotel (another room sorted for George) and we grabbed lunch.

Freedom on the outside deck and a good solid feed of McDonald’s (not to mention a much needed coffee).

The next excursion for the day was a trip to the international airport, on the other side of the city, to collect all our remaining luggage that Roland had kindly packed and airfreighted!

Russ had a lesson with the new oxygen and was under strict instructions to rest and enjoy the freedom of his hotel room!

Wheelchair returned, and 2km was to the train, that took us underground (26 stops) from one side of Berlin to the other…a short bus ride and voila here we are at the airport. I was going alone, but as it transpired, thank goodness George was with me.

I have decided that, if it’s not their job, they have no interest in providing accurate directions. First person sent us to terminal C, only to be told to go back past terminal B and A. The quite helpful lady at terminal C told us we had to go to cargo, I asked if this was like DHL (being fresh in my mind from this mornings excursions) she said no it’s C-A-R-G-O (spelling it out) and it’s quite far but we could walk! Ok off we set…walking again.

Checked again at terminal A after a 15 minute walk, only to be told it’s very far, through a tunnel and around the other side of the runway…well she wasn’t joking, barbed wire fences on one side (or miles) and…

Bush and little cottages on the other side, it was like, OMG where are we…. around and around in a deserted road, with warehouses and work factories…finally spied the C-A-R-G-O Sign.

Another km or more we asked a pilot (on his way home) who said it was secure area – we had to go to the checkpoint. Dammit, a back track! Again someone who didn’t know but pointed us to a row or truck loading bays, for lifts and general big factory stuff.

Finally found a very helpful man … and yep C-A-R-G-O was the right place!

And amongst all the huge freight, there they were our three bags sitting on their own pallet, and fork lifted out to the loading bay.

After two hours at the airport, the price of yet another Uber for the day became minimal in the tiredness of our bodies and minds!

So now we were in rush hour traffic and the car ride took an hour an a half.

The day was too much for George….nothing like an Uber nap!

Home by 5pm and Russ had had a lovely afternoon nibbling on cashews!

Beer time for me, and tomorrow begins another challenge – applying for medical clearance to fly!

So for the cult followers of Hans, the story is over as we say goodbye to Russ’s roomy and are all in the big wide world of Berlin.