One last post to round out my Turkey/Italy/Spain/Italy/France trip!
My trip back to the USA was long but uneventful. I walked from my Citizen M hotel (past all the bikes stored at the Amerstam Airport), and since my large bag was already checked through to the USA was able to go directly through security (after claiming my duty free tax back on some shoes I bought…lucky for me they did not ask me to present them). I went through passport control which was all digitized, sadly, no more stamps for my passport (but happily for me, no fingerprints required!).
We left about 45 minutes late…something to do with changing a tire, but arrived only 15 minutes late. For once my bags were not the last ones off the plane and with Global Entry it only took a few minutes to exit the airport (a quick glance at the camera and I was done).
I called a ride share and it came in less than five minutes so I was home by around 1:30 in the afternoon having left Amsterdam after 10am…that nine hour time change is real.
It is very nice in the San Diego area most times of the year but April is particularly nice, with lots of sun, mild weather and lots of beaches which are great for walking as is the interior with lots of spring flowers everywhere.
