The last day started really early... we had a simple 10-step plan to get on our final flight home from Tel Aviv...
Step 1... 4:00am Driver on time! With the drama with Ahmed, we were wondering if the airport drive would go without a hitch but... check!
Step 2... 4:30am Arrive at airport... check!
Step 3... Clear Security... ooh... we got through then looked back at a very sweaty Alex (think the dude that was trying to fool Quaid in Total Recall and was found out by a large drop of sweat dripping down his cheek) getting the third degree from some ornery looking security guards with clearly nothing better to do - the airport was empty. They really didn't like the elephant (was that a desert elephant that he had bought?) and apparently had no idea about dead sea mud. Anyway, he escaped full cavity search protocol, but it was touch and go there for a sec. Why does he always get pulled over by security? lol
Step 4... Plane on time! Check!
Step 5... Arrive in Israel! Check! Also, pretend we are not leaving in 2 hours...
Step 6... Clear customers... snag! We ran into a SNL parody sketch of a bitch young customs girls (" why have you been to so many countries" "it's our hobby" extreme eyeroll.... and "what do you do?" "I build custom homes" another extreme eyeroll). Anyway, we eventually got through. Check!
Step 7... Collect bags... Check!
Step 8... Perform arrival PCR test / money grab before we could exit the airport... Check!
Step 9.... Rip off PCR wrist band, re-enter airport and push our way into Air Canada ticketing
Step 10... Clear customs and wait for boarding! Check, check, check!
We made it. After a lot of planning, research and consultation, the day went off with nary a hitch. What a great trip - we love our Versly discovery trips, and this one will not be forgotten. I can see revisiting Israel some day... I know, I know, we have a lot on our list, but even for a 3 day stopover, I'd come back to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem any day.
We arrived in YYZ and collected our bags without incident and were in our front door just after 4:30pm...which made it a 23 hour day... a Cairo shuffle day indeed.
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