Going to Vikings and Fjords

Confused notes about the misadventures of a poor dobermanist

To prepare for the trip to Sweden for the World Cup and IDC I started almost a year. It’s not that much worried about the organization of the trip, although this time there, but just to escape from the house in Europe for me as a breath of fresh air. Well, if you start cooking ahead of time, in dreams, as it were already transfers itself to the fertile land of the Old World. However, I do not know, I would venture to travel, if Nostradamus had talent.

So, a small group of people who suffer from claustrophobia bus and pains in the joints and spine during malokomfortnom move, decided to go to Sweden under its own power and with maximum convenience. Group commander was appointed Lyubov Fedorova, the owner of Damayanti Zoosfery and political instructor, I acted.
Immediately after returning from Venice, with IDC-2007 confirmed, in what numbers and where will be the next championship, Luba contacted SAS – Swedish airline about our trip with the dogs in Stockholm. The beauty of this trip was the fact that the dogs of this airline carries a fixed rate of $ 50 as opposed to the other, where the flight will cost the pet with the cell of at least $ 800.

Dear and active SAS representative office manager in Moscow offered to immediately issue the tickets, received confirmation from the head office and we are paying money and taking on the hands on tickets to the Treasury places on four dogs, went shopping in search of drinks, which would not be ashamed to mention such a cleverly conceived and successful operation.
However bummer not long in coming. Just a few days later the manager called back. His voice was as a teenager, his father caught a pack of cigarettes. With regret, he said that the head office suddenly changed his mind. The reason for such an amazing variability lies alleged that porters airlines went on strike and now do not intend to lift loads heavier than 32 kg, and as boxes with dogs will weigh more, …
The next day we went and passed all the tickets. The band broke up. I decided to buy a ticket on Aeroflot plane because it is cheaper than the SAS, and the dog sent by bus, accompanied by Irina Green. I did. Moreover. Handed over documents to the travel agency, causing extreme surprise at such an early customer treatment, book a hotel in Nischepinge in Sweden from June 30 to July 4, I received a visa and went back to the store for a drink.
But bummer not want to leave me. He came suddenly and unexpectedly, as a tax inspector with unscheduled inspections. Irina did not grin passport. Her Princess Black Pearl from Zoosfery agreed to take Anastasia Kaminska, and for my Kabbalah there was no place on the ferry as the ferry company confirmed only a certain number of dogs for the group, follow the bus.

The search dobermanistov are sent to the machine that could capture the Kabbalah with him, without success, and tickets for Aeroflot flights suffered consider tickets for the Swedish airline.
Fortunately, at that moment Lyuba still nothing defined Fedorova, and the team was re-established. Using the Internet, we have launched a massive logistical operation. To go by train to Riga and Helsinki, and there on the ferry? It is possible, but will have to redeem all of the compartment and then the whole day waiting for the evening ferry, as in the morning we did not have time. With things and dogs is problematic. Request Baltic Airlines. However, they refused to carry dogs weighing more than 24 kg. There remained only the airline AirBerlin, which took large dogs, but not more than 4 boxes for the flight at the price of EUR 30 per dog.

Offer good. But the problem was that, firstly, a direct flight from Moscow to Sweden this company is not, and a connecting flight via Berlin turned out only two days later. Return tickets were only available on July 6 in Vienna, and from Vienna to Moscow on July 8. Dates do not coincide with the visa.
When I came back to the travel agency with the requirement to revoke a visa, and make me a new one on the other dates and book hotels in Berlin and Vienna, I was going to see the whole office.

In Domodedovo Airport before flying

Tickets AirBerlin were bought, documents handed over to the travel agency. In the shop for good luck no longer went. But it did not help. Travel agency pulled and tugged with their suggestions of hotels. Finally, after my 10th kick sent me a list of hotels in Austria, the cost of which was about 150 euros per night. Correspondingly 2 nights at 300 euros. I’m not satisfied with. But the new proposals for the Vienna and Berlin also did not differ humanity. Finally, when the yard was already in June 2008, and before the trip was 3 weeks, we agreed on a price of 100 euros per night in Vienna and accommodation in Berlin, I was allowed to book.
On Web sites, I found a number of different proposals, some shares, the total price and discount price. Finally, I came across the cheapest offer, which I immediately chose. Fully shares description I read. Later, before leaving, go to the site of the hotel, I saw that these special dates, when the Berlin Love Parade takes place, we kindly provide this number with special prices for people who look at life in a different color. Gradually the meaning of words to reach me was, and I realized why the hotel 3 times came a letter with the request to confirm whether they have correctly understood that I would be in this room, and one with a dog …

If you receive has a new visa in the travel agency I was told another news: hotel in Nischepinge does not confirm the settlement with my dog, because they have “overbooking” (no spaces). Change something was already late, and I thought that the place somehow face it. With this in mind, I went with a dog in a taxi across town to the veterinary clinic on lavender Boulevard do all sorts vetspravki. In the clinic, it was found out that the dog could not be brought. After spending 3 hours in a queue and paid, it seems 750 rubles. for the record, I went home to pack. And 27 June we successfully Anyone flew from Domodedovo to Berlin.

In Berlin airport before meeting Bok

After landing in Berlin and received boxes with dogs, we were in the arms of the customs officers, who stated that a veterinarian went home. Without a veterinarian in civilized Europe to get out and walk the dog after a flight when the flight also detained – not. Vet called and he said that he would return to the airport. Expectations lasted two hours. One can only wonder resistance dogs for the first time post-flight, and then forced to while away the time in a cage waiting for a veterinarian. But Bella and Demi behaved admirably. Arrived long veterinarian examined each flourish in the documents, citing the fact that in Germany, are very fond of dogs and care for them. The phrase sounded like a mockery. In fact, no one thought to mock. Just in Europe have long been living on principle – I say what I ordered, I do only what is prescribed, I do not do anything that is not prescribed, I do not care what people think about others and how I look in their eyes because any court will confirm that I was right. That is why a veterinarian and customs it was logical that dogs have experienced suffering, but it was believed that all employees take care of the dogs. On the manifestations of such a strange and dead-end logic I encountered on this trip more than once. Finally, we were allowed into the city. We came to the taxi stand, but no one was in a hurry to put us in the car because of the dogs. Finally, finding an English-speaking taxi driver Turk, we have found that for a trip with the dogs need to call a special machine. After a call to the company the taxi arrived very quickly and within 10 minutes we were at the hotel. Dogs with pleasure warmed up in a very nice park among the oaks and wormholes. Behind the fence, by the way, it was a dog’s pad, though the castle. There grew wonderful flowers, a platform has been equipped with all appliances, there was even a tent with a minibar for beer and barbecue for grilling sausages, tables and benches.

Participants Love Parade

The next day, on Saturday hosted the famous Love Parade, which was broadcast for several hours in the air a few broadcasters. The studios were very important uncle, who commented and discussed frames with eccentric fellows, wag their bare backsides, burly girl, showing bare breasts at the camera, pimply youths, absorbing the rain beer and starikanov, staring at the action greedy eyes.
Well, the next day in the morning on Sunday we went to the airport to meet the cheerful and carefree Stockholm. Took boxes of storage, put them in the dogs and went to the front desk. Young people have already started to write out boarding passes, as here come from somewhere very corpulent German, something reminded me of Bok. After examining closely our boxes, she said, that my boxing is not necessary, as too small and would not let me land.

Any flew with Damayanti one, and I was left standing in the departure hall without reservation to the hotel, without a plane ticket, and without a clear understanding of where to get a new cell. Bok my fate and the fate of the dog is no longer excited, so pulled out of her bag bins giant and mauled a donut, she went to the coffee machine.
Out on the street, I met a remarkable Turk-taxi driver who, using the word “shaysen” a couple of times, explained to me what was going on in Germany. He advised to go to the Cargo Center and learn something about buying a new box.

In the land of nod reigned Cargo Center. All the doors were open, but could not find people. Soon, however, a tall worker advanced years, who reported that no one is working on a day off, but seems to be after 15 hours may open office “Lufthansa Cargo”. We turned around and went to the hotel. My imagination painted a bleak picture: I’m pretty emaciated, dusty and tattered trousers sing near the Brandenburg Gate “forgotten pozabroshen” rather sad Bella sits next to and holding a baseball in his mouth, in which the dull gleam of 20 cents

.

The number in the hotel I was given the same, showed no surprise. Only cost it is now almost 2 times more expensive – campaign dedicated to “Love Parade” ended. The taxi driver promised to be back by 15 o’clock. I sat behind the Internet to buy new tickets. Checking different dates, make sure to place on a no dogs. The reception was advised to go to the airport and go through the offices of airlines.

At the airport, the first thing I came across the “Lufthansa” office and went there. But they were able to offer a flight to Stockholm via Frankfurt the total price in 1251 euros. The other companies did not have tickets to the 30th of June. Finally, my eye was caught with a colorful signboard office “Sex tours to Thailand. Airline ticketing in all directions.” Employee explaining their problems, I began nervously pacing the hall. Finally, it’s good news. We were able to negotiate in “ErBerlin” to another place for dogs, however, the ticket per person will cost 304 euros. Search for something different sense was not, and I happily bought the ticket.

Back at the hotel, I found a taxi driver, and we went to Bella in the Cargo Center. “Lufthansa Cargo”, fortunately, was opened and I have taken out a new box. Its size made me lurch. Boxing is clearly intended for the transport of the relic giant lizards of the Jurassic period. But flirtatious employee “Lufthansa Cargo” assured me that it was all “Okay.” Credit card for some reason has not worked, I paid 201 euros in cash and brought boxing to the hotel. There, using an obscure instructions, I had gathered and ran joyfully to the Internet to report friends on the chat, threw me alarming SMS messages and replenishes me through the phone (thank World Moore!), That I think I got out of the situation.

The hotel in Berlin. Bell examines the new purchase.

However, by logging on to the mailbox, I found a letter from the airline, from which it became clear that while I was looking for flights, I somehow bought 4 tickets for a total amount of EUR 1000 … na-ba-ba-bum !! Now I understand why the credit card did not work in the “Lufthansa Cargo” – it simply blocked. Cursing himself and the strange Internet system, I flew into the office of the airline. I was not surprised at all there and was told that this happens often, and canceled the extra tickets. Back at the hotel and entered the Internet, I discovered that it was another letter from the purchased airline tickets. I returned to the airline’s office and canceled the last of accidentally purchased tickets. I felt perhaps that feels Olympian marathoner who crosses the finish line first – the joy, euphoria and a hell of fatigue. He went into the airport store and bought three cans of beer and … forgot them by the kiosk with newspapers, when he wanted to buy the sports press today about the European Football Championship final. I flew into the street in search of a taxi. Once in the taxi thought of the beer, the taxi driver said “the moment”, flew back to the airport, then the kiosk, take the pot, to which no one paid attention, and returned to the car.

When he came in the room, I changed into swimming trunks, took a beer and went out the back door to the pool. He plunged into the transparent surface of the water, made a victory cry of the Iroquois and straight into the pool volley vyhlestal famous “Berliner Pilsner”, prompting envious glances of some guests who were sitting nearby in a deck chair with a very prim wives. Coming out of the pool, I realized that I go to the room through the back door can not be – it was closed. I had to go almost naked in swimming trunks, from which flowed the water, through the hotel’s restaurant. The restaurant has come a deathly silence. Left rang out the sound of falling plates. Girl with a reception whispered administrator from what I rooms and one knowingly nodded his head, did not bring me to claim.

And under the wing of the plane …

The next day c heavy heart and trembling at the knees, I took his former box in the trash and with a new box went to the airport. In the plane I was seated with no problems. But Stockholm met horrific rain and a huge airport infrastructure. To pass the box in the luggage I had to proceed from Terminal 2 to Terminal 5. The distance was quite impressive among them. Suffice it to say that between the terminals of buses. However, in my boxing coach, obviously from a collection of personal belongings of Gargantua and Pantagruel, could not squeeze. Then I gathered the remnants of the forces, hoisted it on the cart, put on top of things, a dog leash in his mouth and took off on foot, washed Stockholm rainfall. Soon, the pavement ended, and I had to go along a narrow roadway. Raced towards the buses. Seeing me, the drivers first widely opened eyes, then abruptly braked, and then twisted his finger to his temple. I can imagine how much the Swedish mat was heard at that moment in the cabin of the bus from the citizens were not able to resist in the braking time. But I firmly walked towards my goal, I have gotten a second, no third breath! I knew that no one in this world, no NATO force, no European officials and pettifoggers not be able to stop me from getting to the 5th terminal.

Train in Nischeping.

Finally, boxing has been handed over to the storage chamber, and I was in the train, by the way, together with Hussey Assenmaher (though she was traveling in another car 1st class), follow Nischeping. All the seats in the cabin of the 1st and 2nd floor were occupied, so I sat on the jump seat in the vestibule. Bella perched side by side. Soon came supervisor, who reported that the dog can go only in the cabin. “But in the cabin there are no free seats” – I stated. After inspecting the cabin, the controller confirmed that there is no space, but it is necessary to go still there. I went into the cabin and stood in the midst of it. Controller arose again: “can not stand, you need to sit.” Again, I tried to explain that sitting is simply nowhere. But the inspector did not care, because the main thing – is an instruction, not common sense. Finally leave common sense I did not want, so I went back into the hallway and sat down again on otkidnushku. Controller impassively repeated memorized speech, which I decided not to respond better.

Hotel in Nischepinge

Lovely dinner after Nischepinge IDC.

The controller has disappeared and did not return. Bella and happily reached Nischepinga. Hotel prevented from settling did not and that was our misfortunes were over. Then there was the day vtoroya to IDC, a sea of ​​emotions, all kinds mark the, super-early at 4:30 am trip to Stockholm for the World Cup (thank Sergei and Natasha County of Melgueil, owners Israphel Ave Atentatora who learn that to get up so early I was not on the than, they rescued me and took with them in the car), and then the flight to Vienna, going to the thermal baths, a delicious dinner and a happy return to Moscow.

Thermal spa Oberlaa in Vienna

Now all this seems to be ridiculous. Fine! This means that we have somewhere to go.

Many thanks to Lyuba Fyodorova and Yevgeny G. Rosenberg, supported me on the trip, as well as to all the friends-dobermanistam who sincerely worried and tried to help.