Seattle At Last

Security at Munich was somewhat more intensive than usual. Kathy "qualified" for a pat-down after the metal detector, but the second hurdle before boarding US-bound flights only involved the usual questions without any additional searches of us or our bags.

In the Lufthansa Senator Lounge inside security...

In the queue to enter the gate area...

A final farewell peek at Europe as we take off from Munich...

We were a little sleepy by the second flight.Although we held United Business Saver Award tickets we weren't assigned to First, so we sat in seats 12ABC on this 757. The crew was of the "We're here primarily for your safety" type, reminding us how little we miss flying UA, as opposed to Alaska.

We bought Taegan a Tapas box, and used some ancient non-expiring UA drink certs to buy adult libations. We half expected a fuss over them, but the flight attendant was as indifferent to that as she was to anything else, reminding us of the cynical old street cop in Joseph Wambaugh's first police novel, The New Centurions, who told the rookie he was "civil to all, courteous to none."

In any event, after a nap aboard Taegan literally pulled her weight as we walked briskly to the hotel shuttle are and caught  the 10:45 pm bus to the Doubletree and a happy reunion with Targan's parents, not at all marred by the thousand or so attendees at the fantasy / sci fi literary convention based in the hotel. 

We barely noticed the, ah, interesting costumes, and the individuals appear friendly and harmless, if a bit exuberant.

The dining MUC-ORD was definitely more elegant. Taegan found the shrimp dish okay but not great.

 The sundae was a hit...

The Tapas box was better than nothing...

Resting on the first flight...

And there are more people-watching opportunities this morning...

Breakfast time...