Travel moment 1 - Dima Schumacher

After two and half weeks holidays I am back in Kiev since May 10th. Fiji was great again. Went to the same place and had fantastic time.
Here I want to share some travel moments.

While stranded in A'dam due to the volcano, I wondered if I would fly to Fiji. If I had not arrive from A'dam to Kiev on April 20th I would not be able to depart. In my gmail drafts folder there is an unsent email regretfully informing Richard and Adrian I am cancelling my visit. But I flew on Tuesday and email was not sent.
The three working days during that week were hectic. The colleague of ours had a
serious car accident and her condition was critical. This saddened all.
I started to fly on Apr 24th. The route was Kiev to CDG to Incheon to Nadi. On Sat morning I walked Igor in the rain. Later I packed.
As usual I made a packing list and put it in my travel folder. I always do that as it is easier to see if I have a charger or adaptor on the list than in a full suitcase. I went to the office for few hours to finalize some things.
By 3 pm I was ready to go. As arranged Dima came to drive me to the airport and take Igor to Julia. Igor was to waive me at the airport. My flight was at 17.45 The moment Dima rang at my door I was sorting coins in my wallet in the study. Dima took suitcases. I took Igor, his food and my purse.The traffic on Sat afternoon in any city is usually heavy. Kiev is not exception. It usually takes 45 min to drive from my flat to the airport. With heavy Saturday traffic it was certain it would takes us longer. But even with busy traffic - as my flight was at 17.45 - I was sure we had
enough time. I was relaxed. Igor was in my lap. While Igor watched through the window I went over things I did so far. Suddenly a question appeared. Where is my wallet? I checked my purse. It was not there. At that moment I recalled sorting of coins. I knew I left the wallet at home. I said to Dima we had to return to my place. Deeply embarrassed I explained why. We crossed the river and than
returned back to the city. Dima drove over 100 km/h on Kiev streets. Fortunately no cops stoped us. Or due to the speed we have not seen any cop. I quickly went to my flat to pick up the wallet. Than Dima transformed himself into Schumacher. Few times when Dima passed other cars I loudly grasped for air. Could not stop myself. Igor also moved from my lap to the floor with his head on my knee. I worried cops would stop us. That something will happen to the car. I also wondered if I would made on time to check in. Once we were at the Boryspol highway I glanced at the speedometer: 150 km/h. Dima parked the car at the airport at 16.55 hours. Boarding started at 16.15.
Dima went with me to the checking counter. I handed my old large suitcase. The ground attendant informed me she can only issue a boarding pass from Kiev to CDG. She ensured me the luggage is checked in all the way to Nadi. I saw the luggage tag with "short connection" red tag and "priority tag"wrapped and glued around the handle. I had my boarding pass to CDG with the luggage tag all the way to Nadi. I
thanked Dima profusely. Without him I would miss the flight. And my holidays.
I hurried to the security clearance and immigration. I was among last passengers to board the plane. With me I had my hand luggage full of electronics - netbook, camera, lenses, etc.
In my seat still felt stupid about the wallet incident. I was grateful to Dima for exceptional driving and for making to the airport. I felt lucky credit cards and money are with me and not at home. Although the drive to the airport was hectic now in plane I felt everything will be fine. I looked forward to diving in Matava.