Match day 13… Partizan away…. Serbia!
I never thought I’d go to Serbia!
It all started at midnight on Thursday when we jumped into the car and headed down to Luton airport! It wasn’t a bad trip well I did fall asleep so I’m guessing it wasn’t a bad drive! Pulling up at Luton long stay we parked jumped out and went to the bus stop pressing the button so that they knew a wheelchair user was waiting. It wasn’t a long wait & we were on our way to the terminal!
Once arrived at the terminal I booked In at special assistance and then went over to wizz air to book my wheelchair in! Then it was time to hit the security, it took the longest time, partly due to my liquid food I’ve no doubt!
We then checked in at the second special assistance & then went back to the departure area so Adam could get some food & me some water for the flight!
We arrived back at the special assistance and before long we were heading to the plane via the ambi! We were soon in our seats and then I fell asleep! Next stop Serbia.. No wait we had a 1 hour 45 minutes delay sat on the plane!
We was lucky to have a direct flight which only took us under 3 hours but the flight felt much longer! The staff at. Belgrade were very good got me off the plane quickly although I was horrified that my wheelchair wasn’t at the gate & instead it was at the luggage!
We then had to get cash out there which was quite the experience as we didn’t know the exchange rate & furthermore we had no internet!!!!! We eventually figured it out and went for a taxi! We found a taxi desk to book at who gave us a ticket 1800 to the hotel and we was off! No there wasn’t an accessible taxi I had to be carried in & out!
We stayed at the holiday inn express Belgrade City and I’m going to be honest there accessible room was absolutely superb, honestly even the wardrobe had a pull lever to enable me to reach & hang stuff up! The toilet was also a good height I was really impressed!
We booked a taxi down to the square where united were! After a brief chat with united officials, who all seem to know me and then a chat with Serbian police we eventually located the pick up point!
I was pleasantly surprised that United had put on an accessible mini bus and it only had me & Adam in it! The guys chatted to us and strapped my wheelchair in and before long we were off to the stadium!
Upon arrival at the stadium I was a little worried as we were in the home end! Eventually it was sorted out & the mini bus said they’d wait for us and take us back at the end of the match, result!
We were escorted through the home end into the away end! We brought a program and then went and looked out at the stadium, we also watched united fans coming down until the police moved us!
Being at the stadium was special as it was the last game the busby babes player at so it was a surreal to actually be there and following in there. Footsteps.
We were lucky enough to catch up with a few mates including Andy B, Andy, Gavin, Duts & a few others!
The atmosphere wasn’t too bad and we finally won away 1-0 and even better we scored a penalty!
We were held back for a bit until I got a little fed up and forced my way through the united fans! The Serbian police after a conversation we’re kind enough to let us out earlier than other fans, thank you! We were escorted back to the mini bus!
We were all chatting on the way back and they kindly took us to our hotel instead of the square!
Adam found out he could get a Macdonald’s delivery so that pleased him a lot and the cost wasn’t bad either! Meanwhile, andy lost his phone and that was not easy to resolve in Serbia!
I checked our flight the next morning with air Serbia and then fell asleep!
Next stop Zurich… Coming tomorrow!
Vicky xxx