We do not remember days, we remember moments.
[Cesare Pavese]
I arrived home last night and I have had a little bit of time to relax and reflect on the last 4 months. I experienced countless amazing moments while traveling in Europe. I couldn't have asked for a better 4 months; working traveling and with friends - we've created memories that will remain with us forever <3
Coming home was slightly stressful to say the least. European airports (especially Frankfurt and Heathrow) are a mess right now with the awful weather in Europe. I talked to people who had been traveling for 5 days trying to get home. Many of them either were either coming from or trying to go to Frankfurt or London.
My journey home started on Tuesday at 5:15am. Jaewoo and I left the apartment. Lugged our luggage to Amsterdam Centraal. Got on a train to the airport. Train made it halfway there then had to go back to Amsterdam Centraal because of problems on the tracks due to the weather. Got on another train. Power went out. Train still made it to Schiphol International Airport. Went to check in. Couldn't check in.Was told flight to Frankfurt might be canceled. Went back an hour later. Successfully checked in. Went to gate B13. Waited for the plane. Flight was then canceled. Started to panic. Went to a transfer line. Was told to go to a different transfer line. Went to another transfer line. Was told to go claim my luggage at belt #4. Claimed my luggage. Went back to the departure area. Got in the Lufthansa ticket line. Waited for an hour. Waited for another hour. Was still waiting an hour after that. 4.5 hours after getting in the line-up I got to the desk. Man told me everything was full for today. He said there was a direct flight to Toronto tonight but it was full. He put me on standby. I checked in. I went to gate E02. I checked at the desk. There was room on the plane. I got a seat. I breathed a sigh of relief. I sent a text to my parents. Told them I was coming home! Got on the plane. Watched Marley and Me. Got off the plane 8 hours later. Claimed my luggage. Walked into the arrival hall. Saw my parents and... I was home =)
So so lucky to have gotten home yesterday. So thankful to be home!
My European Story: the short version
My journey home started on Tuesday at 5:15am. Jaewoo and I left the apartment. Lugged our luggage to Amsterdam Centraal. Got on a train to the airport. Train made it halfway there then had to go back to Amsterdam Centraal because of problems on the tracks due to the weather. Got on another train. Power went out. Train still made it to Schiphol International Airport. Went to check in. Couldn't check in.Was told flight to Frankfurt might be canceled. Went back an hour later. Successfully checked in. Went to gate B13. Waited for the plane. Flight was then canceled. Started to panic. Went to a transfer line. Was told to go to a different transfer line. Went to another transfer line. Was told to go claim my luggage at belt #4. Claimed my luggage. Went back to the departure area. Got in the Lufthansa ticket line. Waited for an hour. Waited for another hour. Was still waiting an hour after that. 4.5 hours after getting in the line-up I got to the desk. Man told me everything was full for today. He said there was a direct flight to Toronto tonight but it was full. He put me on standby. I checked in. I went to gate E02. I checked at the desk. There was room on the plane. I got a seat. I breathed a sigh of relief. I sent a text to my parents. Told them I was coming home! Got on the plane. Watched Marley and Me. Got off the plane 8 hours later. Claimed my luggage. Walked into the arrival hall. Saw my parents and... I was home =)
So so lucky to have gotten home yesterday. So thankful to be home!
My European Story: the short version
10.09.02 Toronto >> Newark >> Zurich >> Amsterdam
10.09.03 Arrived in Amsterdam
2010.09.03 Hi Bob's Youth Hostel
Sint Nicolaaskerk
2010.09.07 Started work at LEVS
2010.09.10 Moved Hostels, to Shelter City =)
Walked through the red light district everyday home from work
Did the touristy tours
2010.09.24 On our way to London on the ultra fancy "ferry"
London with Adrienne
Mamma Mia in London =)
Still at Shelter City :P
2010.09.29 No longer homeless!!
2010.10.02 Adrienne, Benny and Ketty came to visit Amsterdam
Down at Museumplein with Adrienne, Benny, Ketty and Jaewoo
Doin' the grocery shoppin' thang at Albert Heijn
2010.10.05 Dutch lecture with the office
2010.10.11 Den Haag for the weekend
10.10.17 Oosterpark (really, I was lost trying to find Blessed Trinity church)
2010.10.20 At the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam for the 2010 World Gymnastics Championships!!
WORLDS =)
Russia, USA, China
2010.10.21 Paris to see Ms. Langridge
Paris =)
2010.11.16 Almere with Jaewoooooo
2010.10.31 Dam Square Fair - view from the Ferris Wheel!!
2010.11.03 Prague with Adrienne to visit Monika
Monika suggested Adrienne and I try hot wine... it wasn't a big hit
2010.11.06 Van Gogh Museum for MuseumNacht
2010.11.09 Pool with Stefania after work
2010.11.13 Laura and Adrienne hit Amsterdam for Cirque
Going to see Cirque...
At Cirque du Soleil!
2010.11.18 Out for Jaewoo's birthday =)
Hanging with the Italians
2010.11.26 Our for drinks in Koln
Kolner Dom Cathedral in Koln, Germany
2010.11.29 GAGA in Rottedam
2010.12.04 Brussels with Jaewoo
2010.12.05 Sinterklaas visited LEVS
2010.12.08 Schroder House in Utrecht with Jaewoo and Nicolo
Utrecht University Medical Building
Amsterdam =)
10.12.21 Amsterdam >>
I had an amazing time in Europe but it's really nice to be home! It's been a crazy fun 4 months.Thanks to everyone who has followed my blog. Merry Christmas =)
