The Journey Begins...Again!

The Journey Begins...

Well, actually, as anyone who has traveled knows, the  journey begins long before you depart, bags in hand.   So this may be the part of the journey that preparations have led up to...but this journey started a few weeks ago.  

I love when I get 'feelings'.  The last time I had the urge to check cruises I found an amazing one, and had a dream trip to the Greek isles for a 'real deal'.  And it was one of the best trips ever...

So when a feeling out of nowhere came to me to check cruises on a different cruise line, I was so astounded by what I saw, I actually called the cruise line to see if it was a mistake.  No it wasn't, the ship wasn't filling up...hence the incredibly low price. I was so excited that I would be going to new countries and cities .  Things fell into place, you know, the way they do when things were meant to be.  And then everything came to a halt...There was no one to watch my little dog, and I ended up with some health issues that would have made travel, especially on long tours, very uncomfortable.  I sadly rethought things and accepted that the cruise to previously unvisited places was not to be.  Perhaps someday...Slovenia, Montenegro, Sicily and beyond.

But I did have a ticket to Europe with miles I've been collecting for a very long time.  So maybe I would shorten the trip and at least go for a short time.  Creative planning is one of my 'gifts'.  And the search for a sooner return flight began.  I love it...I love trying different things until something works out.  And work out it did!  

Not many options for flights to Europe so I kept the same flight to London, but was able to find a return from Amsterdam a week later.  Oh, how I wanted to stay a couple more days but by the time something opened up, I'd planned so much I decided that a week would be enough.  And I like the flight home, directly from Frankfurt to Denver, that in itself will be a treat!  I fly from Amsterdam to Frankfurt for the nonstop flight home.  Creative planning...

I always try to encourage people to use the United mileage credit card.  Yes, it costs after the first year, but you will be collecting miles for every purchase.  Just to motivate you, I'll let you know my ticket details.  I'm flying first class...Denver to Toronto to London...$6!  Coming home is a bit more expensive, $98.  This trip cost 140,000 a lot of miles!  If you want to travel in coach...it is just 60,000.  Domestic flights are much less.  I also use miles for upgrades, but those days of deals are over, now it is around $1000 additional to upgrade to business/first class.  Used to be free.  I'm so glad I traveled so much when I did...it isn't getting better.  But travel still is a thrill unequaled by anything else in my life.  And so, I will go as long as possible.

Now back to this trip, I woke up to a dark, gloomy, cold, rainy day at home, hoping there would be no delays.  I had a two hour connection in Toronto and I didn't want to miss the international flight.  However I did have a back up plan, my friend from Winnipeg is now living in Toronto, soooo if I were stranded there, at least I'd have a friend to spend time with.   

I arrived at the parking lot I use and the valet parking went up from $9 a stay to $4 a day!  That is a luxury I won't be enjoying much anymore.  I know things change, but that is a big increase, well that is the way of the day I guess.  They can get it, so they charge it.  I made it to check in and had to wait, air Canada wasn't open yet.  

There was a lady and her teenage daughter behind me.  I started talking to her and asked if her daughter was on crutches because of a ski accident.  She explained that they were in Vail for hip surgery.  She had had 3 surgeries in Canada and none were good so the went to Colorado for one of the top orthopedists in the world and stayed for physical therapy for a month.  They were very pleased with the results This time.  Poor thing, four surgeries!

I got to security and two spots showed up to be checked, so here I was with a pat down again.  I was told it would be my private parts and given the option to go into a private room.  I said to just do it there.  Not sure what that was about because the areas to check were my shoulders!  Then they tested my hands and she put her hands in my hair...my hair?  Oh well, of course nothing showed up and I was on my way in a short time.

Made it to the plane and when it was time to head up, up and away...we had to sit, sit and stay...but finally we were on our way and it looked like I'd make the connection.  I was not too impressed with the airline, the tvs on my side of the plane broke...and the caterer never showed up with the bread, small thing but curious.  Had 30 minutes to spare arriving in canada, so I took advantage of the lounge access and found the food delicious and very diverse, much better than in the US, broken tvs forgiven.

And finally it was time to board the overseas flight!  Oh how exciting that is for me.  Walking on and settling in, for the next 7 1/2 hours.  The seats in this plane are single seats.  I put my things in the overhead compartment and started enjoying and exploring the first class seat.  The woman in front of me looked into the overhead compartment and very rudely asked whose things were in there.  I was shocked and replied they were mine and then she told me to move them.  Pretty funny, I replied that I would not be moving them, they were in the right place.  The very kind man across the row looked at me, stared at her, and smiled when I kindly said no.  I think it was her first time and she didn't realize that people share.  Throughout the flight she complained about everything.  That smile from the nice man connected us and we chatted a bit, but it wasn't easy across the aisle.  Traveling alone, it is always nice to connect with someone.

The dinner was wonderful and I even was able to sleep a couple of hours.  Watched  a movie and before I knew it, we were circling London, waiting for the okay to land.  And it was the next morning here, I was landing and ready for my day when people at home were getting ready for bed.  Okay, well perhaps not quite 'ready'!  But a safe arrival.  I was confused when I deplaned, everything looked different.  Walking out to get the taxi to my hotel I realized that I wasn't crazy, I was at a different terminal, whew, was worrying about the fact that I'd forgotten everything.  I'd assumed all Star Alliance flights arrived at the same terminal...wrong.  Welcome to terminal 3!  Europe, United Kingdom, here I am!

I Did Dallas - Day Dos

(okay, okay, I can't help it, I've always liked alliterations, perhaps it is the teacher in me?)

And so day dos in Dallas dawns...and I was not awake to catch the dawn!  I slept well and had time to visit with my cousin before she left for a business trip.  Then her husband helped me plan my routes for a day in Dallas.  All had been planned from the hotel in Fort Worth but now I was in Plano, so everything was different.  And a friend of my aunt and uncle had told me about a wonderful Chinese Lantern Festival that was currently in town.  Sounded like something I would like so I'd researched it and decided I would see that too.  Turns out that wasn't in a very 'safe' area of town, but once I decide I want to do something it is hard to talk me out of it, so the evening's activities took shape.  And soon I was headed out to bravely tackle the highways and byways of Dallas on my own.

First stop...Snuffers.  I'd seen the restaurant featured on Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins on the Food Network one day when I had it on while I was working.  The cheese fries were featured and looked delicious.  It said it was in downtown Dallas, but when I started researching it, there were places around town.  Took some time to find the closest on the routes I'd planned, but since my base had changed, that didn't work.  Luckily, there is one close to my cousins house so it worked out and I started my day headed there.  I arrived just after opening and met the manager as I was walking in.  Turns out the show was actually filmed at that location.  the fries were delicious, a couple of layers of cheese.  I got the toppings on the side, but decided they only took away from the savory taste so I didn't use them after all.  

After lunch I headed to the arboretum to see the Pumpkin Village.  I'd received two emails from different parts of the country with pics of it and when I saw it was in Dallas and it was the right time of year, how could I pass that up?  So I found my way there, a long trip because of major road construction, but my trusty gps kept recalculating and eventually we got there!  Pumpkins here I come...camera in hand.  When I had called I was told there were many flowers blooming so I was hoping for a repeat of Giverny, but that was not to be.  Most of the flowers were mums, not my favorite flowers.  But the walk was nice as the main walkways were lined with pumpkins.  I was there on trick or treating day so children were everywhere in costumes.  Lots of little princesses, but I have to say my favorite was the little boy marshmallow, adorable!  He was in a white costume filled with air and he started begging his mom to let the air out.  She convinced him he could NOT walk around as a FLAT  marshmallow so as far as I know, he proceeded in full costume.  The other kid highlight was the mom who was giving Addison, Keeson, and Mason a lecture that they were not to continue crying.  Sobbing kids said they were NOT crying.  Hilarious, I really wanted to ask them what that was, but decided to stay out of that drama.  They were instructed that they were NOT to cry when their parents told them anything, they were to say, okay I understand, even when they had their candy taken away, which was apparently what started the melt down.  So they had to practice saying that.  Then they were told that their father probably wasn't going to let them stay any longer anyway.  That was a shame, they were doing so well with okay, I understand.  Maybe their father let them stay.  After these two dramas I wondered if halloween really is worth all that.  Yep, guess it always was for me too.

Finally I arrived at the pumpkin filled area and yes, it was easy to believe there were over 50,000 pumpkins and gourds there!  What a creation, a sight to behold in person!  So many people were there.  There was a house or hut like structure out of orange pumpkins, one out of white pumpkins, and the most interesting to me, the one made out of gourds.  Many displays everywhere, really something to see.  there were well designed piles of pumpkins, pumpkins in the middle of flower displays, pumpkin flowers, and many designs made from pumpkins...all colors and shapes and sizes!  There was a white pumpkin shaped carriage?  Oh yes, Cinderella's coach to the ball, and all the little princesses were having their picture taken in it.  

Finally I had enough of pumpkin time and decided it was time to face my next event, finding the airport hotel where I would spend the very short night before heading to the airport at 4:30 AM the next morning for my flight.  Crazy timing, but it saved hundreds of dollars, so worth it, or at least it seemed so when I made the reservations.

More freeways and again 'we' found our destination.  I checked in and took a nice little nap.  I set the alarm so that I would wake up in time to head to the Lantern Festival if it wasn't raining like the night before.  I woke up very refreshed and although the skies were cloudy, I decided I couldn't miss the final Dallas event.  

I arrived but had to drive a lot to find the entrance.  The sun was going down so at least I wasn't searching and then walking in the total darkness.  But they were lanterns so the viewing had to be in the dark.  As I walked up, I was stunned by the spectacular beauty!  Thousands of lanterns lighting up the night with amazing creative scenes!  A total delight!  I wasn't sure I knew how to use my camera at night, so I used different settings and did get some wonderful photos.  The bright colors and intricate designs were really enthralling!  I walked around the whole exhibit and would have gone again, but I still had to find my way to the car rental return.  Im pretty sure i got photos of everything from every angle.  Something I'd not even known about until 24 hours earlier turned out to be the highlight of the day!  So with great reluctance I forced myself to leave that beauty, hoping to see it again next year!

One of the things that I do love about traveling with me, is that I am open to new ideas of what to do.  No one else wanted to accompany me, but since I'm fine alone, I didn't have to depend on anyone to do what I wanted to do.  I just did it, loved it and was proud of me for once again doing what I wanted.

Now it was time to return the car.  Off to the airport I headed.  I was wishing that I had seen a whataburger for dinner, but didn't.  Then at the rental car exit there it was!  Yes, when I travel things do work out for me!  I had a nice surprise when I pulled up, they had green chili as an option to go on it.  Now long ago, I used to drive to visit friends in Albuquerque a couple times a year and a s soon as I got to Las Vegas, NM, I knew the way to the same place for their green chili burgers, and here, in TX I was greeted with the surprise of getting to have that again!  After having a small one I returned the car, took the shuttle to the airport and then got the hotel van to the hotel where I played with my pictures for a while before taking the nap that would have to serve me well before my flight home.

I was downstairs early for the shuttle, a very good thing.  They don't have their own, they use a company that goes to several hotels and they sure packed us in!  He was there early so I was lucky, there were 67 people signed up for that time so at least I got on one of the first trips.  Always go down early to catch a shuttle to the airport!  The lines were long to get through security, but moved quickly and soon I was at the gate, ready to leave Dallas after two full days of delights!

Flying into Denver, we were greeted by the most beautiful pink fluffy clouds outside the window!  Absolutely amazing, looked like we were flying through cotton candy!  A lovely welcome home!

And now I'm back with my 4 legged buddies, memories and photos to add to my collections.  Back to my paint peeling, dog parkish backyard and best little friends.  

The End!

I Did Dallas - Day One

Boy, oh boy...did I do Dallas!  I didn't do the main touristy things, but filled my two days with delightful experiences!  It is really no surprise to me that when I got home today, I went straight to bed and slept most of the day.  Much needed sleep and since our weather is dark and cold. It wasn't a bad way to spend the day at all.  Now I'm snuggled up, in my thick flannel gown and having dinner of pizza and Pepsi, not healthy, but perfect today.

Has it really just been two days since my trip began?  I arrived at the dallas airport without any problems.  The place I arrived was under construction so it wasn't quite as convenient as it should have been.  Eventually the rental car van arrived to take everyone to the rental car center.  Luckily the line wasn't too long at the place I was using.  I still had hope I would make the first play of the day.  the young man who helped me was very kind and patient.  I was quite nervous about my rental car adventure, felt much safer when others drive.  

I was prepared, I had my new GPS with me, and had programmed in all the addresses.  AND since I've not used it before, I also had backup plans, each destination had been mapped on mapquest and I'd printed out all the directions too.  the man working with me saw my discomfort over driving in a new city in a different car.  He disappeared for a bit and returned with a key to an SUV for me, a very nice upgrade!  

I always purchase the loss damage waiver.  Most people do not, in fact I know of no one who does.  It's expensive, $29 a day for a car that was $17 a day.  Why would I do that? Well, there are things I think people don't know about.  I know it because of my serious accident long ago.  Usually your auto insurance covers you in a rental car.  In the past that might have been fine, but now that you can be dropped for making a claim or having an accident, or rates can go sky high.  I think that is ridiculous, but it is the way it is.  So do you really want to make a claim on your personal insurance if something happens to the rental car?  The other fine print fact that is little known, your private insurance doesn't cover the cost you will be charged for the days the car is out of service while any repairs are being made.  Now you might be thinking, "well I've never been in an accident" and hopefully you never will be...but that is what I said before I'd had mine too!  If anything happens to the rental car, you walk away with no additional expense.  Small price to pay in the long run, really, believe me.  

So back to my big 'mini' adventure...

Settled into my new SUV, I headed out to tackle the Ft. Worth freeways.  The gps worked great and so along with the typed directions next to me, 'we' made it to the hotel my cousin had reserved for me that was a few minutes from the theaters.  All the hotels had been booked near town due to a big football game and a couple of conferences, so when my cousin found rooms it was a lucky thing.  At the time I didn't stop to wonder why there were rooms available.  As I got closer and closer, I got a little worried, I wasn't in the best area, in fact it didn't feel safe at all.  When I drove up I was quite sure I did not want to spend the night there.  The staff was so nice but when I was hauling my things in, up the stairs and tripping on the uneven floors that seemed to bend as I walked on them, I was even more sure.  Many other things played into my decision too.  I was late and my cousins play started in a few minutes.  I quickly changed, stuffed my clothes into my suitcase, not even getting it to close all the way and called my cousin who lives outside of Dallas.  I told her I didn't feel safe at all and asked if I could stay with her.  I was going to do that to begin with, but my other cousin wanted me at the hotel close to her whole family, so I'd said I would stay with them.  I decided I needed to be comfortable that night and that wasn't going to happen there.  Not in a room alone.  so I rushed down, hauling my things and packed the car and headed out to the first theaters.

 More freeways but with only one wrong turn I found the theater and there was not one parking place!  I was already 15 minutes late.  I parked in a staff place and went in and the man at the box office told me I could park along the drive in the front.  I rushed out, reparked and rushed in and was taken to my seat.  And there I was, the only single person in the theater.  Of course everyone had children, it was Dora, the Explorer.  The little ones were glued to the stage and I saw a look or two from parents wondering what this lady was doing all alone.  Right when I sat down Dora called out Diego and out came my cousin, I hadn't missed a minute of his performance...perfect timing!  He is adorable, and not just because he is my cousin.  The role was quite different than the last one, he had been in a lead role in 'Fiddler on the Roof' in Woodstock.  But now all the little ones were calling out to him and I have to admit that smile on my face was because watching him was so much fun, but it was also fun watching all the little faces glued to the stage.  He was a hit!  There was an intermission and I started talking to some of the adults around me, thought it was best to share that I was there only because my cousin was in the play.  It was so funny how many people were so impressed.  Cute.  Act 2 started and it was action packed, if you were about 3 or 4, oh, how the kids loved the show!  The show ended a bit late and I didn't have much time, my other cousin's show started in 45 minutes at a theater a few miles away and of course, i had no idea if and when i would get there.  I waited in the lobby until the actors came out and as my cousin was posing for pictures with the little ones I approached from behind to give him a hug before I left.  Yes, I guess I did cut in line, but I had a good reason, not much time!  I'm so proud of him, what an entertainer he is! 

Then I was off to play #2!  There were a lot of turns but it did only take about 10 minutes and I arrived and very luckily found a parking place right across the street.  Whew!  Tired yet?  I sure was by this point!  

I walked in just before the doors opened to be seated.  I didn't know what to expect but at least I knew it was an adult show.  My aunt and uncle arrived and we all had seats together.  That was so lucky!  I love when I get to be with my daddy's family, it makes me feel close to him.  The play was hilarious!  My cousin was incredible as one of the main characters and I laughed for over two hours!  What a delightful, energizing experience!  Too bad I don't live there, I would go once a week for the laughter!  And to watch my cousin was a real treat, he is very good.  The role was quite different than the pirate he played in the last play I saw him in, so that was fun too.

After the play we went to dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant near that theater.  Lovely evening.  After dinner he headed back for his night performance and I headed to the Mexican restaurant where all my other cousins were meeting.  That was a lively group and as always, it is fun to see the cousins I was raised with, and their kids.  After that dinner it was time to go home, and even though my cousin at the hotel really wanted me there, I picked my other cousins house where I knew I would get a good nights sleep.  But  there was a big thunderstorm by that time...big!  So my cousins husband drove my rental car to his house and it was a good thing.  The torrential rains were frightening, lightening that lit up the sky.  The drive was very long, on many freeways and I was so relieved to pull up at their house over an hour after leaving the restaurant.  

Lexi, their absolutely adorable golden doodle greeted me at the door.  Now she greets everyone, but I'm quite sure she remembers me because the first toy she brought to me was the remains of one I'd taken her when I was there a couple of months ago.  So cute!  And I do mean remains.  As my cousins husband sai, the octopus is no longer an octopus, but a tritopus...yes there are only three tentacles left and they are barely hanging on.  

What a day!  Finally day one was over and I got a great nights sleep in the nice, quiet, cool bedroom!  Sweet dreams!

Travel Short

And so here I sit, once again on a plane.  This time I'm in the 'cheap seats' and boy does frontier pack them in!  This is the airline that charges for every drink, wondering if the cup of ice is still free.  (yes, just found out it is)

I wonder if others have the same ambiguous feelings when leaving home.  I know it would be hard to believe knowing how much I travel. But truly I just want to hang out at home almost as much as I like to leave.  Each time I convince myself that I need a balance in life.  And I do love traveling!  But I also love the security of home, peeling paint, doggie parkish backyard and all.  Not to mention my wonderful 4 legged companions who keep me company there.  But that mysterious pull to venture from home is strong, and wins out most of the time. 

This trip is a bit different.  I have two cousins who are actors.  They are from the different sides of my family.  Perhaps I have a bit of drama in my blood?  That would explain a lot! They happen to be in plays in the same town just a couple of miles apart.  How could I not head there to see them both?  At this point I'm hoping I stay awake for the whole day.  Arrived at the airport at 6 AM and got to go through the precheck line.  I always go through it with united but I'm on Frontier so I was chosen to randomly go through today.  It's nice, nothing has to come out of the bag and your shoes stay on...but that is what led to the explosives check on my last flight.  This time they swabbed my hands, thank goodness, this time no explosives detected!  

My day will be long and busy.  When I arrive I have less than two hours to pick up my rental car and head for destinations unknown.  Well I know where I'm headed, but in a new city, I'm quite concerned about driving.  And it's far on lots of highways.  Then I will have to change and head to the first play.  I'll have an hour between plays and then will be at the second play of the day.  Two matinees!  After that I'm looking forward to going to dinner with my uncle, my daddy's brother, and his family.  Then dessert with the other side of the family, but I'm thinking I will pass on that even though it will be the only chance to see one of my cousins.  

Tomorrow I've planned a big day too.  I'll have breakfast with my cousins and then head off on my own to the arboretum to see the amazing pumpkin display, houses and gardens built with thousands of pumpkins and gourds.  Looks lovely and the man I talked to there said there are many flowers in bloom, so my good camera is packed and ready.  After the tour of the gardens I'm going to sample chili cheese fries, and a burger, that I saw on one of the food network shows.  I think it was diners, drive ins and dives?  Then back with the rental car, a night at an airport area hotel, and I'll be on a 6:30 AM flight home the next morning.  Short, but action packed!  Just the way I like my short excursions to be!

Reflections

I'm home, almost a week now and the trip seems so long ago and far away!  I have to stop in the middle of my reality to try to recapture the thrill of it all.  

Reality comes back in full force most times and this was no exception...a broken tooth meaning extensive and expensive dental work, a pre cancer removal that had some complications...yes, the reality of life is far from the blissful escapes I manage to create at times.  

Reflecting back...I thought that when I'd completed the 10 1/2 hour flight to Houston from Amsterdam, all would be fine, the major part was over and I was safely back in the US.  How silly of me!

Customs went well, when I was asked what food I was bringing back and I started listing the items...Dutch cookies, cheese, Swiss chocolates, cheese, bread from France...I was told to just go on...guess they didn't care about my foods after all!

I was staying at a hotel near the airport, not a great area, but I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived, it was actually quite a nice hotel.  I was exhausted but there was one more highlight to come, my nephew who I'd not seen in almost five years was going there to visit.  He arrived and although I was so thoroughly exhausted, it was wonderful to see him and catch up.  We went out for a seafood dinner and I was in bed before 7:30, (2:30 AM in amsterdam, quite late) having repacked and printed out my boarding pass so I'd be ready for the final flight home early the next morning.

Got to the airport on the shuttle and went to check in and was told the flight was leaving from another terminal!  Not just a different gate, but terminal!  I always go to the airport very early to have time to deal with whatever surprises come up, so I was only a little worried at that point.  There was a cart that would take me to the other terminal.  I went through security and they did a random swab of my carry on suitcase.  All of a sudden the monitor started flashing a big red box and in it were large capital letters saying, "EXPLOSIVES  DETECTED!". Oh, my!  The fun began.  I said surely that is a joke, nope no joke, guards were walking up from two different directions.  Things were being taken out of my carry on and I was asked if I wanted the hand search there or to go somewhere private.  I said I didn't have a lot of time so there would be fine.  Ridiculous!  Of course I was trying to imagine when my bag could have come in contact with explosives and I'd checked it on the way to Europe so maybe along the way?  

After everything passed inspection the guard asked if I would like to repack my bag and I said no, I'd already done it once, he could do it and try to get it all back in.  He couldn't, what a mess so I left carrying a bag of the things he couldn't get back in.  Still wondering what in the world had caused that.  I'd asked after it was over and was told, oh it could be a lotion!  Really??

I got a ride to the right terminal and even had a bit of time to visit the lounge.  I asked why my flight was boarding an hour early rather than the usual 30 minutes.  I was told I was traveling on the Dreamliner...hmm, wasn't that the new plane that was grounded not so long ago?  Well, yes it was, but it is fine now...oh how I was hoping the drama was over for the day!  

I got ready to leave the lounge and I couldn't find my coat, oh no! That dear old black coat has been around the world with me!  It is old and tattered but perfect for me.  Its an all weather coat with a rather warm zip in/out lining.  Perfect for me everywhere I go.  I went to the desk and the calls began...to the hotel, security, cart office, lost and found...no black coat.  I was so sad but believed it would show up so I was finally leaving, with all the numbers I could call when I got home to continue the search.  As I was sadly turning to leave, the lady who cleans the lounge walked up with my coat!!  It apparently had fallen between two chairs!!  Oh my, I was so happy, relieved and realized I was indeed, back to reality!

My Dreamliner flight was nice, supposedly the soft blue lighting makes things better and the cabin pressure is set at an altitude of 6000 feet rather than the usual 8000 ft, making jet lag less severe.  The plane was continuing on to Tokyo, oh how I wanted to just stay on!  The lady next to me was from Hong Kong.  She was playing Candy Crush Saga.  We talked about it, she said in Hong Kong groups of people gather and play it, from 3 year old children to the elderly who have on their glasses and shaky hands.  She was on level 395!  I'd seen a business man playing it on a train in Paris, standing with his arm wrapped around a pole for support and playing it on the iPad on his way to work.  Apparently it is a worldwide phenomenon!  I had no idea...

And so the trip on the Dreamliner came to an end, another successful holiday came to an end...and I walked right back into reality!

Wonderful sights, food and adventures!  From meeting the wonderful young man who is a software developer on the flight from Denver to DC, who let me try on the prototype glasses that are a computer screen, that was a 'trip' in itself, to the explosives detected happening, another trip was over, and hopefully the memories will remain forever!

Now, where to next?  

Ciao Europe, Once Again

And so, once again I say goodbye to a European adventure as I head home to reality.  I'm on a 10 1/2 hour flight from Amsterdam to Houston, where I'll spend the night before continuing home.  

My trip was short, but the adventure seemed to have lasted weeks.  As always, so many thoughts crowd into my head, people I've met, foods I've eaten, places I've seen, how brave I've been...and perhaps most of all, what I've felt.

Being alone, even as busy as I've been, allows time for reflection, valuable time, an important part of the journey I've realized. I live alone, I've become accustomed to it because of lack of an alternative, and now I'm content.  All of my life I have done things for others, put them first.  How lucky I am to have done that, to have touched the world in many different ways with kindness and love.  And how lucky I am to have figured out it is fine to do things for myself and let my kindness, thoughtfulness and love extend to myself.  Yes, I have to admit I spoil me, just like I used to spoil others, and it's nice.  There is no one else to do it for me, so why not do the things you love?  So here I am returning from one more life enriching experience, another gift to myself.

I bring back things from my trips.  My collections are simple, I don't spend time shopping anymore.  I collect bookmarks and calendars, and usually try to find a magnet that fits the trip well.  My fridge is filled with memories, along with my calendar wall.  No more trinkets, out of room.  What I also bring back are pictures, some of which will become greeting cards; I bring back memories, and a new sense of me.  I impress myself in ways I couldn't have imagined, each trip is a personal accomplishment.  That may sound strange to many people, people who have never doubted themselves, never been controlled by fear, never lacked confidence.  For me, travel is so much more than seeing the world.

I may not have climbed Mt. Everest, but I climbed my personal Everest.  I accomplished and did things I never would have dreamed of a few years ago.  I am proud of what I do, a sense of satisfaction sometimes overwhelms me over where I've come from and who I am becoming...kinda brave actually.  :-)

Enough about me, back to the journey...

Amsterdam, by the time the train arrived, it was dark, cold and very rainy.  So much for heading into town to take photos.  The rest of the trip was perfect so I wasn't too concerned about the weather at that point.  Schlipol airport has some great stores so that was the extent of my evening's activities.  I ate fries and a dutch pancake, both far from the best I've had but the only choices so I decided it was better than nothing.

The biggest disappointment there was over the cheese.  When I was there in the spring, my driver had taken me to a cheese shop in central Amsterdam for a cheese tasting experience.  Delicious cheeses!  There was one that was my favorite by far, orange something.  Unfortunately my visa card wasn't working and since it was the beginning of the trip I had to be very careful with my cash, so I only purchased one small block of the delicious cheese and one of another I liked.  Did you know that as cheese ages it gets harder?  (apparently I'd forgotten to tell the charge card company I was traveling so once I called to inquire what the problem was, it was fixed, but that didn't help me at this point.). So at that moment I knew I would be back and stock up on the cheese I love.  And finally I was going to do that!

However due to the train delay of almost two hours, I got to my hotel close to 6 PM.  I had the lady at reception call the store for me, and yes, indeed it did close within minutes so I could never make it there.  The lady at the hotel assured me that the brand I wanted was at the airport so I'd be fine.  I decided to call the store back to be sure the orange something cheese would be there.  Well the person I spoke to said they had no 'orange something' cheese.  Yes they did, I insisted!  I had saved the wrapper at home all these months and told her the first word was orange, the second word started with an m but was in Dutch.  She thought and thought and then said the only thing she could think of was that they make an orange mustard cheese around Queens Day, could I have been in town around that time? Yes, that is exactly the time I was there...finally they realized I wasn't crazy...oh that cheese is only made at that time of year, there isn't any to be found now!!  All that planning and the cheese isn't even available!  I was so disappointed, no orange mustard cheese to be had.  At least I'd hadn't given up and now I know what it is, when they have it and she said that I can order it in May.  So in a way mission was accomplished. And yes, that brand was all over the airport past passport control so I did come back with cheeses, just not the ONE I wanted. So knowing that I relaxed and browsed the airport and then repacked and did get a good nights sleep before the long journey home.  

I have not flown internationally out of Amsterdam so I found an interesting difference there.  You go through  passport control and then have full access to the rest of the airport.  Security isn't until you reach your gate!  That felt a bit uncomfortable, knowing that everyone roaming past passport control still hadn't gone through a security check.  Not very comforting at all.  I mentioned that to a man working in the lounge and he very rudely answered that I was NOT in America and they do things differently there!  I have been in many airports around the world and have never been in one that did it that way but I decided that rude man was not interested  in that fact at all.  And honestly, I was quite relieved when it was time to check into my flight and go to a secure area.  Everyone had shown a passport and boarding pass at least.

Finally I boarded and began the long flight home...

Oh, My Aching Feet!

I haven't written about how much I've walked, truly miles and miles and miles!!  Arriving back in Paris from Geneva meant walking from the grande lignes, main trains, to the RER around Paris trains.  Oh I was exhausted!  Found the right RER, the D, but the train didn't come and didn't come.  Finally I asked two young ladies next to me what was going on and they explained that it is one that has much fewer trains on the weekend, but at least it wasn't RER A that wasn't running at all.  Yes, good thing!  One of the others I was on was packed and it didn't go and didn't go, and someone said that one of the lines was on strike so more people were packed on this one to get where they needed to go.  So I feel lucky the strikes and shut downs didn't effect me, I hadn't mapped out alternative routes not knowing what could happen.  After that I picked up a map in case I needed to make alternate plans in the future.

So as I was standing with hundreds of people, as much as I LOVE Paris, I was honestly thinking I would be happy to be home where I get in my car and get where I need to be...but alas, there were/will be miles more to walk before arriving home to my easy transportation.  The trains work great in Paris and I'm getting quite good at managing them, but my feet, my legs and many of my muscles are paying a price for my free spirit!

Eventually the train arrived and we climbed aboard, having to stand packed in and oh so hot, for the two stops to my hotel.  That is a huge station and it was a long way to walk to get out of the station and across the street to my hotel, but no choice, I had to make it.  When I arrived, there was a long line to check in...was there not going to be any break for my weary body?  Apparently not!  One man started talking to me in Portuguese, I spoke back in English and he apologized for thinking I was with the big tour group from brazil, no apology necessary.  Everywhere I go, I meet Portuguese speaking people, usually from brazil, but sometimes from Portugal...this trip was no exception.  Met a whole family from brazil on the train to Giverny and now the big tour group.

When I first arrived at the hotel days before, I was given a 'nice' room.  Really?  Do I look stupid? It was right in front of the busy train station and the noise was horrible!  Loud honking, sirens, shouting...not going to work for poor me who desperately needed sleep after about 36 sleepless hours.  So down I went to the desk and requested another room.  Went in to look at it before moving all my things and the toilet was constantly running, very loudly, nothing stopped it...so I went back down to the desk and requester another room, a QUIET one!  Next room I walked into, faced an indoor courtyard and seemed very delightfully quiet, thank goodness!  Well, or so I thought...moved all my things in, and a loud banging started...then scraping and screeching?  REALLY?  I went back to the front desk and the lady said that they were almost out of rooms and something would be wrong with any room I would get, it is an old hotel.  The room was so hot, I requested a fan, thinking I would be cold and it would cover the noise of the banging.  I fell asleep for a couple of hours and no fan ever came, so I slept very little with the noise coming from the wall, damn, horrible night!  And so hot!  I knew the hotel was full, imagine paying almost $300 for that, not to mention the room was so small I could barely get around the bed!  When I left the next morning I told the reception girl everything.  She wrote it all down on the computer and promised that she would make a note for me to get a quiet room when I returned.  Well, when I finally got to the desk this time, there was no note, no nothing and the first room they tried to give me was next to the one that had the banging pipes, I refused and the man just stared at me.  Do people really think they can abuse the guests like that?  Apparently!  I continued to refuse and he realized I meant NO, so he gave me a room on the top floor that he guaranteed was quiet, yep, I was really going to trust them!  I went up, and up, and walked into a room so small I would trip on the desk chair getting to the bathroom whose door couldn't open all the way because of the toilet, you had to close it before sitting down, crazy...but other than a constantly dripping tub faucet, it did seem quiet.  I requested a fan and left for my evening.  When I returned no fan, and they didn't know where to find one.  At least the concierge/bellman turned the switch down for me and the room ac went on, cooled me off and drowned the sound of the running faucet.  Finally a good night's sleep!

(still on train to Amsterdam...we made it to Brussels.  I went back to be sure no one walked off with my luggage that is just in an open compartment by the doors, such a strange concept, to put your luggage in and walk away.  So funny, when I went back to check on my luggage two men were back there checking on theirs too...guess what, we had to laugh, we are all Americans, apparently the only ones who don't trust that our luggage will remain when people leave...one more stop, in Rotterdam, and then to Amsterdam central station.  There I will have to find the train to the airport and from there find my shuttle to the airport hotel where I'm spending the night before my early morning flight tomorrow.)

(wait, there is an announcement, free meals to everyone in 2nd class because of the delay.  Decided to walk up the 5 cars to the Bar car and see what the meal was.  Well, I was given two boxes.  I told him I was alone and he said to save the extra one.  I said I was going to the US tomorrow and he said take it, it was good for years!  That wasn't great news I decided.  It contains a cold tomato pasta which isn't bad, with veggies and tomatoes, some jarred tuna I didnt open, applesauce compote, a tiny plastic cup of water, some crackers, snacks and cookies.  I gave the second one to a lady who didn't go get hers.  One was quite enough!  But the tomato salad was good, especially with a slice of the delicious olive bread I bought at a boulangerie in Paris before leaving.)

So back to my night in Paris...after resigning myself to the tiny closet like room, I headed out for something I've really been looking forward to, my cup of the best hot chocolate in the world!  I had better directions this time so back to the station I went and boarded the first train, there would be a change, but what is that inconvenience and all that walking when the best hot chocolate in the world awaits?  I got to the station and only needed to ask directions once and there it was, the little old street that holds the secret of the divine hot chocolate.  The restaurant was packed, I'd read it had wonderful food too and watching it go by as I waited for a table, I realized I'd not eaten all day.  So when I was seated, I decided on the beef stew made with wine and olives, it was excellent!  After that nice hot meal and the 'to die for' hot chocolate, it was back out in the cold for two more metro changes to see the Eiffel tower, a must for me.  I did it, and after much walking to and between metros, I turned the corner, and there was the tower lit up in the dark.  Such an amazing sight, the sheer size alone is unbelievable.  I wished I could go closer, but it was late and I knew my feet wouldn't make it, so I stood for 20 minutes waiting for the sparkling that would start on the hour.  For five minutes that extraordinary monument sparkles in the dark, absolutely beautiful!  And finally, it was time to head back to the hotel, two more metros...more walking.  I made it safely and am quite sure I was asleep within minutes and finally, for the first night here, I slept the entire night!

This morning was short.  I ended up not having enough time to get to the Sacre Couer, I probably had time, but if the buses didn't run right, I would miss my train, so painfully I passed up that plan, next time!  I stopped at the boulangerie and bought a delicious tartelette (?) with cheese, tomatoes, bacon and olives, a small loaf of olive bread, and some macaroons, and my trip was complete, time to move on...to the current train I'm on now.  The sweet young lady at the boulangerie gave me the gift of a pastry, kind of a large donut hole, truly delicious, on the list of things to eat next trip too!

And now...next stop...Amsterdam!