Troubled traveller

There are few things that keep me up at night. Sure I worry, but when something goes wrong I usually just brush it off. As an avid traveller I have been robbed, I have got lost numerous times, I have lost numerous items, but up to this point I have never missed a flight. Missing flights are what nightmares are made of for a traveller. Not the kind of mishap when you miss a connecting flight; airlines cover that usually. It's missing a flight by your own error that sends shivers through your bank account. Insurance won't cover that!

My nightmare comes to life

Yesterday I was well set up to make it to my flight at 4:35pm from Amsterdam to Calgary. I arrived in Amsterdam before 2pm by train, then hurried back to my hostel and picked up my extra luggage. As I shuffled back to Amsterdam Centraal Station, I knew I had mere minutes to catch my train to the airport. With my cumbersome backpack on plus my overly large purse and bloated carry-on bag, I started to run.

As I watched the train doors shut I yelled "HOLD THE TRAIN" and despite the vast knowledge of English in Holland, the door was not held. In a blur of frustration I collapsed to the floor quite dramatically and cursed profusely. Two tracks over, a group of rude British men mocked me. I will admit, my excessive luggage looked quite droll, but that missed train could be the reason I missed my first flight in all my years of globetrotting.

I meandered back to the television and saw another train leaving to Schipol airport in 15 minutes. Of course, it happened to be the same train those brutish British men were waiting at. As the escalator slowly brought me to their track, the laughter persisted. Big gulping gasps of giggles. One even ventured so far as to reenact my theatrical tumble to the ground. Ha ha ha.

The train got me to the airport right at 3pm. That gave me 1.5 hours to check in. Plenty of time! However, at the automated checkin desk the blinking screen told me boarding was closed. I was redirected to the ticketing booth and I demanded why I wasn't able to board my flight. A real human being behind the desk told me that, in fact, I had missed the flight by hours. It left at 12:30pm.

What happened? How could I have made such a grave error. The truth, and total truth, is not one I like to admit. I read my itinerary wrong. My flight from Calgary to Edmonton was to leave at 4:35pm. I scheduled my entire departure around the second leg of my journey home. Surprisingly, I was extremely calm. There was absolutely nothing I could do to change the circumstance, so why waste energy. My serene demeanour could also be attributed to my prior outburst. I think I let out enough emotion and frustration to last three more missed flights *knock on wood*

My travel agent managed to find me a new flight leaving the next morning at 8am for the very low price of $600. A very expensive lesson I'd say. You better believe I will be quadruple checking every flight departure time from here on out!

The delays continue

Yet here I sit in Amsterdam's Schipol airport, with another delay. My new flight to Detroit is delayed by THREE hours, meaning my connection to Minneapolis would be long gone by the time I arrived. Again, I shuffled all my luggage to the ticketing desk and crossed my fingers the clerk would find a solution. As she clicked through the options, I started rambling about how I am ready to go home. After over a month in Russia and now my European adventures behind me, all I want to do is crawl into my bathtub and soak until I turn into a prune.

My time in Sochi perked the clerk's interests. When she found out I had volunteered for both the Olympics and Paralympics, she said she would make a special exception and get me on a flight leaving directly to Minneapolis. I was elated! My time in Sochi saved the day! The clerk said I deserved a gold medal for the work I had done there, but the best she could do was get me to Minneapolis. At this point, that news was better than any gold medal to me.

Longing for Canada

Usually when a trip comes to an end, I am sad to return home. This trip, however, I am completely ready to get back to my life in Edmonton. I miss my condo, my job, my family, my friends. In fact, as I was loading my big backpack onto the scale, the waist strap completely broke off. Maybe this is a sign my backpacking days are coming to an end? I just can't imagine myself laying around on a cruise ship, or lord forbid, using a ROLLING SUITCASE! It goes against every fiber of my being. As I look around the airport at the ease of those rolling suitcases, I feel I may be on the verge of a change in my life. A change my back may soon thank me for.

Don't get me wrong, I'll still be backpacking and hiking and adventuring, but another two month long romp across the globe may not be my first choice for my next holiday. I plan on staying far away from an airport for a little while at least.

I'd like to thank my Strasbourg family for the very relaxing few days at chateau Knecht! I hope to see you all again soon! Cross your fingers that all my flights stay on track. I don't know if I can take another delay. Canada here I come!

Don't forget! I'm running a half marathon for the Children's Wish Foundation. If you are interesting in making a donation to motivate me to run faster, here's the link. Thank you for following my journey through Russia and beyond. It's been a slice!

With Daniele and little Sunny. 

Thierry, myself, Regine, and the man Jacky! Thanks again for the great hospitality! Come visit anytime in Canada.

La jolie France!!

Here in France my french language skills are improving remarkably everyday. Why couldn't Russian have been this easy for me? Looks like I need to go back to Russia after improving my vocabulary. Practicing a language in that country (usually around people who don't speak English) is the best way to improve. Maybe next time I need to go to Siberia then!

With my trip soon coming to an end, I want to say a special thank you to my volunteer teams from Sochi. While I spend my days on trains and walking about some beautiful European cities, I can't help but think about Sochi and all the people I met. It feels like it was so long ago, but the memories remain vibrant and close to my heart. I made promises to so many to come back and visit. One day I hope to fulfill those promises. In remembrance of all the great memories from Sochi, because it really is the people that make the place memorable, here are the teams I worked with at the Olympics and Paralympics. Thank you again for the memories!

Press assistants unite! Team Sanki, Olympics 2014

Family of press assistants at the Paralympic Medals Plaza

Back to Europe!

Of course, I have more photos of my travels through Europe. After Reims, my friend Julia and I visited Luxembourg and then Strasbourg. The two bourgs!

Always sending postcards!

The lovely case mates of Luxembourg.

Getting lost in the case mates (catacombs twist and turn beneath the city).

Flowers in full bloom in March. Incredible! Especially since there is SNOW back home!

Cooking away at our couchsurfer's place. Lots of veggies to counteract all the chocolate and cookies we devour during the day.

Finally some sun! Vitamin D!

Luxembourg; a mix of old and new.

My history

When I was about 6 months old, my family moved to Lahr, Germany, where my father worked on the Canadian forces military base. This is where he became very good friends with Jacky Knecht. Since I was a child, Uncle Jacky has called us every Christmas and I, being the dorky kid I was, would write letters to him as well. Jacky and his lovely family live in Strasbourg, a city which has been German and French, back and forth through history. There is a unique mix of German architecture and Alsacian/French culture, which makes the city a must see!

The second bourg; Strasbourg. This is the astronomical clock inside the cathedral.

Typical tourist.

Cheesy tourist.

Used book market. Nous avons acheté des livres pour les enfants pour pratiqué notre français. 

German influence is clear in this city.

Chateau Pourtales, Strasbourg.

Haha! This picture amuses me beyond description!

Avec Daniele, la femme du Jacky.

Saying farewell to Julia :(

La dernier photo.

Back to reality on Monday... 

I can't wait to see everyone back home, and one day soon I will return to Russia, and most likely France! You haven't seen the last of this lady, I promise you that! 

European expedition

As promised, here is an update from my trip through Europe. I am travelling with my friend Julia. We met two years ago when she surfed my couch in Calgary. Never heard of couchsurfing? Well, it's one of the best travelling networks around. When I am home, I open my doors to travellers. When I am abroad, I stay with locals. For more information about couchsurfing, there's a wikipedia page. 
I used couchsurfing last time I was in Europe and it made my trip exceptional and unforgettable. When you stay with locals, you get the inside scoop on the city you are visiting. This time in Europe has been no different. I've seen and done things I would never have done on my own. Here's a look at my trip so far in photos.

Amsterdam

My dear Julia and the first of many waffles.

Bicycles everywhere!

Never heard of a framberry before.

Tulips galore!

On the train to Rotterdam.

Riding bicycles provided by our wonderful couchsurfing host Tristan. 

Touring the city with couchsurfer Jan.

Onto Antwerp, Belgium. 

Rain in Brugge, Belgium.

Brugge is a beautiful city! So much history. 

Onto Reims, France.

Tasting Champagne in the champagne region of France.

Next stop is Luxembourg and then Strasbourg where my family lives. It's strange to think I was in Sochi exactly a week ago. It feels like it was a lifetime ago. I miss the people the most, but I also miss the routine and working the games. It gave me such joy to know I was helping bring the Olympics and Paralympics to life. Perhaps I am having Olympic withdrawals. This might take a while to get over... I return to Canada on March 30. Getting back into the swing of things will be tough, but I am actually really looking forward to going back to work!