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.