It is finally here! After so much training and preparation it feels surreal. I am sad to leave Trish behind but I am excited to go to Africa for the first time. I love travel and the adventure that comes with it. I especially love it when I am going somewhere exciting and new. I booked my flight to Amsterdam first class using Delta Sky Miles. I did this because I really wanted the transatlantic leg home to be comfortable and it kept my expenses down. I will be tired from the exertion and sad because it is over, so a little luxury will ease the pain during the return trip. The benefit is that my first leg is also in luxury while I am fresh and excited.
Trish drove me to the airport and we had brunch at Shula's. We shared an omelet. She walked me to security and waited until I was through before she left. She is very sweet to do all that. Once on the jet, we taxied out and then stopped. I figured something was wrong and sure enough we had an indicator blinking. We taxied back to the gate, but it was fixed soon and we were on our way. I had called and reserved a seat on the next flight to Amsterdam from Atlanta just in case. I actually booked a 26 hour layover in Amsterdam on the way to reduce the risk of missing my flight to Africa. The tour group can and will leave without you if you miss that flight. Like any good engineer and project manager, I was reducing the risk! Jim and Geena should be proud. Nothing to do now but sit back and relax.
I made it to Atlanta in enough time to make the original connection and my bag even made it. So I landed in Amsterdam with 26 hours to kill. On the jet from Atlanta I met a nice elderly couple that were seated apart by one row. I offered to switch with the husband but the lady was concerned I might get trapped near the window since I had chosen an aisle. As it turned out the seat next to her husband was empty anyway so there was no need. While we chatted I found out she had a total knee replacement 4 months earlier. I told her I was a Biomedical Engineer and we chatted a while about how she was recovering. She moved up to sit next to her husband once the cabin door closed saying she would stay and chat but her husband might get mad. She was quite charming.
I used my Marriott points and stayed near Schipol airport to make the next morning's departure easy. When I got on the shuttle bus, the nice man and lady from the jet were on it too. When we arrived at the hotel, there were no rooms ready since it was 6:30 am. The elderly couple invited me to have breakfast with them. There names were Joe and Inger. Joe was a salesman for a newspaper and likes to soar. Inger is Norwegian and was a flight attendant for Pan Am and Delta. Joe told me he was 83 but Inger remained silent about her age. When I asked how long they had been married they answered "forever". They were delightful company and great examples of how to life long productive and active lives.
After breakfast, I left my wheeled bag with the front desk and explored the park next to the hotel. It was really nice. I kept my backpack on for the hike as a warmup. I hiked about 3 miles through forest and around a lake. There were many bikers, joggers and people walking their dogs. It was peaceful and calming. It seems to be a dog friendly park. After a few hours of quiet reflection, I had seen most of the park so I walked back to the hotel for lunch. I caught the shuttle back to Schipol and took the train to downtown.
Amsterdam is a beautiful city. The last and only time I visited before, it was in winter so I could not appreciate the outdoors as much. This trip however, it was a beautiful day to wander and enjoy the sights. I saw the museums last trip so this time I just wandered around the side streets past canals and shops until I was tired then I headed back to the hotel for an early bedtime. This trip is not about the Netherlands, it is about climbing to the highest point in Africa so I will remain focused and ensure I arrive rested and in top condition to make the ascent. Tomorrow I fly to the dark continent.
I was awake early as usual when I travel to Europe. I checked my supplies and got everything repacked out of nervous habit. I am glad I chose the layover in Amsterdam because I feel rested and excited. Yesterday I was beat. I caught the shuttle to the airport 3 1/2 hours before my flight. It was a good thing too as I only have about 40 minutes to spare once I was through check in and security. I will be off the grid for a while. If I have time I will post at the lodge before I climb. No guarantees though, I might be too enthralled with Africa to even open my iPad.
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