Note from May 17:
I got home from my trip to Amsterdam, Glasgow and Edinburgh – with not much excitement to tell about. It was a lovely trip. In summary – I’m not sure when I’ll get pictures posted – I’m still working on the ones from Ireland (and that was the end of March!!) what you’re seeing here is a backlog of notes from the trip that I compiled – day by day… that are just now getting posted (but on the dates it happened instead of now…)
If there’s one thing I can say for travelling, it’s that there’s never a dull moment. There’s always something to see, explore, do, and enjoy. And getting lost – well, it’s half the fun.
So, I made it out of Glasgow about 3 in the afternoon (an hour late). I had picked up my heavy roller bag wrong when I tossed it on the conveyer to be checked into the belly of the plane, and my back was not happy (spasms). I figured eh, I’m going to be sitting on a flight for a while, so it’s not going to be a big huge deal.
I arrive in Amsterdam, which has to be the most confusing airport I’ve been in in a while. I had about 30 minutes between flights since the one from Glasgow had left late – and I figured my bags just weren’t going to make it. On the bright side, at least I would be at home – when/if they didn’t.
I wandered around for a bit – and then finally figured out where the heck my flight was supposed to be out of. My back was still bothering me (no more spasms, but now a dull ache had set in) and I was thinking well, I’m halfway home – so that’s good at least – once I’m there, I can take a muscle relaxer and get some sleep.
The plane from Amsterdam left on time, and when I got to Berlin, there was no border patrol (EU flight- remember) and the customs agents appeared to have gone home as well. I waited on my bags, and stood there and waited some more. The plane had been full of Japanese tour groups (2 of them in fact) and they had gotten all their luggage. A woman with a small baby had gotten hers… and then came the “END” sign. That’s the end of everything in the plane. There is no more.
So, my bags didn’t make it – not that I’d expected them to – honestly. But neither had several of the other passengers – who had come from London’s Heathrow (new terminal) too. We all promptly marched down to the lost baggage office, and sure enough, discovered that our bags were still in Amsterdam (or Heathrow for those that were from London.). Luckily for me, I was home – I got a 25 eur KLM voucher, and a promise my bags would be in my hands sometime “tomorrow”.
I guess the bright side (thank God for small favors!) – I didn’t have to lug my heavy bag down the stairs, into the train, up the stairs, onto a bus, off a bus, down more stairs, onto a different train, up the stairs, onto a bus, off a bus, up the cobblestones, up the stairs, and into the apartment. I can only imagine how my back would have screamed at me if I had had to do that. In addition, I was home -which meant I had all my electronics (in my backpack), my keys, and my work badge – as well as everything I could possibly need there – except a toothbrush and my makeup. Not a bad deal. I guess if your bags have to be lost, it’s best on the trip home – than on the trip to the destination….
Oh re the bags – yes, they finally made it – on the 14th, about 11 am. Not too bad. I sent a bunch of packages, went to dinner, and then back to work on the 15th.
And In case your counting – that was 4 cities in 5 days – Berlin, Amsterdam, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Berlin – not half bad for a break I’d say.
