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Sydney-Bangkok-Dubai-DUTCHLAND
Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands
Dear friends and family,
As you all know I have an award winning mind for a forgetful memory, but never have a lack of something to say, which is why I decided to document my trip because I know that I am very important. Perhaps it is also because I cannot understand a word anyone says in day to day conversation in the Netherlands and need someone to talk to...that responsibility falls to you lovely people :)
I'm writing/typing to you now from the lovely little town where Dave's parents live called Hellevoetsluis and surprisingly the past week I have bought along all of the nice, hot and 28 degree weather, unlike what I hear you are currently experiencing in Australia. It is an extremely unusual town where, like the rest of the Netherlands, every house looks the same and there is a beautiful abundance of green grass, and a villianous horde of cyclists (at least they have their own bike lanes). All in all, a wonderful experience so far, but "How was the flight," you ask. PLEASE DONT ASK, it was the worst 26 hours of travel I have ever experienced.
I shall ellaborate....
With my inclining age and inherent wisdom I have come to terms that I shall never believe the word of mouth, unless a certain amount of sustainable proof is available. My mother, Hanie, is actually known to be having a love affair with Emirates the airline. She boasts it as the luxury of air travel today, whether you be sitting in Economy or first class. The air hostesses are hospitable and of course the flight plan is always on time. To put it quite simply you wouldn't need to join the mile high club, but if you did the bathroom would be bigger than a queen sized bed. So naturally because I believe my mother...whom has never flown Emirates before, that this is going to be better than the destination itself! I shall paint a picture of how untrue it all really was, and by the way it is not pretty...I'm a horrible artist.
Running through the airport with my bag in hand, my brother James carrying the heavier one, we race to the check in desk as I had misjudged the time to arrive and of course Sydney traffic. Luckily I had checked in online, and there was no line...perhaps because I was the last one they were waiting for, but I deemed it as the first bump in the road. After mum parked the car we all sat in the food court seats, I was counting down the time to my flight, mum and James were most likely dreading the loss of such a lovable daughter and inspirational sister ;) Later on I slowly went through customs, got stopped for a random bomb check, and as I was cleared of any guilt I may have, I swear the officer looked slightly displeased. At 6:40pm my flight was meant to be in the air, but at this time no one had been let onto the plane and I was sitting on the carpet without a seat. Eventually after visting the vending machine and using all my remaining phone credit we took off at 7:30pm, May 17th, 2012.
After a stop in Bangkok and Dubai, pressing the flight attendant button many times to get one drink, and being confined to what I would call "cage economy" I arrived. Our flight arrival was an hour late due to the late arrival and departure at BOTH stopovers. Basically if I did not have my neck pillow, I actually don't know if I would be coming off the flight without a straight jacket.
So the lesson here is that it is better to use a neck pillow and sleep like a drooling tourist/asian, than to come out the other side mentally disabled. Or just don't fly emirates!
Anyway, its a week and one day into my stay and I am missing you all, but not enough to come home yet. Dave has been very hospitable and taken me to all these lovely tourist places that I know he dreads each time. Rotterdam, a bustling city where you can buy all the clothes you need for a tiny price. Volendam, to take some dutch costume pictures by the sea side and Dom Bosch, for dinner with a coal bbq! No, I have not been to Amsterdam yet, but when I do I shall let you know. Next week Dave and I are moving to his place in Eindhoven and its a big student town with an abundace of bars and nightlife. Although Sally you would like it, I went to a restaurant last night in a city called Rotterdam for Dave's sister, Kim, it was her birthday. It was a five course meal with wine tasting! And that was after a day of shopping and buying myself a whole new European wardrobe, that unfortunately does not consist of heels because believe it or not ladies, they do not where them here!!! Although my favourite thing I shall have to say is that in Summer the sunlight is high up in the sky until at least 10pm at night, sometimes its still just only getting dark at 11...I know..AWESOME! Everything is very casual and no one goes out until 12am or later on the weekends, it is definately the other side of the world.
Jade x
- comments
Mum Hey Jade Nice blog you do have a flair for writing
jolikeduh Bangkok eh? ;)
Your bro Funny entertaining. My mother, Hanie, is actually known to be having a love affair with Emirates the airline. Laughed out loud.
Robyn Brooks you have to go bike riding I have friends there at the moment and are loving it.....but enjoy the nightlife after 12!!!