Travel Hiccups

I know a lot of people complain about the headache that is air travel, but to be honest, I rarely have issues. And I fly a lot. And in strange, foreign countries, on odd airlines. 

I choose to fly nearly exclusively on Delta or SkyTeam.  They've proven to me over the past few years that they rarely have, incidents, and when they do, they fix them. Also, the benefits of status aren't too shabby. 

I should have known getting back to Belgium wouldn't go smoothly. The exit hadn't flowed since the start. I was supposed to fly out over a week ago, but unexpectedly stayed an extra week to finish up on my condo purchase, puppy sit and deal with some health issues.

Is there anything cuter in life than a puppy belly?!

I finally boarded a plane yesterday heading to Atlanta scheduled to head on to Amsterdam and finally Brussels. The first flight was smooth. It was the ATL-->AMS that went wrong.  

I boarded around 7:30pm, got ready to sleep, started reading a magazine and soon fell asleep. As I fell asleep, I knew we hadn't taken off but didn't worry. They always board super early for international flights.  After what felt like a decent nap, I noticed we were still on the ground. Apparently, there was a mechanical issue, so I went back to sleep. Then I heard them announce that people could deplane if they'd like. I ignored it and slept more. Once I woke up, nearly fully rested, I noticed we were still on the ground. It was 1:30am.  

At 2am, they cancelled my flight and deplaned all of us.

2am check in to the hotel.  Feeling a little ripe. 

The next steps went fairly smoothly. As we walked back into the terminal, our boarding passes were scanned and each person was given a ticket with a hotel voucher. You could wait and rebook, but I figured calling would be faster. 

I headed to my assigned airport hotel (thanks Marriott for the great bed!) and called Delta in route. I got rebooked on a flight the next afternoon (technically later that afternoon) from Atlanta - - >New York - - >Brussels. 

But I did get to run into one of my coworkers unexpected in the airport. I look great, sans makeup and plus glasses. 

Check-in was super speedy.  I slept as late as I could and headed back to the airport. Now I'm delayed again due to bad thunderstorms in Atlanta. 

Atlanta closed down for thunderstorms. 

“​Will I ever get home?! ”

Copenhagen for a Girl's Weekend

I'm a person who wishes she had more time to put into girlfriend relationships, but my lifestyle rarely allows it. I work with mostly men and have a work calendar that leaves little space for socializing. Yet, I believe these friendships are my true loves in life. 

Friday served as my first time back. It was... sombering. 

I grew up a total tomboy. I loved sports, dirt and the occasional fight. By the time I reached high school, I was more than a little rough around the edges. Then I found myself at a refined Southern all-girls boarding school. I learned how to hug, dance, share dreams and suffer heartbreaks. I helped girlfriends through major life tragedies, not yet realizing how much I'd lean on them when my dad died. Most of all,  I realized smart, kind women should serve as your backbone. 

Copenhagen was full of Instagram worthy restaurants.  

Due to international moves and a crazy travel schedule, sustaining and cultivating friendships has been difficult over the past five years. Once I realized what I'd lost, I dedicate time and effort into renewing my lady friendships, but it isn't always that easy. The whole process began with writing a blind date note to an upstairs neighbor. She accepted and a lovely friendship flourished. Openly (and a little desperately) putting myself out there helped grow more and more European-based friendships. 

It took work; it took humiliation; it took vulnerability.  None of which come easy.

I couldn't walk pass a flock with birds without a picture. 

But it's paid off. I have some of the most amazing women who I can call best friends. The list isn't long. I hope everyone that is on there knows the depths that I love, cherish and need them. Some are new and some have over two decades of growth (and then there is my sister who wins for putting up with every phase, frustration and locale I've embraced. She's who has taught me unconditional love.)

Copenhagen, you always shine. Even in the rain. 

This past weekend, I took a rare girl's weekend. Since moving to Europe, they have been nearly extinct. I grabbed a flight on Friday up to Copenhagen.  The theme of the weekend was to eat, drink and have the merriest of times, which included finally eating at the Street Food Market, great brunches, long walks and an evening at Tivoli Gardens running around riding roller coasters and eating cotton candy. Anyone that knows me knows I can't turn down a great (or even mediocre) rollercoaster.  

A brief (and yummy!) stop through Frankfurt before barreling back home to Belgium. 

And then, I was back boarding a flight home. During a long stopover in Frankfurt, I grabbed some of the best airport food at COA--think edamame, fresh spring rolls and thai beef salad. A few trains and a tram later, I crawled into bed with a very, very crazy week....month...ahead.

“I like these reminders to adventurer like there is no tomorrow. These are the memories that count.”