The last few days...

July 8

Wow! It sure has been crazy here and there and everywhere. I thought I was done at school on Thursday afternoon when I locked my office doors, but I unlocked those doors again on Friday morning for 3 hours. After waking up at 4:30 that morning to begin packing, then rushing over to school to work, then coming home to finish packing, I was finally on my way to the airport at 12:30. A few stops along the way delayed us even more...but at 2:15 we safely arrived at the departure drop-off at YVR. After checking in luggage (I purchased an 'Options Plus' ticket, which I would recommend to anyone who travels with Air-Transat ($60): it gives you 10kg more checked luggage, seating near the front, a comfort kit (blanket, socks, eye cover, headphones), wine, champagne, and a shot of other alcoholic beverage) which was 3kg over, I made my way to the security and was sent to the front of a line-up (all because of Options Plus) and was through security in no time! I waited for an hour or so in the waiting room to board the plane, and because of Options Plus I was one of the first passengers to board. I found my seat, 5k, near the exit and began making myself at home for the next 9.5-10 hours. Sleeping was no problem....I saw: 'Time remaining till destination: 7:22 hours' and then the next time it read '1:32 hours'.

July 9

Although Options Plus tagged my checked luggage as 'priority' I still had to wait 45 minutes before I had collected those two pink suitcases. I walked passed rows of people who were waiting for a passenger, until I met my aunt and uncle and two of their children. Driving the 1-hr distance to their home, I put down my suitcases, sat down for a few moments with my cousins and aunt and uncle and went off to visit my omas and opa. Once back at 'home', the family piled in the excursion and we enjoyed icecream together!

July 10

I enjoy Sundays in Holland for the fact that I am always welcome to eat by my opa and oma: Roast (rolade), cooked pears, potato salad, chicken soup, apple sauce and not to forget the double vla with...whipping cream! So this Sunday was no different than most Sundays in Holland for me. My oma walked with me to church, after church we walked to their house and coffee and apple pie and then lunch and by 3:00pm opa was getting tired so I left. Once back 'home' I had more food and drink (it seems like all I do here is eat, drink, sleep!) and then I went to church with my aunt and uncle.

July 11

Talk about long 'lost' cousins....well I went to visit them today! I haven't seen this family for 13 years. However, after breaking the 'shy' barrier, it felt like I had seen them last year. My cousin picked me up from the train station (I had taken the train most of the way) and we drove to their house. After questions and answers, and more food, I went to town with my two cousins. A few hours later we returned, made spaghetti and I was back at 'home' at 7:30. A note to travellers: when buying a train ticket, try using someone's OV Chipkaart because then you get 40% off...however, the OV Chipkaart holder must be with you at all times. If not, just play dumb to the conductor. Here is how my story went: My cousin has such a card and she decided that she was going to buy me a full ticket with her 40% discount. So I merrily take the train there, the conductor asks to see our tickets and he smiles and walks away. One the way back 'home' the conductor was not so full of smiles as he walked away. I handed him my 40% card and he asked when the OV Chipkaart was. I told him: 'My nicht heeft gekocht. I uit Canada." (my cousin bought. I from Canada). He looked at me and said: "Do you know that you can get a ticket for that?" I just looked at him nodded. I actually didn't really know, but at the next train station I bought a new ticket!