U2: One Love in Chicago!

The main reason we went back to Chi-town was to see Charlie's favorite band, U2! I was a U2 virgin prior to this trip and Charlie's nephew, Andrew, was an all around concert virgin. Simply put: Bono rocks it! Seriously, that dude puts on a great show. We had GA tickets, so we went early (3:30 p.m.) and lined up with hundreds of other die-hard fans. Luckily there was shade to be had and we hung out under the trees until the line started moving around 5 p.m. Once we got into the stadium we went through a special line where we received a BIG black stamp on our hand (see photo) in order to get into the "inner circle". The "inner circle" is the space right in front of Bono and his boys, imagine Bono standing like 10 feet away...incredible! We hung out and played cards for two hours before the opening band came on at 7 p.m. Bono and crew took the stage by storm shortly there after. They rocked the stadium for two and a half hours. WOW! Getting out of the stadium was crazy, imagine a sea of people shoulder to shoulder for about 1/2 mile (see photo).

Chi Town: Take II

Another Fourth of July in Chi-Town (Chicago)! Charlie and I reunited in the Chicago O'Hare airport terminal two in front of CTA, the city trains In reality, both of us were excited to see each other (well, at least I can speak for myself) and so our long weekend in Chicago began. We met up with Charlie's brother and his three sons on the second day. Highlights of the trip included a riding rental bikes on the lake shore bike trail and a Chicago architectural tour by boat. The weather was amazing, mid 80's every day.

Ah, welcome back to the motherland!

I Heart Schiphol Airport!

In the past two weeks I have spent a good amount of time in the Schiphol airport. It has been my home-base from Cape Town, Budapest, Haarlem, Sneek, and Brussels. I have come to know and love this airport. But, before I say goodbye to my home-base and fly to Chicago to reunite with my superboyfriend, I must honor the great Schiphol...

Top TEN reasons to fly through Schiphol:

1.) Plenty of shops (including H&M, Esprit, Mexx), supermarkets, and even a Starbucks.
2.) Free wireless internet for one hour. Brilliant!
3.) You can buy train tickets here and there is a train station right in the basement level of the airport.
4.) They sell lots of tulips...great eye-candy.
5.) The people working at the pharmacy are very helpful, even when you are coughing up a lung.
6.) A tourist information shop will help you with all of your travel needs and questions.
7.) The bathrooms are big enough to fit one BIG roller and one small roller inside your stall, with enough room to close the door.
8.) The KLM people are nice enough to give you a FREE toiletry kit if your luggage is lost (I know this from experience!)
9.) Lay your camera down on the floor and you get some great photos, as well as some fun banter with people walking by.
10.) Any language, you are bound to hear it spoken somewhere in Schiphol.

Brussels & Speculoos Paste!

Some of my dearest friends live a million of miles away, so when there is an opportunity to reunite we jump at the chance. I caught a train to Brussels (only 3 hours from Amsterdam) to meet up with some of my favorites. Brussels came with two special treats: Balpreet & Mary. Balpreet is my (Indian turned Parisian) adopted sister who lives in Chartres, France and took the train from Paris to meet in Brussels. I have also adopted Mary as my little sister, she is my former roommate in Finland and lives close to Brussels in the quaint village of Gent. It was a fun few days filled with gluttony…lots of storytelling, fries, waffles, beer, and laughs. Perhaps the funniest outing was our trip to the supermarket wherein I proceeded to look like a BIG tourist as I loaded up the basket with the famous "Lotus Speculoos" cookies (also known as the airline cookie that Delta airlines serves) and the controversial "Speculoos Paste" and of course let's not forget the Belgium chocolate. On the other hand, Preet bought the American favorite--Oreos. Too funny. So, if you are in the receiving line for European gifts, don't be surprised when I hand you a package of Speculoos cookies.

All in all, this trip to Brussels was the best way to conclude a mini-vacation in Europe, spending the last two days with some of my favorite people in the capital of Europe with Manneken Pis spreading his love (and urine) all over Brussels. Whenever we get together it is as if no time has passed, good times for sure.

Hello AGAIN, Haarlem!

Sneek to Amsterdam (Schiphol airport) by train then to Haarlem (only 35 minutes away from the airport by bus). Originally, I reserved a hotel room close to Schiphol airport, but I decided to go back to Haarlem (the “Little Amsterdam”) since I was feeling better (I was illin’ big time when I first visited Haarlem eight days ago). This time I stayed in a different hotel, Amadeus Hotel. Although the price was the same as the and it was also located in the Grote Markt it was not as nice of a 2-star hotel as the Carillon Hotel. I know that you cannot expect much from 2-star hotels, but I have come to like them as they are unique and offer bonus items (wireless internet, breakfast, etc.). Plus, they are the most affordable lodging option next to a hostel. (Sorry folks, I think my hostel days are over… there is something wonderful about relaxing in my own hotel room without the potential for smelly feet, snoring, and drunken study abroad kids).

When I arrived, I took care of some essentials (such as coloring my hair…damn, those pesky white hairs are coming in quickly these days). Then, I got comfy on my bed and began grading papers from the South Africa class. YES, grading...F-U-N!

After a good night’s rest and grading 12 papers I was ready to tour the city. I paid 2.50euro to enter the Great Church (also known as St. Bavo’s) located in the Grote Markt. The most unique aspect of this church was the floor made of gravestones, almost 1500 gravestones dating back to the fifteenth century….which gave the church a rather eerie feeling. An interesting fact: In 1766, Mozart played the organ in this church when he was just 10 years old. My timing was impeccable as a choir practiced what sounded like soft and peaceful angelic chanting hymns. Ah, a great start of the day. Then, I meandered through the narrow streets and along the numerous canals to find myself in front of the Molen de Adriaan windmill which was burnt down in 1932 and rebuilt in 2002. If anything says Holland…it is the wooden shoes, tulips, and windmills. After a hearty lunch of brown bread, arugula, basil, and tomatoes, I rolled my luggage over the cobblestone streets in Haarlem one last time before catching a bus to Schiphol and a train to Brussels.

Natural Goodness: Mint Tea!

In the Netherlands, they like to go natural...even with their mint tea. I discovered this as I ordered a mint tea at a cafe with Corien. Next thing I knew I had a big beautiful glass of mint leaves seeped in hot water sitting in front of me. Heaven! No need for sugar or cream...it was delicious straight up. The only other time I have experienced REAL mint tea was in Morocco when we were treated to "Berber Whiskey".

Sneek! Pronounced: Snake!

Budapest back to Amsterdam. Now time to head to Friesland, a province in Northern Holland! After hanging out at the Schiphol airport and booking trains, hotels, and purchasing a few toiletry items I jumped on the train (with free internet--awesome!) headed North. Two hours later I transferred trains in Leeuwarden (the capital of Friesland) and a half hour later I was disembarking the train in Sneek. The rain was falling as I walked to meet up with a longtime friend of our family, Corien. Over 20 years ago, our family hosted a beautiful young lady from Holland who was studying at the local university. She was a great addition to our family and taught us about the Dutch culture and also incited curiosity about life in Europe. In 1995, we visited her and her family as my father, sister, and I took a whirlwind tour of Europe. Just recently we reconnected with Corien on Facebook (props to FB!)

It had been over 15 years since I last saw Corien and there she was, at the train station, standing above six feet with a welcoming smile. The next two days we reconnected as I met her beautiful baby, Anne and her boyfriend, Nanko. We hung out at cafes, drank wine, ate amazing food, and simply enjoyed catching up and sharing stories of our lives, travels, and family. Corien and I are very similar...we are the middle child (enough said!) and we both possess an adventurous spirit about life, love, and joy. She (and Nanko) love to travel and experience cultural adventures and they intend to do so with Anne in tow. We talked about when we would see each other again and decided that it would be on the dog-sleds in Finland. Woohoo! Corien and Nanko, thank you for a fabulous hospitality.

Pleasure & Small Connections in Budapest

After the Erasmus Mundus meeting, I stayed an additional three days to simply enjoy Budapest. Unfortunately, I was still battling a lingering illness (cough, sore throat, etc.), thus much of my time was spent relaxing and relishing in short walks/outings around the city center.

Small connections with local people get me jazzed about international travel. For example, I stumbled onto a great Sunday market right in the passageway connecting six apartment buildings where I was staying at Gozsdu apartments (screamin' deal alert: 39 euro for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center--see photo to right). Local artists sold their goods--jewelry, clothes, and handicrafts--as local musicians played their instruments in the courtyards. I met an incredible photographer who was selling prints of his captivating photos. We talked for nearly an hour about his photos, tactics, and love for photography. I think I may come back and take a photography class with him...his black and white photos captured the essence of emotion coupled with nature and environment.

Then, when I was struggling to order my lunch in a vegetarian eatery a nice lady (about my age) helped translate a few items. We sat down next to each other and began talking about the delicious food and then life (jobs, passions, travel, etc.) It's amazing how you can connect with a total stranger in a culture so different from your own in a short matter of time, especially when talking about food and life's challenges. By the end of the conversation she was inviting me to spend Christmas with her family in Hungary. Now this is where world peace begins...

Business in Budapest

Why Budapest? I am representing the North American chapter at the Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association (EMA) Annual General Assembly and this year it is hosted by the Central European University in beautiful Budapest. I love this place. I really do. I think it is just as beautiful as Paris, yet in a different and darker way, seeped in war-torn history and incredible architecture, sculptures, and Danube river vistas. This trip, however, was not so much to admire the city as it was to participate in a meeting with fellow colleagues of mine from the European Union sponsored scholarship masters degree program (European's response to the Fulbright program). And, WOW, what a meeting it has been...we not only voted on the President and Vice President positions, but also on the restructuring of the steering committee. So, yes...it has been an intense meeting with plenty of politicking, jockeying for position, and heated debates. The European Commission is known to call this organization a mini UN (and I have to agree with this on some level). Over 170 people attend the meeting and they represent the world (literally!) I love feeling apart of something so international. There were eight of us representing our masters program (see photo). The European Commission hosts the meeting and this year the big dinner was an incredible dinner cruise on the Danube...WOW. The city is even more beautiful at night from the water. So, thank you European Union for the all-expenses-paid trip to the beautiful city of Budapest.

Hello Haarlem, Netherlands!

Ah, what a nice relief to physically be in the Netherlands! I never thought I would get out of Africa. Despite the tiredness setting in, after waiting for my LOST luggage for three hours, I finally decided to leave the Amsterdam airport with only my carry on luggage and a complimentary KLM toiletry kit. I boarded the Zuidtangent bus, paid four Euro, and was on my way to the sweet little town of Haarlem. Known as the "little Amsterdam" this city of 150,000 people is about 15 minutes away from Amsterdam. It is the epitome of a quaint European town with a large square, called Grote Markt (Great Market), where 10 streets converge. Little cafes and outdoor seating makes the square come to life and the 16th century Grote Kerk (Great Church) serves as a spectacular backdrop. The Hotel Carillon, where I stayed, is right smack in the middle of the square. A few blocks away from the square you find yourself walking by canals and colorful Dutch architecture, and yes...even a red light district two blocks away from the square.

Once I arrived in Haarlem, I made my way to the square (about 3 blocks from the bus stop). At this point, I was pretty happy that KLM had lost my 50 pound roller because that meant I only had my small carry-on roller to pull over the cobblestone street. Hotel Carillon was such a welcoming site...I remember myself saying, "Ah, Europe!" I climbed the narrow steps and entered my small, but comfortable room. The room looked out over the square (see photo to left)...heaven! The one thing I love about European hotels is the breakfast (that is included in the room price)...and this breakfast did not disappoint--muesli, yogurt, fresh bread, jams, Nutella, peanut butter, even sprinkles (for your toast), juice, tea, and fruit.

Unfortunately, the illness I picked up in Cape Town still plagued me, so the hotel staff was kind enough to hook me up with a Doctors appointment. It is always interesting going to a Doctor in a different country. I made quite an entrance as I buzzed what looked like an apartment door. No one answered, so I buzzed again. The Doctor came running to the door (I could hear her footsteps) and opened the door and instructed me that the note (written in Dutch) said that the door was unlocked. Oops. I waited in the reception area and not 5 minutes later she asked me into her office...which was more like a living room with a cot and medical supplies. Her window looked out to the canal (not a bad view for a Doctor's office). She asked about my symptoms (sore throat, achy ears, a bad cough) and continued to check my temperature, throat, ears, and lungs. Then, she said..."I am sorry I can only give you codeine for your cough because it seems your illness is viral and not bacterial." Ugh! All I wanted was some antibiotics to knock this out...and I rarely get to a point when I actually say that (normally I try to go homeopathic first). Off to Budapest...

Keep Calm And Carry On!

As I pulled both of my rolling suitcases to the front door of room 237 in Lagoon Beach apartments, I paused and said to Chase, “I am going to take that sign with us.” I left my suitcases at the door as I quickly strolled into the kitchen and peeled the Keep Calm and Carry On sign from the refrigerator door. “We may need this!” I exclaimed. We both gave each other a smirk and a little chuckle as we rolled our material items over the white titled flooring in the corridor. Little did I know just how much I was going to need that sign. Yes, another travel adventure!

We arrived at Cape Town international airport at 6:37 p.m., plenty of time for approximately 40 students to check in for the 11:35 p.m. flight. (A bit early, if you ask me). The check-in counter was not even open, so we made our way to the self-service kiosks to print out boarding passes. Two students and I received error messages when we scanned our passports. No big deal, we will wait for the check-in counter to open at 7:30 p.m. We waited patiently, as I jokingly pulled out my sign and flashed it to all of the students. Once the counters opened, we were the first in the service line. The two students were given boarding passes and I was asked to visit the ticket service counter two rows down. The woman behind the counter explained, “Your ticket was canceled.” I asked why and soon was on the phone with a Delta representative for further explanation. The Delta representative simply stated, “According to our records, you called on May 28 and canceled this leg of your flight.” I was in shock…why would I ever cancel my flight from Cape Town to Europe? Flustered, I firmly stated, “I DID NOT CANCEL MY FLIGHT.” She went on to say that it was my word against the computers word and that I had no recourse with Delta and I would have to take up my claim of fraud with the local authorities. Serious?! At this point, I kept asking…”What can you do for me? I need to get to Amsterdam and I did NOT cancel my flight.” She said that the only option was to fly stand-by on this already oversold flight and that the next flight she could book me on was June 27 (one week later). WTF?! At this point, my mind started reeling…who would cancel my flight? Who has all of my personal flight information? I asked for further clarification on the cancellation procedure and she said that someone with my name and confirmation number could simply cancel my flight. DELTA…come on, get some security measures in place!

At this point in time, I took out my sign as a bunch of students came over to see what the problem was and I explained the predicament. One of the students mother is a Delta executive in reservations and we called her. She said it sounded rather fishy and she would have some of her people research the situation. In the meantime, I was to WAIT, wait, WAIT, wait…to hear if I would get a stand-by seat. It was about 8:30 p.m. and they would know at 10:30 p.m. if I had a seat. Some of the Global LEAD staff was staying in Cape Town for a few more days, so we went to grab a bite to eat, as I continued to take out the sign KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON and look at it to find patience with the situation. At 10 p.m. we received a phone call from the students mother’s assistant saying that they were able to get me a seat. WOOHOO!!! Whoa, not so fast…as I went to the service counter the woman said I had to wait until 10:30 p.m. for the final say. To take my mind off of the situation, of the Global LEAD staff members engaged me in a conversation about the philosophy of religion. At 10:30 p.m. the woman handed me a boarding pass and I was off…through security and passport control and down the escalator to a cheering crowd of students. They all wanted to hear the story, while all I wanted to do was get on that plane and get my ass to Amsterdam.

While I was so thankful to have a seat on the flight, the punches just kept on coming. I got a window seat next to an older couple (who had a hard time getting out and in their seats). I now remember why I NEVER request a window seat. You see…I have a bladder of a small dove that calls for bathroom breaks almost every hour (note: Cape Town to Amsterdam is a 10 hour flight). So, I limited my beverage intake which I know is also NOT a good thing as I have a tendency to get the fat ankle syndrome on long flights. Plus, I felt so claustrophobic. Keep Calm and Carry On! The silver lining of all of this…the couple was lovely company.

Finally when I arrive in Amsterdam (with a HUGE SMILE painted on my face and fat ankles)…no luggage. I know, shocker! After waiting three hours in the baggage claim area, they sent me on my way without luggage, but they did give me a complimentary toiletry bag with an XXL white shirt and soap. So, here I sit in the sweetest little hotel right in the centrum of “Little Amsterdam” (Haarlem). Life is sweet (and full of adventures). Keep Calm and Carry On!