Last Friday afternoon I finished up the workshop. The shuttle bus took me back to the airport and I started my journey to Germany.
The flight from Huntsville to Chicago on UA was quick and then I had to wait to check in with SAS (Scandinavian Airlines). Before I went through Security again, I had some dinner at McDonald’s. I mean really, there was nothing else available, besides pizza and pastries. Are you freakin’ kidding me? Have I mentioned that I hate eating at the airport? Since airplane food is usually even worse, I wanted to eat something… anything before getting on the cross-Atlantic flight.
I talked to J for about an hour before we boarded the plane. I had an aisle seat (very important!) and sat next to a nice guy from Illinois. We talked for a little while until they served us dinner. I was really impressed with the “seat entertainment”… the seat in front of you was equipped with a touch screen monitor, where you could choose between multiple movies and music channels. There also were several games that you could play and a button with “flight information”. Not only could you see the flight route, but also activate two cameras (one down, one forward) to see the runway when we were starting and landing and the continent/ocean that we were flying over.
It was pretty cool!
I was able to sleep/doze for a couple of hours and we arrived in Copenhagen on time. I had about 45 minutes to change terminals/gates and then I got on the flight to Düsseldorf.
My suitcases both made it on the flight as well (even though I found out later that both of my pieces of luggage that been inspected by the TSA … just my luck, but oh well. That’s life.)
And then I finally walked out and there they were: my Mom, my Dad, Nina and Greta! It was so good to see them.
I handed my luggage to my Dad and headed straight for a hug from Greta. She wasn’t shy at all and stretched out her little arms towards me. So cute.
I carried her for a little bit, until she found out that “riding” on top of my suitcase was far more fun. (I think I have mentioned that I bought a new suitcase with four wheel underneath and I already love it! It’s so easy and convenient to move it around and we were able to push it with Greta sitting on top of it.)
My aunt, granddad and great-aunt and BIL came over a little later to say “hello” and we had potato salad, tomato-egg-platter and fresh bread, cheese and deli meats for dinner. It tasted so extraordinarily good. I can’t begin to describe the tingling of my taste buds ;)
I talked to J for a while to let him know that I made it home safely and I think I went to bed around 11 p.m.
I was up the next morning around 8 a.m. because Greta had stayed over night and she, of course, is up usually before 8. We snuggled a little bit and I think I dozed for another hour, until we got up and had breakfast at 10 a.m.
My sister came over a little later and we sat outside in my parents’ new “beach chair” for a while (the weather was sunny and warm and the beach chair was so comfy that I took a little nap in our backyard.
Then we decided to get dressed and take a walk downtown and have some ice cream at an Italian café. I had “spaghetti ice cream” (OMG, I haven’t had that for ages!)… Greta of course took advantage of the situation and had all three of us, Nina, my Mom and I, feed her :)
At 5 p.m. I went to see my friend Ira and we went for a walk to talk and catch up. It was so great to see her. In the evening we had dinner at my parents’ house. My Dad made Roast beef, Rosemary potatoes, and wax been salad. It was delicious.
Later I went to Nina’s place for a little bit and snuggled with Emma, their cat. I held her on my arms for about 10 minutes, which is unheard of and I suspect that she’s been feeling a little bit neglected since Greta was born ;)
It just feels so good to be here with my family. I am sad J is missing out on the good time.
Tanja
September 25, 2009 at 5:16 pmI’m glad you made it safe back home. We also went with UA to Germany three weeks ago and I also was impressed about the seat entertainment ;) Enjoy the good food as well as your family and friends.
.-= Tanja´s last blog ..Was fuer ein toller Morgen / what a great morning =-.
Maribeth
September 25, 2009 at 5:53 pmOh my goodness, Greta is beautiful! And how did that sweet baby become a toddler, seemingly overnight? What a beauty!
Enjoy!!!
.-= Maribeth´s last blog ..Thursday In New Hampshire =-.
Kristi
September 25, 2009 at 7:48 pmShe is so unbelievably cute! I can’t stand it! Glad you’re having a great time – love hearing about your travels.
.-= Kristi´s last blog ..Me So Literary =-.
emmysuh
September 25, 2009 at 11:35 pmI can’t imagine how awesome it was to see your family! I know they’re happy to have you.
I saw Spaghetti Ice EVERYWHERE in Germany but never tried one! I guess I should have — I just dind’t really like the Sahne that much.
Hope the rest of your stay is delightful!
Marianne
September 25, 2009 at 11:58 pmYou were in Copenhagen?! :-O Next time stop and say hello ;-)
Kat
September 26, 2009 at 2:14 amI’m glad you (and the luggage!) made it over here safely! :) And OMG, spaghetti ice cream!! I wonder if that’s a German thing? I certainly could use some right now…
ToBeAnnounced
September 26, 2009 at 3:30 pmYour niece is adorable! I’m glad you’re getting time relax with family and friends. :)
.-= ToBeAnnounced´s last blog ..Survey Monday! =-.
Kathrin
September 26, 2009 at 9:08 pmSan, glad you made it. Have a great time with your family and friends and enjoy all the good food. Oh, how I miss German bread, REAL bread with a crust. Something teeth have to work at!! :>))
ilka
September 27, 2009 at 8:42 amit’s great to see an actual pic of greta and to hear you had a good start in good ol grevenbroich. looking forward to meet u tomorrow:-)
Susi
September 27, 2009 at 9:06 amI am so happy you are having a great time in Germany. Did not expect anything else.
Have to see us when you are back. (Are you coming back?)
miss crazy
September 27, 2009 at 1:06 pmwow. i thought the same thing maribeth did: when the heck did greta grow up and become a toddler? wow. what a big (and cute) girl! i can imagine how great the first few minutes out of there to see your family were. those are the best! enjoy your last days, sweety and we’ll just talk when you’re back in sac :)
PS: hope the party was great!
Stefanie
September 27, 2009 at 5:41 pmWow, Greta has gotten so tall!!!
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..Why having him back home is simply the best. =-.
ute
September 29, 2009 at 7:10 amawww super cute!!! glad you are enjoying yourself!!! pictures are adorable and she is sooo blond. super cute!!!