After a week of a bitter sweet Christmas in Gothenburg, its was time for my to head home to DC. I do have a lot of pictures from my busy week but I will not let them interfere with these breaking news.
Gothenburg
6:00
My mother knocks on my door (I am sleeping in the guest room) and tells me its time to get up. I head in the shower. (after one or two snoozes)
6:30
Breakfast is served! We are having eggs with caviar, grapefruit, sandwishes with Gouda cheese, tea and orange juice.
7:00
We get in the car and head to the airport.
7:30
Mom drops me off, I head to check in. The lady at the check-in forces me to check in my carry-on bag, although I have been flying without checking it in forever and it is only 1 KG over the limit.
7:45
I pass through security
8:30
After waiting 45 minutes, mainly occupying myself with a crosswordpuzzle, they announce that for some reason the intended plan has not arrived, and will hence by departing an hour late from GBG. I realize I am not going to catch my connection in Amsterdam so I exit the terminal and find a ticket office. So does everyone else flying on the same delayed plan. A que forms, and people forget how to stand in line. After being overlooked twice I finally get to talk to a lady who books me on another flight out of Amsterdam, the last one leaving Amsterdam to go to the US this year. Additionally I still get to keep my original check-in, in case I make the connection after all.
9:00
I pass through security a second time.
9:25
Scheduled take-off. No word or news of new departure time.
11:25
After two hours of “more information will be announced in 10 minutes”, I see the plane arrive and they announce that they have been having a technical difficulty. I see my bag getting packed on the plan along with everyone else’s. I feel ok.
11:40
They start boarding. When standing in line I see them unload my bag again. Helpless I can do nothing but stand there and watch. I call y mom, she reminds me it is just material stuff. And I do have insurance.
11:55
I am on the plane. It looks like I am leaving GBG today after all. The captain announces that the technical difficulty is more precisely a faulty air-conditioning. He proclaims that it is not a safety hazard, only a comfort issue.
12:45
Scheduled to leave Amsterdam for Washington but I am still in the air headed from GBG.
12:55
For the last hour the average temperature on the plane has been 30 degrees Celsius. This is indeed a comfort issue.
Amsterdam
13:45
Arriving in Amsterdam. Running to find a transfer office to get the boarding cards for the changed flight. I am now forced to go on a 10 hour flight to Detroit, before flying to DC.
14:00
Passing through security. The airport has the most comprehensive security procedure I have ever witnessed. After a 10 minute interview (at a desk) a have to sign a paper declaring that I have bought, payed for, packed and checked-in everything myself.
14:45
Boarding the plane to Detroit. Noone can tell me whether me bag can be located or will join me in Detroit. I am so hungry right now, and they don’t have TVs on the plane.
15:10
Scheduled arrival in DC. I should have been home in DC around now.
Detroit
6:00 pm local time (00:00 in Sweden)
17 hours after leaving Gothenburg, 10 hours after getting on the plane,15 crosswordpuzzles and lots of pretzels later, I land in Detroit with a newly acquired cold. Someone one the plane must be to blame.
As we are parking at the gate it gets physical. The passenger next to me hits another after a quarrel (I get where its coming from, I could probably punch someone too right now). They both hit the floor and roll around for a minute. Airport security and police is called to the plane and they refuse to open the doors. I refuse to miss my connection to DC, so when asked if I am a witness to the crime, I tell them I did not see anything, and I run of the plane.
6:30
I pass through boarder control and discover I have forgotten to report leaving the U.S. before Christmas. They forgive me.
7:00
I see my bag! It got here safe. Don’t care how and why anymore.
7:10
I pass through customs and boarder control. I refuse to check in my bag again and they let me keep it.
7:15
I put in my U.S. simcard and realize my phone is not working. I want to cry but I am too tired to produce tears.
7:30
I buy a Pepsi and sit down to solve another crossword puzzle. I have lost track of time and space. In order to avoid anxiety I have to let go of my love of making the best of the time that is given. I now see no value in time anymore. I look at my ticket and realize I am landing at the domestic city airport Ronald Reagan in DC, which is very close to where I live. I look again and realize it’s a mistake, its Dulles airport after all. But I don’t care, I see no value in time anymore.
9:00
Boarding the plane from Detroit to DC
9:30
Leaving Detroit
Washington DC
11:45
Arriving in DC.
12:30
Bus stops at Rosslyn station and I take my bag and walk home
Soon I’ll tell you about Christmas. Pics coming right up.
And if any of you dare to come visit me after this uplifting story, as always, you are more than welcome.
Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and You have a happy new 2012.
2012 Years Resolutions:
1. Spend less, save more
2. Talk to friends and family back home
3. Get a great job!
