Today was a stressful and busy but successful one. No ones flight was delayed and everything went relatively smoothly. There were a few minor hiccups, but none that were our fault so all in all a good day. We even made it the Park Guell on time! Though I had to literally run to get us scanned in by 5 which was our hard deadline. It was a 4 minute walk and we had 3 minutes to get in, ha. But we made it! All was good with the world. We got to look out over the city and it was just magnificent. I love to travel and places like this makes it so worth it.
My ipad is not the best at adding pictures but I assure you I will go back through and add tons from my nice camera :)
After Park Guell, we came back to the hotel for a lovely dinner and then time for bed! Well almost... I had a meeting to attend where we finalized everything for the next day. Tomorrow we are off to FC Barcelona stadium, Placa de Catalunya and finally to Lloret for the tournament!
Malena
Friday, December 26, 2014
Thursday, December 25, 2014
A Unique Christmas 12/25/2014
First let me start by saying that I am very very blessed to have such wonderful people in my life and such wonderful friends that even on a Holiday when I have to be away from my family, I still found some amazing people to share it with.
I woke up in Rotterdam nice and late, just as a relaxing day should start. We threw in some laundry (OK Coletta did it... did I mention she's great?) and then went on a nice long stroll around the city. I had so much fun taking pictures at all the iconic places in Rotterdam! I even wore my shirt from the radio station I work for so they can get an international shoutout (pictures to come once I have a spare second, ha!)
Coletta's son came over and we had a declicious meal! It was a bunch of small dishes but they were so. good. It was a really fun time - we even played some Mario Kart!
Eventually I had to leave for Spain so Coletta and Erwin (And Pepper too!) drove me to Amsterdam Schippol and off I went. I had to get searched (both me and my bag, ha) but I had no real trouble catching my flight. I bought some impusle stroopwaffels because why not, man? The plane was for sure a budget flight... no TP. NOT COOL. Luckily they had some paper towels, but ya know. I also sort of enjoyed the kareoke bar singer-song writer music they played for like 40 minutes (20 minutes each on take off and landing). I actually started laughing it was so bad. I tried to tune it out and read my book so the flight wasn't too bad.
When I landed I had to wait a bit for the shuttle, but it wasn't too long and I wasn't worried. There are always cabs! I got to the hotel no problems and met with my boss for quite a while. We finalized things and I headed up to bed!
The hotel is pretty nice. Very typically Spanish... except the shower is what I imagine standing in a hurricane would be like. Very chaotic with water seeming to come from everywhere...
Anyway, I'll update more tomorrow!
Malena
I woke up in Rotterdam nice and late, just as a relaxing day should start. We threw in some laundry (OK Coletta did it... did I mention she's great?) and then went on a nice long stroll around the city. I had so much fun taking pictures at all the iconic places in Rotterdam! I even wore my shirt from the radio station I work for so they can get an international shoutout (pictures to come once I have a spare second, ha!)
Coletta's son came over and we had a declicious meal! It was a bunch of small dishes but they were so. good. It was a really fun time - we even played some Mario Kart!
Eventually I had to leave for Spain so Coletta and Erwin (And Pepper too!) drove me to Amsterdam Schippol and off I went. I had to get searched (both me and my bag, ha) but I had no real trouble catching my flight. I bought some impusle stroopwaffels because why not, man? The plane was for sure a budget flight... no TP. NOT COOL. Luckily they had some paper towels, but ya know. I also sort of enjoyed the kareoke bar singer-song writer music they played for like 40 minutes (20 minutes each on take off and landing). I actually started laughing it was so bad. I tried to tune it out and read my book so the flight wasn't too bad.
When I landed I had to wait a bit for the shuttle, but it wasn't too long and I wasn't worried. There are always cabs! I got to the hotel no problems and met with my boss for quite a while. We finalized things and I headed up to bed!
The hotel is pretty nice. Very typically Spanish... except the shower is what I imagine standing in a hurricane would be like. Very chaotic with water seeming to come from everywhere...
Anyway, I'll update more tomorrow!
Malena
Christmas Eve 12/24/2014
December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Today was nice and relaxing. I wound up sleeping until after 11... oops. Coletta had to wake me up even! I was so. tired. But the good news is I did really well today! I was tired, but not too terribly bad. Coletta and I went shopping in Rotterdam and it was great! It was really nice to just wander around and explore the city. I managed to find a few presents for my Dad's birthday at a really cool market place that was domed and had apartments above it! I'll add pictures when I have time :)
We stopped for a bagel and some juice then headed home! Oh and Pepper came with us so that was neat. I like that dog's can tag along to the city center.
Then we settled in and relaxed in the afternoon. We played with Coletta's wii and had pizza with creampuffs smothered in chocolate for dessert - YUM! I'm so so so glad I get to spend the holidays with friends rather than alone in an airport/hotel room. Yeesh.
Time for bed!
Malena
Travel Day - Holland Bound!
Dec 22/23
Travel day = done! Hooray! It wasn't too too bad as far as travel days go but it was still a super long day/ 2 days. I got to the airport with plenty of time and I'm glad I thought ahead and bought water and food for dinner while I had time because in Philly I had to SPRINT to get to my flight. I was sure my bag wouldn't make it, but it did! It got sent to a weird part of the Amsterdam airport because its a box not a bag, but still!!
Anyhoo, on the flight to Amsterdam I was in a middle seat...no bueno. However, it was between two twenty-something girls traveling alone. What are the odds? We had a nice time chatting and generally got along. Not a bad flight situation.
After the debacle trying to find the box of Christmas presents I checked, I found Coletta! we had a quick bite to eat and then we drove to Rotterdam. She was nice and had a pillow and blanket waiting for me in the car :) I did probably nap at least a little... ha.
Then I got a tour of Erwin's (Coletta's husband) job! He works for a very old brewery company. I guess its still called a brewery if they make liquor. At any rate it was really awesome to see all the cool machines, I even got to taste some yummy white chocolate vodka.
When we got home I had a TON of work to do, so I spent a few hours doing that. Then I showered and had a quick nap then rallied for dinner and some Mario Kart. I made it all the way to 9:30! Now I am so ready for bed.
In the morning I am going to have some yummy dutch breakfast foods and then I think Coletta and I are going to go shopping :) I still have some work to do, but Merry Christmas Eve Eve!
Lots of Love,
Malena
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)