MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS: WeFie

Showing posts with label WeFie. Show all posts

Saturday, July 16, 2022

NS Train of 5:40 to Schiphol Airport and Flight HOME

It is not easy when the final hours are slipping through your fingers...

Here we are, rising around 4:00 AM in order to be at the Train Station by 5:30 to catch the train from 5:40 to Schiphol Airport.

At 5:35 with friend Sissy next to my suitcases.

Bringing home some of Mom & Dad's treasures en sentimental things...

I'd come to The Netherlands with my Delsey suitcase inside the big pink one.

My one way NS Horst–Sevenum to Schiphol Airport train ticket...

In one hour and 58 minutes we would be arrive by 07:41 at Schiphol Airport.

A Happy WeFie...

Ellie and I...

And one inside the train...

At Schiphol Airport there was NO COURTESY!

Dutchnews.nl wrote the above that Schiphol has been grappling with the problem since the May school holidays. Hundreds of flights have been scrapped... due to staff shortages!

Dutchreview.com wrote the above...

Staff shortage and also strikes

It felt great for finally having made it to the accelerated check–in (they did not let me pass at first; very rude...).

Schiphol Airport was a FAR CRY from the courtesy received in Savannah and also in New York!

My seat turned out to be the FIRST row with added space

DELTA PREMIUM SELECT seat 20D

Once my suitcases got labeled, and I had my boarding pass, we all three went to have a FINAL cup of cappuccino or whatever...

At 8:11 AM, I paid this for some bread and croissant for Sissy as they had to once again travel the two hours by rail back home...

By 8:26 I got the message via my Delta App on KPN server in NL, that my bag was now onboard, of course also received the same message for my 2nd bag!

Now the FINAL GOODBYE arrived and it was very emotional.

I waved till I no longer could see them...

Security check went fine, no shoes needed to be removed and all went swift.

Then I had to get in line for Passport Check... that was the longest line I've ever seen!!!

Wish I'd used my Strava App, as I walked a lot!

At the gate, again I awaited very rude treatment; ZERO COURTESY!

Felt awful for two elderly couples, using a wheelchair and they had it already folded up.

Then we got ushered through the so–called pre–boarding...

NOPE—we ended up in a holding area with NO CHAIRS!

Okay, we all made it to the plane eventually, but what a far cry from the once great service and courtesy!

Bye–bye Netherlands...

My ADJUSTABLE FOOTREST was working this time!

Also received my TUMI AMENITY KIT not on my way over...

AMS – JFK total time 7 hours and 29 minutes

Past Ireland...

Now more than halfway...

As said, Premium Select seat 20D was right behind the wall, with extra space, easy to get up for using the restroom.

The blanket felt cozy and warm and I did wear my down puffer jacket, once in my seat, had stuffed it inside my Delsey back pack.

Wrapped up cozy...

The extended leg and foot rest was great and I never even used my plump pillow, it stayed in the front of my seat in its plastic cover.

Emotional goodbyes over the last few days but I was going HOME to my Pieter!

Arriving in New York and again lots of walking!

On my Delta App, I got the Gate Change, even farther walking...

The final stretch of this emotional journey now to Savannah...

Seated in 7C in Comfort

Bye–bye New York...

More steps for Savannah but the BIG SURPRISE was that we landed 35 minutes ahead of schedule.

So I used the restroom, then grabbed my two bags and went outside, on the Delta curb and called Pieter with his private driver Mike.

They were surprised, they'd just walked inside for using the bathroom and now learned that I already was outside with my suitcases.

In no time we were in the car and heading HOME.

Feeling a lot of GRATITUDE for so many that made this an unforgettable time!

My final time going to my country of birth...

Dear friends and family will remain forever inside my heart and I treasure the many fond moments.

May God keep us all healthy!

Monday, July 4, 2022

Visiting Castle Gardens Arcen with Friend Ellie

What to do on a beautiful sunny day?

First we did cross the River Meuse by ferry from Lottum to Arcen

Pieter once used to live in Arcen at Op de Hor 2, and he crossed it daily, that was around 1958.

At the River Meuse...

It sure was beautiful weather and we visited Castle Gardens Arcen... or Kasteeltuinen in Arcen ←click link

Ellie is sitting near the entrance, crossing the moat to the Castle.

Huge old Chestnut Tree and Castle

The history of Castle Arcen.

A 17th century castle built in the Baroque period.

Also this got destroyed in the 80-year war (when the Spaniards occupied The Netherlands) and rebuild later.

And yes, Ellie and I were there during the annual Rose Festival... A DREAM as I love roses!

Surprise, near the entrance was a huge Sequoia tree.

We had to wait for our guide to join the group around 1:30 PM

Time for just 'hanging' around...

My Partner–in–Crime Ellie...

HET KOETSHUIS = THE COACH HOUSE and it got built around 1763

Rose Garden or Rosarium and ALL FRAGRANT ONES!!!

We were already on the move with our guide, but still could hear the soprano Maja van 't Oever and bass Jan Alofs in the Rose Opera ←click link.

On all five days of the Rose Festival there was this rose opera...

Ellie captured me, while seated in the Rose Garden in partly shade for doing video WhatsApp with Pieter at 14:00 Dutch time = 8:00 Georgia/US time...

Yes, keeping our Blissful Relationship alive across the 8,000 km that separated us.

Fragrant climbing roses...

Ellie overlooking the moat

And me peeking out over the beech hedge (Carpinus betulus) over the moat...

Berceau

The Rosarium is surrounded by a berceau. A walking path covered by a foliage vault. Berceaus were very popular with the lords of the castle in the 18th century. In addition to its architectural value, it als had a function: browning was out of the question for the nobility.

And yes, in my Province Limburg there are LOTS of French words in the language, left from the French ruling period...