Flying through Amsterdam!

(5:44 a.m. Kansas time, 12:45 p.m. Holland—waiting to board)

The flight from Houston to Holland was quite long but again we were lucky to find ourselves on a rather empty plane. My Mother and I shared a row of three seats and traded off on sharing the second seat. They served us a meat and pasta sort of dish and salad with the richest ranch dressing to be found (undoubtedly hiding the lack of freshness of our iceberg lettuce). This morning a warm croissant and a small tray of fruit was the perfect partner to a nice chat with my mother and a cup of coffee. We watched Scooby Doo! I felt ten again sitting with my Mom watching early morning cartoons; it was a comforting way to start the day before taxiing in at the Airport in Amsterdam.

The airport itself is long and winding and we walked for what seemed miles to find our gate at the other end of a different terminal. My arms are tired and my eyes are heavy and I’m sure my quiet demeanor is unnerving my Mother—but I had to take in all the clean lines and simple design elements the Dutch seem to employ in their interiors (I am a designer after all). I find it all to be straight forward if not aloof in character and I feel such a strong connection to this place. I’m sorry our stay in Holland is only the length of a two hour lay-over, and I recall these unbelievable Dutch cookies Amy brought me from Amsterdam when she was last here…I wish only for a bite of said cookies and the opportunity to share what I see (b’s & g’s)…
The intercom keeps striking up an announcement as I sit here and type; a soft Dutch accent announcing in annunciated English that “Passenger [so-and-so], you are delaying the flight, we will proceed to off-load your luggage.” My kind of people…tells is like it is and moves on…no hard feelings—just the way it is!

Occasionally my Mom turns to tell me something. With her headphones on she shouts over the music only she can hear but no one seems to care and despite the quiet area around us everyone seems in a pleasant mood (: ! From the airport I have decided that I rather like Holland and as premature as my decided interest may be, I feel an entitlement of the genetic sort and think fondly of my Dutch ancestors…

Across from me sits and older couple and I glance from my computer screen occasionally to be greeted by a sweet smile. The man is wearing green argyle socks and his tie is slung over his shoulder, his plaid shirt makes me think of Burberry and his smiling wife (so I assume) talks candidly into his shoulder as he nods over a novel. I enjoy hearing them speak and not being able to decipher their conversation beyond their body language. I feel myself the silent observer looking into a mirror; it’s a dual respect that our occasional smiles dictate in agreement. I ponder where they are going, but no more than a thought of such—their anonymity is my anonymity and I realize I could just as easily be going it alone—but I’m so grateful to have the company I am keeping. Ope…they are leaving. Just got a wink!

I wonder how my little parrot is doing just once more…and bid everyone a beautiful day (as you are all soon to be waking up)!
Happy first day in Europe! More later~