Safely landed at RDU

Well, the vacation is over and it's back to work tomorrow. I had an incredible vacation and I can't wait to go back in July when I will have the honor of being in George and Sarah's wedding.

Thanks to Stephanie for picking me up at the airport today! Time to get unpacked and settled at home before I drive to Virginia for the holiday weekend.
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Time to go home

On the flight to London, back in Raleigh this afternoon.
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London Update

The queue is beginning for my flight back to Raleigh. Ugh.

Nothing big and exciting to share other than the fact that the crazy woman from my flight to London from Amsterdam got the boot. Security took her boarding pass so they could remove her bag from the plane and the Dutch police escorted her away from the gate.

It's really easy people, don't act crazy and yell at airport security - if you do, you definitely won't be making it home or to your holiday destination today.
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Tot ziens Amsterdam

Time to depart and it's hard to go, but I suppose it is time for me to return to the real world end the vacation (for now).

This morning's wake up call was at 4 am; Dad and I caught the 4:43 train to Schiphol airport and soon had to part ways once we arrived as we were in different boarding areas. Bummer.

I couldn't find anything that was open where I could grab breakfast so I ended up with a €2.90 bottle of my favorite SPA water. Probably the most I have paid for 20 0z of water, but it's hot in the airport and exactly what I needed.

Interestingly enough, as I sit here and blog past the security for my gate, there's an ignorant American fighting with security about bringing in his jelly and some other spread. As that is going on there is another woman from the Caribbean is yelling that her liquids are being taken away (since she brought a gallon liquid bag) and chewing out security. They are telling her to leave the gate and escorting her to a place I would rather never visit.

Well, who knew my early morning flight would be filled with so much drama? I hope it stays here and doesn't come on the plane!
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Looking for dinner...

Happened upon the Red Light District...
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Heineken Stables

Meet Mike (far left) and Karel - some of the Heineken horses that still deliver beer by cart to local shops.
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Mijn pannenkoeken!

Lekker! Ham & Kaas
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Amsterdam

On the train to Amsterdam. Sad, sad day. We had an incredible time with the Huffakers and it is truly hard to leave. It really gets more and more difficult for me to leave the Netherlands with each visit. Hopefully I will be able to call it home in the next few years...we'll just have to see what life has in store for me, right?

Today, Dad and I be taking a tour of the Heineken factory (his belated birthday present) and other than that, we'll be wandering the city until dinner. Early to bed tonight - I have to be AT the airport by 5:30 am. Ouch!

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Almost forgot...

Can't forget the pomme frites!
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Monschau Pit Stop

We had to make a pit stop to have a German pils in Germany. Priorities people, priorities!

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Monschau

Such a picture perfect village!
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Driving through Belgium

Driving to Germany via Belgium for a bazaar on Spangdahlem AFB (where I played softball once or twice in high school).

Shopping for some more goodies - perhaps some polish pottery in my pattern and who knows what else!
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Dinner @ Restaurant Thull

Let's go!
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My FAVORITE

The best dessert...can't go home without it.
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Gluhwein Time!

Mine! All mine!

(Well really just the blue one)
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Let the Christmas Market Eating Begin!

Here we go...starting with potato pancakes!
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Lindt Chocolate Factory

Fun with Dad in the Lindt Chocolate factory in Aachen, Germany. I picked up a few goodies and accomplished the task of getting my advent calendar for next month's Christmas countdown.

Now we're off to the center of town to park and grab lunch at the Christmas Markt.
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Trein & Bus

My tickets from today's travels.

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Meet Zwarte Piet

Ok. I want to begin this post with an explanation that you may find this offensive, but it's a Dutch tradition...this would never fly in America.

"Black Pete" can be good and he can be bad following around St. Nick - giving kids candy if they are good. OR if they are bad he might beat them with a tree branch or stuff them in a bag and take them to Spain. The choice is up to you kids! All of this takes place on December 5.

Follow the link below to learn more about "Black Pete":
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwarte_Piet?wasRedirected=true

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Training to Heerlen

Mrs. Huffaker dropped me at the Sittard train station this morning so that I can get to Heerlen by the intercity train. The ticket kiosks no longer take cash so you have to use a pin card or pay by cash at the counter. Without a Dutch/EU bank account or pin I am left to the cash option. So I have my second class ticket for €4.20 and now I am standing by the spoor (track) waiting for a train that is late - which isn't too typical around here.

Not sure what I will do first in Heerlen, but I will walk about and figure out my plan...it is SO nice not to have a schedule!

I am going to catch a bus to Brunssum this afternoon and hopefully meet up with my friend Sheila before heading to my old school to meet Mrs. Huffaker to head to Schinnen for a workout at the gym.

Chilly and blustery today but no rain in the forecast. The cool and clean air feels great in my chest - I am trying to take in all the sights my eyes can spy before it is time to go home.

Dad is off digging with the guys in Luxembourg today - I was invited but politely declined as I am not too interested in being wet and covered in mud (without appropriate clothing) for an entire day digging up WWII relics. I will just enjoy looking at what they bring back tonight! Shopping will be much more entertaining!
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Best Italian in the NL

Napoli is the best Italian restaurant in Maastricht! Time for lunch!
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American Military Cemetary at Margraten

Dad woke me up this morning and we got dressed and ready to go out. The door bell rang and it was the "Fast & Furious Snel Delivery" with my suitcase! We were off to a good start!

We picked up Dad's friend Jan and we drove to Margraten to the American Cemetary where we had been to in years previous for Memorial Day ceremonies.

We are now in Maastricht for lunch, shopping and so I can visit Ms. Elliott.

It is freezing cold! Happy to have my gloves today as well as my scarf and coat. Brrrr!
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Nederland

I love the Netherlands. Need I say more? It's hard to share how much I love it here in words. From the kind people to the shops to the lifestyle. Today we drove by our old house in Schinnen, stopped in at the Alfa brewery (which was closed), shopped in the AH grocery, visited the Army base (I am glad to have some new *clean* clothes), and had a great dinner at the house with our lovely hosts. I fell asleep watching BBC1 and dragged myself from the living room to clean up for bed and write a quick post.

For all intents and purposes I am in the town of Sittard (if you want to look it up on a map, be my guest). Tomorrow we go to Maastricht to visit the American cemetery, shop in the town and I will get to see my friend Angela who is finishing up her chemotherapy treatments. I was happy to call her tonight to see she was up to a visit.

Perhaps I will stop in H&M while I am there as well as the music shop to get my lovely Josh Groban's new CD that was released on Monday...won't want until next week when I get home if I don't have to!

Slaap lekker!
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Traveling without luggage

Well, despite the fact that I threw out last nights receipt for the necessities I purchased and then found out I could be reimbursed - I am glad I learned about that fact today so I could pick up a few last things.

I also learned the value of the Duty Free shops that have all of the makeup and perfume. Since all of mine is in the bag abyss somewhere, I was lucky enough to find my sample foundation in my purse and use it along with a bit of Chanel blush to add a bit of color to my very tired face. Thanks Duty Free for helping me to look presentable.

I am waiting at Gatwick for my gate for Amsterdam to open in about 10 minutes and then I will be off to see Dad who made it safely to Paris from Saudi and is also now on his way to the Schipol airport.
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