I flew out to Dublin overnight to hang with my team in our offices here. This is my 3rd trip out – probably found the best/easiest flight combinations. Northwest/Delta from Seattle to Amsterdam, then Aer Lingus from Amsterdam to Dublin. Transfers are very easy in Amsterdam – way less hassle then at Heathrow. The plane was nice as well – an A330 with on demand video entertainment in the headrest (I watched Quantum of Solace, Front/Nixon, and most of Body of Lies). The only problem on the plane was where I sat – the last row. You know what that means, right? Anytime someone takes a real stinky shit – the odor attacks you in your seat.
Also, for the first time in my life I saw the Northern Lights. We over Greenland and I noticed a glow out the window. These were faint green lights slowly dancing across the sky. It lasted about 15 minutes, but sure made the flight enjoyable.
Schiphol was a very easy airport to get around in. I was a little concerned as I didn’t have my boarding pass for my connecting flight…but just outside my arrival gate were these ‘Transfer Desk’ kiosks. I scanned my passport and Voila! A boarding pass. My next gate was about a 3 minute walk away.
I was able to get a room at the hotel (I arrived 3 hours before checkin). So showered, took a 1 hour nap, then went for a walk. I need to stay awake until 8 or 9pm so I can onto ‘normal’ schedule.
One final note, this was by far the hardest trip on me emotionally when leaving Steph and the kids. It’s getting painful to leave them so long and go so far. They’ll have to start going on these trips…Zach and Nate would love the pubs.