Yesterday, it was 60 degrees out. Today, it's 28 and we're in the middle of a miserable Nor'easter that's more icy slush than snow—1-3 inches of it by the time I finished packing and tidying up and headed out to the airport. I left a little earlier than I'd planned to originally, thinking it was probably going to take longer than normal to get there, but the ride wasn't bad, surprisingly. The worst bit was having to carry my suitcase rather than wheeling it along since none of the sidewalks were clear. The roads were miserable and slushy with everyone sliding around. Nothing much but domestic flights seems to be canceled or delayed, which is good. The airport felt like a warm haven against the miserable weather, and I feel like one of the cast of "Enchanted April" sneaking out of the wretched weather to the sunny climes of Spain. Yay!
Update: Lost three hours to late plane arrival and deicing and arrived only an hour late in Amsterdam. There, however, there was a huge backup to rebook people who were connecting from our flight, including a gigantic Japanese tour group that gummed up the works by all taking individual numbers rather than rebooking as a group. So I missed the flight I could have caught at 2:15 and am stuck sitting around waiting for the 5:35 flight, which means I'll get to my hotel way later than I hoped I would. I mean, I'd sorta written today off anyway, it being an all-nighter already, but I'd hoped to get a peek at the city in daylight, at least. Not much to see of Amsterdam, or Holland itself, since there was a lot of cloud cover. And I won't get a good gander at Barcelona until Sunday now. I'll probably get in about time for an early (to Barcelonans, anyway) dinner, probably at the hotel, and time to crash and burn. One good thing about the delay: it'll reset my circadian rhythms the hard way. With luck, I'll wake up tomorrow on Barcelona time.
There is not only a flower shop in the Schiphol airport, but they sell packets of flower seeds for your garden.
Going to seek out food somewhere. Next post from the hotel.
Update 2: The inevitable happened, KLM lost my luggage. So here I am in this beautiful, glam city with the clothes on my back (which I've been in for nigh unto 18 hours), and no make up, which would have been a huge calamity not too long ago. Somehow, I just can't get all that bent out of shape. I'm either too tired, or I'm too excited to be in a totally new city, in what is, I must say, a completely fabulous hotel. And never have I been more thankful for room service, complimentary big fluffy bathrobes and toiletries, giant bath sheets, and slippers. Not to mention the free wifi, multilingual tv, radio , and for just 20 euros a night extra, a swang double room with a view instead of an dinky inside room. These folks rock. They're even going to help me chase down my luggage, if it doesn't arrive soon. KLM promises within 24 hours, but I'll believe that when I see it. Pictures of my room to come. It's gorgeous. (Jen, Sean would really dig this place.)
Right now, I need food. Ringing room service, because it has been a looooong mofo of a day, and I don't really want to go out into a new city where I don't speak the language, in the dark, on my first night, alone and not too sharp. Not when the hotel gave me a basic safety precautions pamphlet (which really, for a New Yorker, amounts to nothing more than street smarts.)
More, with pictures. Tomorrow.
Update 3, as promised:
Hey, the Spaniards keep late hours (show up at a restaurant for dinner at 9 pm and you'll be opening the joint, or at least that was how it was back in '95), so your Saturday will not be a waste as far as Barcelona is concerned!
Posted by: Kristin | March 17, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Hello Lee,
I enjoyed your blog and I hope you have a great time in Barcelona.
I live in New York as well, but I'm from Barcelona.
Keep blogging...
Reme
Posted by: Reme Aldana | March 17, 2007 at 05:54 PM
Yay! I'll bet Sean would love the place. I feel your traveler's pain -- United lost my luggage too. Just got mine back a few hours ago, and hope you get yours soon, too. Have fun!
Posted by: Jennifer Ouellette | March 17, 2007 at 08:15 PM
Bummer on the baggage, but your room rocks!!! Enjoy.
Posted by: Roger | March 22, 2007 at 10:27 AM