A volcano in Iceland has effectively altered the course of my life. I can't get home until Friday. If I'm lucky.
Many people’s lives, actually. We saw something amazing yesterday. Something unprecedented. Something we might never see again – two parachuters over Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.. flying right over the control tower... swaying back and forth in the sun.
We were driving, so couldn't snap a photo - but use your imagination.. It seems to me that in the States there’s a good chance they’d have been shot down. For all I know, later in the day these guys were.. but still, it was amazing.
Mike and Dave have just gotten back in the car from attempting to talk to someone in person in the airport. No luck. No people. Just signs saying, ‘we’ll reschedule you – call this number’ – in many languages.
Surrounded by grounded planes and a few people milling around, sitting on benches in the sun outside the airport, we head back out to the highway for the last show of the tour. Aching to get home, but not so much wailing or gnashing of teeth. It is what it is.
What do you do when you're at the mercy of a volcano, the wind and the EU Aviation Board?
Maybe we get a Eurail Pass and head to Italy and eat the best pasta in the world. Neither of us has been.
This is hard now.. but we’re among friends. And if it’s going to be hard, that’s the best place to be. And today, walking the flea market in Amsterdam, I saw tulips everywhere. Tomorrow, who knows?
The dog'll be fine. 
Posts
K - While you're cooling your heels in Holland, contemplate this:
ReplyDelete"I SPENT THE WEEKEND WITH KRISTA" (Sorta like a bumper sticker, eh?) Yes, after two months literally "at sea" (w/o internet), I sat down this weekend and followed you through the Midwest winter to Nebraska and on to Europe/UK. When asked this morning how I spent my weekend.... well, you get the message. More later by separate email but I've enjoyed your journey almost as much as my own. Safe journey home. BTW - Italy's a helluva drive for pasta.
Try to forget that you were headed home and have fun.
ReplyDeleteRemember the parachutists riding the currents over the airport in Marathon? I'm not sure if they, or the pelicans riding those updraughts along the 7 mile were having the most fun.
ReplyDeleteJust for pasta? Go for it! I once hitched from Bloomington to Cape Ann Mass. for clam chowder, one of the most fun adventures of my life!
ReplyDeleteChessley