Arrived

48 Hours after leaving home I finally made it to my destination. Texel. The biggest island of the Dutch north coast. You'd swear I was traveling to New Zealand, it all took so long.

It was a very eventful, challenging, frustrating, worrying, and upsetting journey. But with some beautiful moment of kindness, love and compassion. However,  I still rather had been on that scheduled flight...

The first few hours after the cancellation of the Aer Lingus flight, on which I and many others had already checked in for (see last post), was spend trying to figure out how the next step of my journey was going to happen. 

The Cork Airport Hotel staff were just absolutely amazing. They allowed me to stay in the room till 2 o'clock so at least I could have a sleep and rest before the next flight was due at 5:20pm.

The Receptionist even tried to contact Aer Lingus as she could see that the disruption of my plans were really are the air line's  problems. She felt that they should help me figure out where to stay next. And assure me I would bit end up having to pay the newly incurred costs.
You see I would not arrive in Amsterdam airport in time to be collected by my brother and brought to the island where I was staying. We would not have been in time for the ferry. And my brother was unable to pick me up that night anyway. 

So that meant that they might have to stay in a hotel at the airport in Amsterdam. That would've been a very costly stay, financially. It also brought me to tears thinking how I was going to manage with severely depleted energy, a wheelchair, and a suitcase full of books. I found it difficult to oversee all these challenges while so exhausted. The Kind receptionist even rang to find me a accessible room nearly Schiphol airport. She was so kind. (And so we're here colleagues.) We agreed that some breakfast might make me feel better and a good rest.

When I returned to the desk, she was trying to get a hold of Aer Lingus again but was unsuccessful. Around that same time I received a message from my friend Marga who offered to pick me up and I could stay with her for the night. The receptionist suggested that maybe it would be good idea to be with a friendly face, a friendly person that night to ease the stress. That was a good point. I took Marga up on her offer and she kindly collect me from the airport later that night. If I was not in a wheelchair, I would have kissed the Dutch ground...

It was so good to see her, also as it was the first time I saw her after the passing of her husband, my dear friend Gert, two months earlier. It was beautiful to be in her company to share memories. To be in the house and feel his presence. The house felt peaceful but it obviously felt strange. Gert was not there.

I am glad though that I had the opportunity to see Marga and at the same time being supported in my personal challenge.

The following morning my brother Hans  picked me up and we drove to the ferry at Den Helder and made it onto the island of Texel. We stopped briefly to look at the location of the family reunion accommodation, before driving to my hotel.

A day late.

   

Arrived in Texel!

Brothers Hans and Kees Duyn

My Brother Kees, who lives in Canada, was going to spend the few nights with me in the hotel I had booked in Texel. I figured a few days of rest before the busy weekend would make sense. And I was glad my brother Akers agreed to join me.

A few days to catch up on our lives, just the two of us before the remainder of the family arrives for the reunion. Kees arrived in Holland a week ago and had been cycling to various friends. He had arrived the day before on his bicycle in Texel. 

It was lovely to have lunch with two brothers, before finally taking ownership of my hotel-bed-and home for the next few days.

After a rest Kees brought me through the small town centre, which is full of tourists shops. We didn't get into any of them, other than a bookshop and the supermarket...

We both prefer nature. And not so many people.

It is lovely to realise how much we have in common, how we both view of the world and experience our lives.

It is very rare occasion that I can spend a few days with Kees, just the two of us. I am so enjoying this. I treasure it.

Lying on the bed, I spotted a big bird on the roof across the road. I thought it was a large crow type bird with a twig in its feet. It actually turned out to be a bird of prey. I wanted to photograph it but I did not have my camera with the telephoto lens... I saw that the birds, there were two, and their minders were walking towards the little square in front of our hotel. I asked Kees if you could please bring me outside in the wheelchair. We did and I got extremely close to this South American Falcon. I was just beautiful. And the Falconer asked if Kees wanted to have the bird land on his arm. 

Oh my goodness what an experience.

 

 

Probably my photo of the day. The accidental one. The Falcon walking away from me, me cuddling with my iPhone to get the position right...

 

So. 

I have arrived.

I am exhausted.

I am happy.

I have rested for most of my time.  And had some lovely chats, and shared comfortable silences.

My brother is out on the bike again, and later on we will take the bus to a nearby smaller village. Where I  see and smell the SEA! Maybe even get my toes into the Dutch waters.

The quickest trip to Hollland ever

6 am. Tuesday morning. Cork Airport Hotel.

I think you, my dear reader, know that I was not quite looking forward to the trip to Holland. Don't get me wrong. I like to see my family, but it is all a bit much. Energy is limited. Very limited. Lots  of planning was required to make this trip happen. To keep my health in check. To not get too exhausted. To not get sick. I had to think ahead.

I believe I made a good plan.

But can not plan for things out of my control.

As my flight was at 5.50 am, I booked the Cork Airport Hotel for one night. It saved me, and a willing driver, to have to get up in the middle of the night. They are incredibly helpful here, and have an accessible room. I am here since yesterday afternoon, when friend Mary was able to bring me.

After early dinner, I took (half) sleeping tablet and slept from 8pm till 3.15 am

Pretty much my usual time to wake up, have a light snack, take pain medication, turn on meditation music and go back to sleep.

This morning I did the same routine, except for the part of going back to sleep.

I got up, dressed. And had the porter collect me and bring me to the shuttle bus- and to the airport. 5 minutes down the road. Perfect!

Checked in. Got rid of my suitcase full of Snapshots books. My chair, and me were deemed safe and drug free 😀. And I was on my merry way to Holland. Finally ok with this big adventure ahead.

Then I happen to look up at the departure screen, and saw the the Amsterdam flight was CANCELLED. Not even delayed..l just NO flight.

My airport support man came to look for me, and we went back down, to pick up my luggage again.

Kind of funny.

Yesterday I said that I could not wait to get home again... here I was, not even half hour after checking in, I found myself at the arrivals gate ... 

Using a wheelchair and getting support, sometimes has its perks. 'My airport man' brought me to the top of the queue and I secured a flight for this afternoon. Aer Lingus man rang my hotel, and I have the room back for the day, and the shuttle bus picked me up again.

I am writing this, sitting by the window, watching a Huge bunny rabbit running around the field outside my window, and can see and hear the occasional plane.

I have at this moment no idea if I will make the ferry tonight to the Texel hotel. And I will  definitely miss my passport renewal appointment at the Dutch airport this morning.  That probably means I have to travel to Dublin for that instead... more cost. More travel... The best made plans...

Next I have to contact few people and the hotel in Holland.

Nothing I can do to change this inconvenience and about the extra costs I will have. Go with it. Have a cup of tea and go back to bed.

Talk to you tomorrow,  hopefully from Holland!

A different reality

Having left Holland almost 22 years ago, and knowing that Ireland is my home, I am always surprised, and a little confused, how quickly Holland takes the feeling of being my home. 
Haarlem- the town where I lived for the last eight years before departure to Ireland- is familiar. So familiar that I am taken aback when the thought strikes me that I have never left. My life in Ireland seems alien. This all happens within the first few hours of "kissing" Dutch soil.

Standing outside a cafe waiting for a taxi to bring me 'home', I watched a continued stream of bicycles passing by. I think- I used to do that- I used to get around on my bike. What has changed?
Although I stand there with my walking stick for support- and unable to walk the short distance to the bus station, I temporarily forget I that I got ill with M.E. It feels like some unknown force has plucked me out of my real life (in Ireland- with M.E.) into this different reality of being well in Holland.
Of course M.E. did come along on this journey. It always does. "It" doesn't like to stay behind...

After a busy day of travel yesterday and having picked up my new book and having had lunch with friends, I arrived in Holland. I was greeted by my brother and sister and law who brought me to my friend's home. Lots of talk- lots of catching up- staying up too late- no great sleep because of being much too tired... and hey presto I wake up wrecked and saw my plans for today fade away.
But. There is always a but. I had brought my meditation downloads by the wonderful Kerie Logan. A life savior ones again. M.E. does not disappear with the sun that shines for me in the meditations, but it certainly gives me hope, the changed focus gives me air to breath, the gentle words give me a sense of lightness. I can get on with my day.

I did follow my plan! After a very leisurely morning, I was dropped off at the Provincial research centre where I wanted to find out about my great-grand-mother's life. A place full of lives lived- a place full of hidden truths.
I found the hand written birth certificates of my great-grand-parents (on microfilm) and was able to print out copies. What made me laugh most of all was that the address of the father is noted. The address of the mother has a separate entry. "Same address" was the verdict on my great grandparents forms.
But- was Holland ahead of it's time of unmarried mothers, or parents having a Living Apart Together relationship?

Living life in a different reality turned out to be good.
Now SLEEP!
X

Ps To add to my confusion of where is home, on hearing the Dutch language being spoken, I think He, there are more Dutch people around..."
And my spoken Dutch has a lot to be desired...

Brilliant Madness

When looking through my photographs, I came across this one, which always makes me laugh out loud, and though I'd share it with you.

We were in Haarlem-Holland ('07), and heard some commotion coming from the main square. (Incidentally regarded as one of the most beautiful squares in Europe... ) Anyway, what we found were lots of young women wearing stilettos. They were there to run. Yes RUN! Over the cobble-stone road, around the cathedral.

The first ones over the finishing line jumped into a waiting limousine, to bring them to Amsterdam, for the final race. There the winner would be handed a cheque of €10.000!

Worth a try I suppose!

The stilettos were measured before the run, to make sure they were the required height.

I love the girl, first from left, upright as if running a normal race, in runners. And also the girl spectacularly in mid air. Stiletto left on the road.

It took a long time before we could come to terms with what we had just witnessed.

Apparently the stiletto run is now a yearly event. Brilliant Madness!