To the Plane (And Italy!)

     Jet lag is not fun. Especially when one is unable to rest after they arrive to their destination. My husband and I flew from the continental United States to Amsterdam, Netherlands to Venice, Italy.
We departed in the afternoon and landed in the morning the next day in Amsterdam, Netherlands (note: Our plane ride was 9.5 hours long, and Europe is 9 hours ahead.) After a layover, we caught a different plane, and arrived in Venice. It was a super long plane ride from PDX to AMS. I probably watched about 3 movies, played 5 puzzles of Sudoku, listened to an hour of music, and slept. Other than being bored out of my mind the ride was not that bad. There was hardly any turbulence, and everyone around us were really nice. We got a snack (pretzels and peanuts), a lunch (amazing pasta, salad, cheese slice, brownie and drink of our choice), a small sandwich (turkey and cheese, and fancy cookies), and a breakfast (egg/sausage cal zone, banana, and orange juice cup, plus a drink of your choice). All the alcoholic beverages were free. I was really tempted to have a beer, but decided not to since I was on anti-motion sickness pills. During this 9.5 hour flight I took my cat into the bathrooms 3 times...trying to see if she would use her litter box. She didn't. I also wanted her to drink some water. She didn't. I offered her some food...she barely ate.
     Arriving at the Amsterdam airport was quite a different experience. I was really happy there was still a ton of english signs though. Expensive cosmetics were greatly advertised, and the restroom signs are called "Toilets." We took the speedy walk (where you can walk super fast through parts of the airport on electronic walk ways). Instead of a sign that said, "Watch your step," there was a voice next to the electronic walkway saying, "Mind your step" in a British lady voice. All the flight attendants are dressed in these bright blue uniforms either skirts or pants with a thick starchy white dress shirt. On the plane ride to Venice one of the flight attendants was handing out bags of pretzels or granola bars. She didn't ask, "Pretzels or granola bars" she said, "Sweet" pointing to the granola bars "Or savory" pointing to the pretzels. I was a little humored by the adjectives she used. But they were all really nice.

Arrived in Amsterdarm...tired as you know what!

     Arriving in Venice was hard. All we wanted to do was sleep (thanks to the wonderful jet lag.) The airport was not as nice as Amsterdam, and smoking was apparently permitted right next to the entrances...yuck. I was so nervous about someone bumping into me, and pit-pocketing my bags. No one did thank goodness. We also received all our luggage...we had 6 bags...thanks to me. I was SO tired and my mind and body were all mixed up. But we had a BUNCH left to do. 
     Since we were moving to Italy (because my husband is in the military), before I arrive my husband had to buy a car, find a house to rent, move out of his dorm, fly back to the United States to get married (we really wanted an actual wedding after we got legally married), and take me with him back to Italy. Quite a busy BUSY week!!
     But we did it. We're here safe and sound. Last night was really rough. I was really emotional, and missed my family and the U.S. Both of us don't like the strange outlets here. They look completely different than back home. The weather however, is like ours. Partly cloudy with patches of sun, and rainy every now and then. The "BX" (aka Basic Exchange) is just like the one in Texas. I call it our sanctuary store right now because it reminds me of a Fred Meyers or a Target minus the red circle targets.
I brought my kitty cat along with us to remind me of home in the U.S. She actually did really well on the plane rides, and is adapting really well too.
     Anyways, the adventures remain constant as I strive each day to learn this crazy language (actually it's rather beautiful). I feel so blessed to be able to live in such a historic and picturesque country even if it may be for a short two and a half years.