Finally with the Fam!

My Christmas plans have not gone according to my plans, however I am overjoyed today! I am sitting here in Amsterdam, in the hotel, with my mom and my brother. They are both sleeping (jet lag of course...) It has definitely been an interesting, and exhausting, few days.

I started out early Monday morning, checking the bus website repeatedly, waiting to see if the buses would be running. Sadly, due the 3 feet of snow outside, the buses could not. However, the trains were still moving. I was determined to get to the train station in time for my train to Brussels. So I walked. I live 3 miles away from the train station. Let me say this just one more time for clarity. I walked 3 miles in snow that came up to my knees. With my suitcases. That is dedication to travel!

I got to the train station in one piece, got on my train to Lille, and hopped on a train to Brussels. Well, that last part isn't quite true. I attempted to hop onto the train, but it was so crowded due to the late trains, that I squeezed on. I stood in the corridor for the hour long train ride....but finally...I made it!

I got to my hotel, and received a phone call from my parents. Apparently the snow had cancelled their flight. Dommage. I would have to be alone for another day. I decided that I would spend the day scoping out the city and I could be prepared for my mom and brother's arrival for the next day.

The next day started off with me slipping into a giant puddle of muddy street water. I had to walk back to the hotel, take a shower, and change. Afterwards, I made my second venture out into the city. Basically, it consisted of me walking in the general direction of the Grand Place and seeing what there was to see. It took me about four hours to walk there, because of the icy roads and my complete lack of directional sense. I ended up stumbling upon the Manneken Pis, a fountain of a little boy, well, having a wee. It is hugely famous in Brussels, and they dress him up in costumes all the time. Given the holiday period, right now he is dressed as Santa Claus.

I made my way to the Grand Place, and enjoyed the sights. I bought some chocolates for my family, since they were going to be arriving in the morning. When I headed back to the hotel, I expected to call my dad, and hear that my mom and brother were on their way.

That wasn't the call I got.

I got a quick call from my dad saying 'can I call you back? I am making some travel changes'. I switched to stress mode, realising that my family's travel plans had been canceled again, and dove into the box of chocolates I had bought for them. However things weren't as bad as they seem...my mom and brother would be taking a flight to Amsterdam...the second stop on our whistle stop tour of Europe.

I got up early this morning to catch a train to Amsterdam. After walking into the completely wrong address(seriously, why was it on our hotel's contact us page? It was ANOTHER HOTEL!), I made it to my room and saw my family. It was really really great. It is a rarity for us to be together nowadays, so I am very thankful for this trip, even if it has gone a bit wrong!!

I'll post pictures on my flickr account soon!!