I made it! I am in the Netherlands. All of my luggage arrived just fine, and I didn't have to leave anything behind at the airport. When I got there, both of my bags were overweight- the one was just over 50 pounds, so the lady said that wasn't a problem if my other bag was fine.. well, it was 55 pounds. So, she said to take 5 pounds out and then I'd be good to go. I took out a jacket, a book a some DVDs and that brought it to 52 pounds.. I asked her if that would be ok- she hesitated, and then said, ok, but don't tell anyone I'm doing this! Yay Jesus!
I stuffed the stuff into my carry-on's and that was that. Now, if you have ever seen me pack or traveled with me, you will know that I know how to get A LOT of things into a smallllll suitcase or purse. I had my carry-on, which weighed about 30 pounds, and I had my "personal item"- A.K.A. Very Big and Heavy Backpack, which also weighed around 30 pounds. I prayed my way through the checkpoints because I did not want them to tell me that my stuff was too heavy and that I needed to check one more bag. Thankfully no one lifted either bag, and I made it through ok! Needless to say, my back was a bit tired when I woke up this morning!
Anyway, then I got to my gate in Minneapolis, and ended up having over 2 hours to wait, since I had gotten through my luggage check and security point VERY quickly. Note-to-self: next time I fly out on a Tuesday in the middle of the day, 3 hours is NOT necessary for getting through the airport on time!
The flight was uneventful to Chicago, and that is ALWAYS a very GOOD thing :) I only had a 2-hour layover in Chicago, so I was prepared to run if need be. Chicago O'Hare is a HUGE airport, and often very busy, so I figured that at 4 in the afternoon, it would be busy. Generally in Chicago I have to get onto a tram/train, ride to another terminal, go through another security check-point- which can take forEver- and get to my gate by the time they are boarding the plane. So, I was ready.
I get off the plane, go to a set of TV screens to check which gate my flight is leaving from, and it was in the same terminal that I landed in! So: NO tram, NO security check-point, and NO rushing to get to my gate! I had time to get something to eat and sit down at my gate for over an hour. So that was a very smooth layover- Kudos to Chicago O'Hare!
The flight was fine going from C to Amsterdam, except that we were stuffed into the airplane like sardines in a can. Even the ladies next to me who were tiny were feeling cramped in their seats. I dozed off a couple of times, but never really slept at all. But I made it here, so did all of my STUFF! so it was a successful journey.
We landed about 35 minutes early, and thankfully my parents had been tracking my flight, so my Mom was waiting for me once I came out of the gate. I made it to their place by 10 am, and at 12:30 we had lunch with some of the people I will be working with! I lasted until around 4 or 5 pm and then couldn't keep my eyes open--- staying up for over 27 hours isn't my forte!
After my 2-hour nap, we had supper and enjoyed the beautiful weather out in the backyard. I will post pictures very soon, since that is what people seem to be asking the most for! Once I figure out how to do that on here, I'll get some up...!
Ok, hugs and love to all- thank you for praying for a good traveling day for me- your prayers were answered in full!
~A
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