Med Trip - June 26 & 27

June 26
Unfortunately,our last day in Holland felt more like waiting for this trip to end rather than a chance to enjoy the country. Rain was in the forecast and the wind was cool. Our apartment had pasture on two sides, which was leased to a local farmer, who grazed his cows on it for a several hours per day, rotating them around different sections of the field. For the second day in a row, they went to the land immediately beside our apartment. I was standing by the fence watching as the herd of about 150 dairy cows entered the field. They came running towards me, some kicking up their hind legs as they ran. They stopped short of me, as we were separated by an electric fence, and gather around, staring at me. Jo and I really enjoyed the sight of grazing cows around our place. It became sunny so we all went for a walk down the typical, tree-lined country road, to the village of Broekland. It seemed almost deserted. We got back just in time. Soon, there was a major downpour and lightning. We just hung around after that, until we were starving for lunch. Since our trip was winding down, food was running out and the breakfast of fried eggs and untoasted bread was replaced by unbuttered raison buns. Definitely time to go! We drove to Deventer and discovered hat the city was closed. Being Sunday, not only were all shops closed, but so were restaurants. We drove around in vain and then headed for home. We did find an Australian family diner and had more krokets, except Jo. We hung around again, packing, etc. Until dinner. I got my complete boerekoel dinner and Jo had an endive stampot. These were like tv dinners, with the main stampot and a compartment with sausage and gravy. Very good! Supposedly there was a family of "stein" owls living in an owl box near our place, but despite my best efforts, I had not seen any sign of them. That night Albert, the owner, took me to see the box and open it up. It was empty. Stein owls are tiny owls no larger than a burrowing owl. These were registered with the government ministry, who in May had banded the mother and owlets. In the evening, we had to finish off the remaining wine and limoncello. It was sad to think of leaving this place, but the unsettled weather in Holland, that for the first time on our trip, effected our plans, made it easier. That and our kids of course. Ok, Stewie too. We appreciate having been able to connect with them from time to time for very brief moments, since the 9 hour, 10 hour in Greece, time change meant either of us was always just going to bed or just getting up. Apart from the kids, we have barely had any news from home.

June 27
One very long day began with the alarm at 5AM. We were off to Amsterdam's Schiphol by 5:30. Apart from a few very brief slowdowns, traffic was very good. Since we flew to Rome with Air Canada, and were returning from a different city with Lufthansa, we were unable to book in and secure seats. We were given the leftovers on two very full flights, one to Frankfurt and then to Vancouver. The Frankfurt flight was so short, that they quickly handed out a prepackaged sandwich, served the front half of the plane drinks, and then had to pack up for landing. The sandwich looked like it was made by a typical Dutchman, a dry slice of bread with a little mayo and thin slice of deli meat. Needless to say, we were in the back and did not get drinks. The 9 hour flight to Vancouver was a different story. First of all, Lufhansa had no ticket for BIL. The story was that ticket numbers for BIL and sister G were accidentally swapped. When the entered in the ticket the right way, it overwrote the other booking and cancelled it. The flight was full. It made no sense, but they had a tough time getting a seat, although they ended up sitting beside each other with an aisle between. At this point, I would kill for that. I am writing this, crammed into my seat. Jo and I were separated by several rows, and could not change. She sat on he side, by the aisle. I had a seat in the middle section that had 4 seats. I was in the third seat. The third seat does not have its own leg space. The support for the seat in front comes down off centre. That meant that my left leg had to share space with the person on my left, of which 2/3 was mine. My right leg had to share space with the person on my right, of which 1/3 was mine. On my left was a Chinese couple who spoke no English. On my right was an old sikh gentleman who spoke no English either, but grunted and cleared his throat every 5 to 10 seconds throughout the flight. He also had no concept of sharing, claiming both arm rests, and putting a small leather bag in my little right leg space. We sat in the second row behind the bulkhead. The bulkhead seats are bought by young families with crying babies and toddlers. Even though this is a very busy area, with stewards preparing food carts, people trying to entertain their infants, etc., when the food and drink is served, it bypasses this area. I think someone is trying to kill me.
It is difficult for me to write this. This is due to my turbaned friend asleep while leaning over our shared armrest and driving his knee into my thigh. This is the highest contender for worst flight ever. Besides my friend and I playing knee-butt for my little piece of leg space, and being crowded out while he turned his back to me to talk to his son(?) across the aisle, the flight crew is no better. However, I am happy to report I have achieved the impossible, invisibility. My entertainment system did not work for the first few hours. When lunch was served, I was asked if I wanted pasta or a meat dish that included either chicken or beef. I opted for the chicken. I got a tray with wilted lettuce, a dry bun and a piece of cheese. He said he only had pasta on his tray right then. The entree never came. I overheard from a conversation another unhappy person had that we were last to be served and they had run out of everything but meatless ravioli. Another stewardess came by for drinks and I asked for a coffee. Couldn't be done. She only had cold drinks. I asked what there was. She said pop, water or juices. I took a juice. Later I saw that people, including Jo were getting wine and beer. I did finally get coffee, but declined the sugar and cream, since I saw a wrapped block that looked like two sugar cubes. Nope, it was a small chocolate cracker. I drank my coffee without. Why should I enjoy my coffee when I didn't enjoy anything else so far? Not that they ever offered me a refill. The guy who served me the entree-less tray never did return to me, and when quite some time later he came by to pick up the used trays, he picked up my turban friend's tray but ignored mine. I am invisible! I had to wait before another stewardess finally saw tray and relieved me of it. Unfortunately, my neighbour soiled his white shirt during lunch, and dug his elbow into me while trying to wipe it. On the bright side, we are almost 5 hours into our flight and have already enjoyed more than half an hour without babies crying, although not continuously.
We are now 40 minutes from YVR, and it could not cone soon enough. After some people got a meal and drinks early on in the flight, there was about 6 hours of no service whatsoever. People had to go to the kitchen and help themselves. Finally, with an hour to go, we got a second meal. Even I got one! And a glass of wine. My friend continues to encroach on me, and unfortunately, only got up twice. However, the throat clearing stop. It was replaced with horking. Counting the seconds til we land.
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