"Auntie Katie Stuck"...

                                                  "...Auntie Katie home now"

My neice's words above describe perfectly my experience of 'Euro Freeze' (snow causing  severe disruption to one of the largest airport in the world for 5 days and closure of lots of other European airports). Three days stuck within a mile radius of an airport, one lonely breakfast, very long queues, lots of inaccurate information, seemingly endless phonecalls and online searches for flights, stress and almost delirious with fatigue by the end of it. Or I could describe it as three days in Toronto, new (probably lifelong!) friends, 3 nights free in 3 different hotels (with a bedroom all to myself ), free meals thrown in, an almost TV interview, lots of laughter to drown on the stress, more ups than downs, amazing support from family and friends and home in time for Christmas. 

It would have been a very interesting study in human behaviour too: some staff were so sympathetic and helpful (which made all the difference in the world to the situation) , one  man (Jeff - our group were on first name terms by the end of it!) was telling us  he had 35  people staying in his house when 9/11 happened. I realise everyone's circumstances are different (I am healthy, didn't have children or a job to get home to)  but I like to think that attitude and perspective make all the difference to these unplanned mishaps :).

Yes, yes I know - the hat really suits me 

;)

Happy Christmas Everyone!!

New friends...

A Gingerbread version of one of the hotels we stayed in. (as you do)

Abandoned luggage at Heathrow

Jeff finally checking us in!!

Toronto: Saturday, Heathrow: Wednesday. Phew.

Food for thought.

Finally, I have been able to celebrate Thanksgiving! Prior to this year, my only knowledge of it was from watching 'Friends' episodes and dashing around Tesco's with an American student a few years ago looking for 'pie crusts' to make apple pie (they don't sell them by the way).  I had lots of great food (my personal favourite was the sweet potato & marshmallow dish - yes that is right they are served together as one rather fabulous accompaniment to the turkey. I also got to play in the snow in Oregon and meet even more very welcoming Americans :).

When I was about 15 someone told me about a piece of research called 'The Global Village' where they had reduced the world's statistics to a village of 100 people. What was I thankful for this Thanksgiving? I will let this speak for itself!

If the world was a Village of 100 people...

• 1 would have a degree 
• 14 would have access to a phone.
• 7 would have a computer
• 33 adults would be unable to read.
• 24 would have no electricity.
• 80 would live in substandard housing.
• 50 would be malnourished.

It's hard to believe isn't it! Apparently, those of us who have food in the fridge, clothes to wear, a roof over your head and somewhere to sleep are more comfortable than 75% of the world.

I can remember reading those facts at 15 changed my perspective of 'normal' . Now being in California and regularly hearing people's experiences that are so different to my own (e.g. people at school with me who used to be homeless and some who were cocaine/alcohol addicts) and also hearing different guest speakers who have spent their lives working with orphans, prisoners or recovering heroine addicts - my perspective of normal is continuing to change!

Cheesy shot of me and the dessert -pre-pie crust!

Sweet potato, cranberries, marshmallows and pecans...looks a bit grim, tastes fabulous :)

Official information about the Global Village stats: http://www.odt.org/popvillage.htm