"...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 :).
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| Yes, yes I know - the hat really suits me | | | ;) |
Happy Christmas Everyone!!
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| New friends... |
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| A Gingerbread version of one of the hotels we stayed in. (as you do) |
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| Abandoned luggage at Heathrow |
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| Jeff finally checking us in!! |
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| Toronto: Saturday, Heathrow: Wednesday. Phew. |
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