Home from Europe

I could have sworn I had posted more posts over the last month. All in my head apparently. Although I'll sometimes write them elsewhere, and they never make it to blog land.



Anyways, was just gone for two weeks. I was able to swing it so that my last trip to Abu Dhabi was at the end of the month so on my way back, I had a long lay over in Europe - a week long.



First, I have to mention two things about Abu Dhabi - the weather and driving. I arrive around midnight after 24 hours traveling (on paper but not technically). Our plane deboards such that we exit onto the tarmac and board a bus. I leave the comforts of the front cabin, to walk out to the top of the stairs and my glasses fog up. I'm hit with a wall of humidity. Hot humidity. It felt like walking into a sauna. It was crazy. I was wondering if I would make it. Surprisingly I was the hottest in europe where it wasn't as hot or humid and everywhere wasn't super ACd. I did end up having to have an outfit cleaned while in Abu Dhabi though. I went out on site one morning (early before it got 'hot' - it was still hot). By the end, my clothes were soaked. Though not as bad as it could have been the week before. It cooled down for my visit - not that I could tell. It was still hot. Even at night. The weird thing though was I can't remember if it was hot the last day I was there on Friday. Either it wasn't or I just got used to being hit by the sauna wall everytime I was outside.



The second thing was that I rented a car this time. I knew my way around, actually didn't use a map and was able to wing it. So I get in midnight, pick up my rental car and it's about 1 am. I hop onto the highway to head to the center of town. Not much traffic, but as I'm coming down the entrance ramp, the cars on the highway woosh past - super fast. That's the thing. It's not chaotic driving, people use lanes and respect lights. It's just, as one person put it, you have to have 10 eyes on the road - defensive driving. There a few folks that just drive really really fast. Like 120 mph fast. So you're on the highway going 60+ mph (or more) and all of a sudden you hear a whoomp. It's the change in air pressure as a car wizzes by twice your speed. Not too bad, just need to not get in the path of the car.



The other part of driving is the floating. Speeders and floaters those are the two things to watch for. There are a lot of random drivers. You see this in the US some. You're driving along and someone floats from their lane into yours. They're not paying attention and are oblivious to others. It's entertaining once you get the hang of it. Really not that bad, although I really just drove from the airport to the hotel, and then from the hotel to the site a few blocks away. Did end up driving around some on Friday but that was more normal city driving.



Then off to Frankfurt for a few days of site seeing. I was a little worried as I hadn't booked a place as I wasn't sure whether to stay in frankfurt or travel beyond. Glad I stayed as moving around can wear you out. I was still tired after three days of walking around though. Actually the first day was torture. I have it written down so will have to post the recording of the Saturday. Check in wasn't until 3 pm. My flight arrived at 6 am. I was extremely tired as I'm not an all-nighter kind of girl and didn't sleep much on the flight.



Bought a museum pass which was a good deal and enjoyed my hotel. It was a last minute find - modernly revamped hotel near the train station and center of town. I lucked out that it was in a good neighborhood, as there were a lot of not so good neighborhoods near by. Also, it had a wonderful breakfast included - no american spread. Tons of selections - great fresh brown bread and real cheeses and meats and eggs and fruit - all great european quality. Really good to start the day filled up. My room was wonderful - not for everyone. I think it was about 6 feet wide. But everything fit - very compact and small but cozy and well built.



Then off to Stockholm to meet dad and B at the airport - they got in a few hours before me and we made it to our hotel in the town north of Stockholm where B grew up. Just 15 minute train ride from the center of Stockholm. Ended up hurting my left foot - the top is sprained. Not sure when, where or how. Lots of sight seeing, but will save that for another entry accompanied by pictures. At least that's the plan.



Got home late last night and couldn't wait to see the boys. We had a little love fest even though they weren't great in their kitty litter department. I've got some cleaning to do when I get home. But good to be home although still trying to adjust back into this world. Funny how being away seems like another reality.