September 22, 2012

30 Hours to Cairo

Yesterday, which really seems like today since I've been awake more than 30 hours, was a blur. I woke up early and went into final packing mode for my trip to Cairo. I took a brief jog break in an attempt to recover from the 20-miler the other day. It was a struggle, but I enjoyed my last glimpse of the NYC skyline for awhile.




Then I treated myself to a ridiculously good $4 coffee.




Then at 3pm I left my apartment to start my roughly 30 hour journey to Cairo. I landed in Amsterdam, my first destination, at 12:46am EST - talk about not being rested. I think I napped two fitful hours.




I pulled myself together in the KLM lounge and hopped on the train for Amsterdam Centraal. It's been four years since my last visit and I've really missed it.




It was sunny. Then cold. Then pouring rain. Then sunny. Then raining. Then warm. Then cold. I LOVE The Netherlands! I wandered until my feet would have no more. Unfortunately I was all gimped up from the flight and barely able to move. I stopped for lunch and a little pick-me-up in the charming 9 Streets area.




Then I went in search of shoes. Any shoes would be better than my flip flops with horrible foot pain and 55 degree temps. Thank you, Sketchers.




Then the highlight of my day: stopping by my favorite beer bar in the world, Bierproeflokaal In De Wildeman. I first went there in 1996 with my dad and have been back many times over the years. It's always the same and I love that.




I sat there for nearly three hours sipping beer, nibbling smoked beef sausage and reading. I also got to catch up with a couple old friends.




In the meantime, my friend Keely has already arrived in Cairo and sent me a photo of our hotel.




I've got nearly seven more hours to go before I'll arrive there myself but as they say, it's about the journey, not the destination. I haven't slept and I'm running on fumes, but I've really loved today's long journey.

7 comments:

  1. Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren't loading correctly. I'm not
    sure why but I think its a linking issue. I've tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.
    My webpage > best exercises for delts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the heads up. I checked from mobile and the computer and all seems fine, maybe there was a glitch when you read. I used an app called BlogPress and it doesn't always cooperate!

      Delete
  2. Hey Kristin! I just wanted to drop by and thank you for the awesome comment you left on my Ironman Madison post! It was a tough day mentally, physically and emotionally. I still can't believe it went down the way it did.
    Thank you for cheering me on and for all the kind words!
    I'm sorry to hear that the same thing happened during the LA Marathon. It's so frustrating after so much training! As long as we take those experiences, use them and keep going, we don't lose anything :)

    Have a great time on your vacay!!!!!!!!!
    I'll be back for Ironman, when the time is right. And I'll be meaner and tougher than ever :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I only wish we'd had a chance to meet while there! Though I think we live less than 2 hours apart so we could always do an East Coast meet up.

      Delete
  3. 30 hours of traveling? I would rather race an Ironman!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hopefully someone is watching Otis! :)

    -Bobby
    DreamChaser

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't worry, he had the best care money could buy! :)

      Delete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...