Jul 22,
This morning we drove about 5 hours from France to Italy. It was supposed to be closer to 4, but we had to wait a while to enter the tunnel. We stopped once for restroom and snacks, but other than that drove straight to the restaurant where Lionel asked his brother to please make us a reservation.
We should be there in about 15 mins. Can’t wait for Bella’s big surprise!
Jul 21,
Today we got a late start. Even I got up late. Well, Lionel did wake up at a decent time, but I woke up late and the girls woke up even later.
When we finally got ready we had lunch at a Crepes place called Chez Leon. As usual, they gave us the tiniest pitcher with water and the tiniest glasses. Each one of us could literally drink 2 of those by ourselves in one sitting.
After lunch we drove around the lake for a while, and then walked for about 30 minutes before heading back to the apartment to rest for a little bit before dinner. It was supposed to be a rainy day, but it only rained in the morning and for a few minutes at the end of our walk.
For dinner we went to a place called Nuance, and then walked around. The weather was pleasant, and the sun reflection looked beautiful in some of the buildings. Sofia even decided to go up a steep hill to be able to see it better. It was a lovely evening.
When we came back to the apartment we took showers and started packing, as tomorrow we leave at 8:00am. We have a 4-5 hour drive, and a special lunch at 1:00pm that we don’t want to miss.
Jul 20,
While I did not have my suitcase, I was not going to let that ruin my first official vacation day. So after taking a shower, and putting on my same dress from the day before, we went to check out Annecy. It was sunny and hot - definitely summer weather.
We had lunch at a place called "dip", and then went to buy some toiletries, some outfits, and to walk by the lake. Since I was not sure when they would deliver my suitcase, I did not want to take my chances and have to wear the same thing 3 days in a row.
In the evening, after showers and resting for a bit, we went out for dinner. And at about 10:30 pm they finally delivered my suitcase.
Jul 19,
Today was a complete nightmare both for work and for travel. I first got up at 3:00am to take my 6:00am flight from Berlin to Amsterdam, on my way to Geneva. I was supposed to take a flight from Amsterdam to to Geneva at 9:40 am, and arrive pretty much at the same time as Lionel and the girls. However, given the issue Microsoft and Crowdstrike generated overnight - that we will remember for years and years to come as a huge mess up - my flight to Geneva first got delayed, and then got cancelled. When they announced it was cancelled they provided no additional information, so I was just sitting there in the super crowded gate area, fighting to stay awake. I called the Delta Platinum phone number to see if they could help and they confirmed KLM (a Delta Partner) had put me in the 5:10pm flight that same day, and that there were no other options before then. I was also one of the lucky ones, because of my current miles status, as others got booked in the 5:10pm flight but the next day.
Since I was going to be at the airport all day I tried to go to the KLM lounge. I was not traveling business, so I didn't have default access, but I was willing to pay the $50 fee for the day. Unfortunately, when I got there they told me that because it was a "disruption day", they were not able to let people in for the day. I went and bought a sandwich for lunch, and then parked myself at a Starbucks. I found a good spot in a corner, where I could also plug in my phone, and essentially worked from there all afternoon.
The Microsoft issue caused massive chaos for our systems at work, so I spent the afternoon on emergency calls, sending instant messages back and forth, getting updates from my team, and drafting updates for our senior leaders. And being stranded at the airport certainly didn't help to make the day less stressful.
At about 4:30 pm I left my Starbucks seat to walk to my gate. The airport was still crowded and chaotic, and as soon as I got up someone else moved quickly to get my spot. I walked to my gate not knowing if my plane was going to take off this time around, even thought it still looked to be on time. Several airlines had paused flying all day altogether, and all had cancelled or delayed flights.
My flight did take off, and I landed in Geneva at about 6:40pm. Unfortunately my suitcase did not make it once again, so I had to go to the baggage office and file a claim. The status in their system said "mishandled", and they could tell it was still somewhere in Amsterdam. They captured my temporary address, and said they would hope to deliver it the next day, or Sunday at the latest.
After that long of a day I was annoyed to not have my suitcase once again, but also relieved to be with my family. Lionel picked me up from the airport, and we drove back to the rental place to get the girls and go out to eat, before finally crashing for the day.
Jul 18,
The trip to Berlin went smoothly, with no delays and no issues getting my connection in Amsterdam. The only annoyance during the trip was the old man sitting in front of me arguing with the flight attendant because she wouldn't give him a 5th alcoholic drink - after 2 beers and 2 whiskeys! I was definitely hating on him for not letting me sleep. However, while the trip went well, my suitcase never came out when I arrived in Berlin. I had to go to the hotel without it and call delta to report the missing suitcase. They created a report with KLM, and arranged for the suitcase to be delivered.
I knew the hotel room would not be ready, since I arrived in the morning, so as soon as I got to the hotel I dropped off my backpack at the reception and went to walk around for like 3 hours - the best way to stay awake and fight the jetlag. I also bought myself a couple of outfits, suspecting my suitcase would not be delivered the same day. I had one clean outfit in my backpack, but I needed it for the evening and it was not appropriate for the plant. It was a dress and at the plant you need to cover your legs for safety reasons.
I am glad I went shopping that first day, because my suitcase was delivered the next day, sometime during the day. It was in the room when I came back in the evening. I was glad to have something to wear, but also had to get over the fact that everyone else was dressed up and with my summery outfit I probably looked like I was someone's daughter. Regardless, the week went well. Very productive during the day and a couple of evening walks with coworkers after sitting around most of the day. That was good to get some movement going, and to visit some of the famous sights that I never got the chance to see last time I was here.
