Return to Amsterdam

After some time home I had to return home. Normally that's a simple trip to Airport Sá Carneiro in Oporto and flying with TAP to Amsterdam. Well, is simple when it's simple... I was travelling thursday morning. Woke up at 6am, left house at 7am and arrived the airport at 8am. Did check in, spend some time with my parents, said goodbye and then went to the boarding gate. At 10am, time I should have been boarding the airplane was still not there. A few minutes before the flight to Paris had been canceled... and then I though... oh right, I heard something about a strike... ahhh it started today!!
So, I went to talk with the lady at the boarding gate and she told me that my flight was cancelled! But I didn't have to worry because they will solve it. So, after some discussion, the company plan is to send us from Oporto to Lisbon by bus (+/- 4h) and then in Lisbon we would take the plan that was leaving at 19h... So, we woul arrive at 15h in Lisbon and then wait 4h in the airport for a flight that could also be canceled... of course not! So, I decided to change my flight to friday. However, what really pissed me off, is that after I discovered that TAP was cancelling all flights since 6am in the morning, but no information was given to the passengers about that. And we did checkin and waited at the boarding gate as if everything as fine...

So, I spent the day home and next day headed to the airport. Since there was no need to arrive earlier in Amsterdam I took the flight at the end of the day. Went with my parents again and the same story. Spend some time with them, said goodbye and then headed to the boarding gate. We did lots of jokes that I would not spend the weekend in Amsterdam but in home (which, of course, I would not mind). When I arrived at the boarding gate, I saw a flow of people in the opposite direction and one of the airport ladies giving instruction. When I look to the display with the flight details at the boarding gate "CANCELED". Again??? So, patiently, as I'm always, I went to talk with the lady and ask for more information.
Me: Could you please tell me what is happening?
Airport lady (AL): Some problems were detected in the plane and the flight was cancelled. However, we have a flight that is going to Lisbon and from there you'll have a connection to Amsterdam.
Me: (Guess there is no strike...) Fine, but is the flight from Lisbon really confirmed?
AL: Yes, no need to worry.
Me: (Well, we never know...) Ok, but how long do we have to wait in Lisbon?
AL: 30 minutes
Me: (30 minutes? and they are really boarding everyone plus the luggage) humm, and is 30m enough for boarding the luggage or the baggage is going later?
AL: No need to worry, it is enough to change the luggage also.
Me: Ok... let's see how it goes.

So, I went to the airplane and I was already sitted I decided to check whether I had the luggage ticket. And for some reason I had lost it. So, I went running to a flight attendant, explained her that I didn't knew what happened to my luggage ticket and if I could go back to ask for it. I was told to run a to please return... So while everyone was already sitted and the plane was almost ready to leave, I was running like crazy back to the airport to talk with the people from the boarding. No luggage ticket but at least I was able to get the reference number. (explanation, if my luggage for some reason is misplaced or if it is not sent in the same flight, because there was not enough time to change all luggage, or because in hurry somethign could go wrong, without the luggage ticket or the number is almost impossible to track down my luggage)... So, with the number I was much more reliefed and then ran back to the airplane. Of course my parents were waiting that the airplane took off and saw me running back to the airport and then back to the airplane... They laugh...

So, the flight went smoothly to Lisbon. Is 20 minutes trip anyway... and then we arrived and were asked to change plane. In the airplane field there was a person with a plate saying "Amsterdam" in a front of a bus. So, we headed to the bus and then the guy started to ask for our tickets. So, instead of checking the tickets at the boarding gate, we were checked at the door of the bus. Funniest boarding I ever had. We went in the bus for 5 minutes and then we were at another plane. Once there I asked when is the plane supposed to leave. The answer was "We don't know... we are waiting for passengers from other flight. But once we leave 2h20m after we're in Amsterdam"... The flight attendance was really sweat and had a great smile and I really couldn't resist laugh. I was also in really good mood which helped a lot! So, again patiently, sitted and started read the newspaper. After 20m or so, I was told that I had been upgraded to first class and I should move place. Nice! :)
I felt a bit uncomfortable then, because I had to take all my luggage that was already organized and open :P So, I closed everything, brought suitecase, backpack newspapers, coat... and then move to first class. I went to the better place in the airplane where you have the extra space for the legs! Really great!
The trip was fabulous. I read all newspapers I have brought, had a really good meal (with starters, main course, excellent wine, desert and tea). I was really starving, but the food was so good that I thought I was in paradise! :)
So, in the end it was one of the most pleasant trips I had... Much later than I was hoping but I arrived well at Amsterdam.

LESI Party @ Amsterdam

I was never fan of parties that involved all people of the same graduation. I always preferred small parties with more close friends. But this time was different. It was a LESI party in Amsterdam. A party of portuguese people, all from the same university, graduation but different years but in Amsterdam. Some of us didn't knew that we were living in Ams for a couple of years already... It was a great fun, and of course we were exchanging living experiences, tricks, knowing about portuguese restaurants and shops, and of course meeting other people (more portuguese mafia, and spanish and italian, and others...).

A week passed

A week has passed that a dear familiar had passed away. I was having a normal day at work when I received the call. First I went blank, without knowing what to say or do. Then I just felt I needed to be at home. Living more than 2000km from home complicates things a bit. I went from a numb to nervous, everything running very fast... I arranged a flight to get home, ran to my apartment to arrange some clothes and stuff and a few hours later I was flying, first to Frankfurt and then to Porto. I guess one never believes that someone is dead... we kind of have to see it. And when seeing we are always expecting for a movement, something...
I made it home in the same day, and the funeral was the day after... Last time I was on that church was many many years ago doing First Communion. It is easy to face things in silence when no one is around, but when family and friends start arrive is not possible not to break down.
The following days, was just spent with the family and slowly start again.

Don't stop me now...

For some time that I have not been blogging. Not because of lack of ideas or activities. To be honest just a bit laziness and lot of work.
After returning from home in the beginning of January I've started work at a very fast rhythm. I would say at a trash-metal rhythm, even that's not my style! I've been spending much more than 8h a day in the company, working more than 5 days a week... almost reminds me the good 'ol times back in the University. I fell tired, sleepy and sometimes even grumpy but I feel good, because I'm seing progress and results!! It's being a lot of work, but is a great felling of accomplishment.
Today I've finished another paper. From one side, it is relieving: one less worry, and bit more free time for other things. From other side, more work, I will finally have time to focus in the next paper (which I will start this week), and more ideas since they keep popping about cooler and cooler stuff...
Yahh... guess I can't get any rest... but I'm loving it... so, don't stop me now 'cause I'm having a good time...

AC/DC

No, I'm not talking about electricity! :) Today, I've accomplished part of a dream that I had for 12 years!
12 years ago the rock band AC/DC released an album called Ballbreaker and went for a world tour. One of their concerts was in Portugal, and since I was a great fan I didn't want to miss.
Now the problem was, how could I, with 15-16 years convince my parents to allow me to go to the concert... I guess I'm excused to say that I couldn't convince them, and with a great shame I missed the concert.
To make things a bit worse, they didn't release any more album or did any other concert since than. But I keept alive the dream that someday I could see them play live!
A few months ago they released a new album a shortly after a world tour! I had my expectations really high since finally I would have the chance to make the dream come true! However, when I tried to buy tickets they were sold out. I've saw some tickets in black-market but no way... too expensive! :(
I was so close to make the dream come true but I couldn't make it... and I was loosing my hope...

This week, however, AC/DC announced stadium concerts and Amsterdam was included in the list of cities they will tour! So, I though, this time I really can not miss it! And I didn't! :D
I just bought tickets for AC/DC... now I only have to wait until June... :P (well, if I waited 12 years for this moment, 6 months is nothing...) Hail Hail Rock N' Roll! :D

Amsterdam @ sunrise

Sunrise near Amsterdam centraal station.

Hartelijk gefeliciteerd met mij verjaardag

:)