The trip here

It was a hectic morning getting all the luggage together and out the door.  A few last minute things were forgotten in the process, the worst of which were my wedding and engagement rings.  I usually don't wear them because they are so loose, but I wanted to have them.  E will get them when he goes back for work.

The trip itself was fine.  The best part, by far, was the trip to the airport.  We hadn't thought through very well how we would get all the luggage there.  Luckily my mom, dad, and step-mom told us we were crazy to consider renting two minivans and all chipped in for a limo service.  So we rode to Dulles in a huge suv limo with a sofa, bar, video screen, and star lights in the ceiling.  The kids were ecstatic, and everyone arrived at the airport happy and rested.  A good thing, since our trip door to door took about 23 hours.  I could go on and on about what a good idea the limo was, and how the kids liked every part of it, including people turning their heads and wondering who was inside.  Obviously not bachelorettes or a wedding party on Monday morning!


So the flight and all that was about what you would expect.  We never had more than two kids asleep at once, and never for more than a couple of hours.  As usual, E claims not to have slept at all.  Those who know him know that is impossible.  I don't think I slept at all either.  You can decide for yourself whether that's likely, but keep in mind I had T sleeping on me and thrashing all over the place.

Finally we arrived and were met at the airport by two of Eric's awesome colleagues who helped us get five trolleys of luggage loaded into the van and then into our hotel rooms.  We had to stay in a hotel for a couple of days until our apartment was available.  The hotel had a beautiful view over Lake Zurich, and the girls' room had a balcony, too, so no complaints.  Also, it was really nice to have a couple of days to acclimate during which I couldn't unpack or cook or clean.

Here is a weird thing.  I am writing this two weeks later, since we only just got and internet connection.  Yesterday I was standing on a train platform and a man came up to us to offer T a little smurf ball.  We have been offered several smurf balls on trains now.  The movie is being promoted very aggressively and they must be putting these balls in something adults buy.  The strange thing is, the man looked familiar.  I was frozen, running through the very few men I've met here and not coming up with any matches.  That didn't mean much, though.  I am awful with faces, especially out of context. I once didn't recognize my roommates on the street.  It turned out to be the man R sat next to on the plane from Iceland to Zurich.