An accidental Tourist in Amsterdam

Missed the flight back home because of a delay in the Paris airport having something to do with radar failure that caused all planes departing CDG Paris to be delayed by 2 hours.

Incompetent fools.

Called home at 5am to let the parents know with no little amount of shock.

Reached Amsterdam cursing and swearing hard after seeing the word ‘departed’ for my flight status – more infuriatingly so, the KLM/Air France service desk refused any more help other than rebooking the flight back home 24 hours later, stating baldly that it was the fault of the Paris Airport and not theirs. Realised that there were 3 other people (unfortunately French) who also missed the same plane, and like unwiling stragglers who needed to bond quick, we now had to move ‘as a herd’ with the language barrier. Everything had to be on our expenses including transport, hotel bills, and meals - and nearly cash-poor, we wondered what to do for long moments.

The service desk sent us on our way with an excuse for a ‘care package that contained everything but shampoo and soap. At the last moment, we got a measly Eur 10 for airport meals. I wonder how they deal with the constant stream irate passengers (and there were many who missed their flights because of the Paris delay) who insist they ought to do more.

We ended up at a Hotel Barbacan that looked forbidding in the night when we arrived; the creaky stairways and isolated roomsare atmospheric enough to force re-play scenes of zombie/slasher B-grade movies.

The morning dawned bright yet dreary – it is drizzling as I type and I’m about ready to check out with the bulky things in my backpack.

Let us see how the rest of the adventures go for the day. I will see you at home – we all must keep our fingers crossed, and pray, shan’t we?