And We Are Off....

No matter how many trips I plan or take, I never seem to get over the stress of getting the first part of the trip going.  It does not matter if we are in a plane, train or automobile I just want the trip to start.

So early this morning that day finally arrived and set off on our Taylor Schlitz Family Amazing Race 2014.  We are fans of the show and today we actually hit a few road blocks, detours and challenges.

When we first arrived at DFW Airport, we were met by the wonderful and friendly staff of KLM.  They were very helpful and were quick to give us our first roadblock.  It seems that when you fly internationally, at least on KLM, that they actually do care now about the total weight of each of your carry on pieces of luggage.  Of course we spent months planning how to pack for this adventure and it all went up in smoke in a few minutes on the KLM luggage scales.  So here we are at the check-in counter opening and pulling stuff out of bags and moving them to other bags.  After 15 minutes of the bag game, we were finally able to get all the bag weights correct and move on to airport security.

Oh my old friend TSA.  Just when I think I might start to miss you I go on a trip and realize how crazy we have made air travel post 911.  I am not going to go into a long diatribe about it but as usual this "challenge" is time consuming especially when you have three children.  The TSA agents were nice and helpful but it just seems like there has to be a better way to do this.  A side note to the creative staff of Amazing Race you should really incorporate navigating TSA as a challenge.  Just provide each team with two or three kids and have them have to get through this process.

Once in the airport we were able to catch our breath and grab a quick snack.  Before we knew it the time had come to board the flight to Amsterdam.  Once again the staff at KLM was amazing.  Super friendly and well organized.  We were allowed to pre-board and got to our seats with time to put our bags up in the overhead (this will lead to our second challenge when we land in Amsterdam).

We choose to go economy plus on KLM because we felt the extra leg and reclining room may help us feel fresher and ready to navigate Amsterdam when we land.  The extra leg room was great and made it easier to sit in one place for 8 hours.

Right after takeoff we were served our first meal.  Myiesha had pre-ordered kids meals and gluten free meals for all of us.  Sometimes ordering gluten free can be an amazing/scary food adventure but the meal was amazingly good.  After the dinner it was time to catch up on a couple of movies.  I finally got to see Monument Men and Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  Breakfast came about an hour before we landed and it was also great.  I can only imagine how great the business class is when the economy class is treated so well.  Great job KLM.

I must say that my wife really had the kids ready for this trip.  She had everything packed for them that they would need during the flight and that made it easy.  She is amazing to be married to.  In addition Haley, Ian and Hana did great on the flight.  They are natural travelers.  No worries at all.  Can navigate the airport without getting lost or confused.  Understand geography and distance extremely well.  They did not complain at all even with only 3 to 4 hours of sleep.

When we landed, we are all very tired.  8:00am in Amsterdam is 1:00am in Dallas/Fort Worth.  Kids actually got a couple of hours of sleep so at least they were functional.   After landing and getting to the gate it was time to depart the plane and unbeknownst to us the start of our second challenge.  We actually got of the plane very quickly and moved on to customs.  No line at customs and the customs officers was very helpful in getting us through the process in less than five minutes.  Shortest customs process I have ever gone through and I would recommend to all my friends and family flying through Amsterdam when heading to Europe.

Now we moved on to the meanest and biggest beast in the airport.....baggage claim.  As we wait for our bags to come out of the beast, Myiesha asks me a simple but complex question....how many bags did we check?  I confidently and proudly produce the claim checks to show her I was on my game.  Unfortunately my proud answer to this one question opened up another question and our latest "challenge".  It seems I miscounted the bags and had left my carry on on the plane.  CRAP!  How could I do that?  Well maybe lacking sleep and being stressed had a small part to do with it but I should have know better.

Faced with the challenge, we decided since it was my bag it was probably best I complete the challenge.  So off I run to the KLM baggage office to see if they had found my bag on the plane and how could I get it.  Once again the KLM staff acted like an "express pass".  I know I came across like a crazy American when I spoke with them but I was so tired.  They very calmly called the gate and were quickly informed that my bag had been found.  Great I thought but you know there will be a catch.  Wait for it.  Here it comes.  The polite KLM staff inform me that although the bag had been found it could take up to 24 hours to get it.  (Tired William must do all he can not to lose it).     I think my facial expression must have gotten me some sympathy because after another quick talk in Dutch with the gate agent I was informed that my bag would be brought up to me soon.  Of course there was a language issue that had us waiting in the wrong location but after 30 minutes we had the bag and we were on our way to meet our car service.

The car service was great.  Very friendly and it really helped to have someone not tired meeting us at the airport to help us get all our bags to a car and then to our apartment.  I had thought about using public transit but I am glad I decided against it.  We were in no shape to navigate language and an unfamiliar city transit system after the flight.

There was a slight traffic backup on the freeway but we were to our Amsterdam apartment in about 20 minutes.  When we arrived at our apartment (thank Wouter for helping us get in at 10am instead of 4pm) we were met by a wonderful young woman who gave us a quick tour, tips for getting to city center and the key.  I cant believe we had made it to our first "Pit Stop".   It was a heck of a travel experience but we had made it and we weren't eliminated.  All we need was the carpet and Phil and it would have been real.  LOL.

After unpacking, we decided to go out and explore, get a quick meal and stop by the local grocery store to get a few things for the apartment.  We had Mediterranean food and it was good (or we were really hungry).  We went to the grocery store and in many ways it was the same but in many ways it was not.  It is always interesting to see how the American brands we are used to are re-branded in other nations.  Frosted Flakes is Frosties here. Wasn't sure what the difference was in the orange juice brands besides a traditional container or a rectangle shaped container.  Kids were happy because when we checked out they had some type of little toy promotion and they each received one for free.

I am amazed how small and specific many of the stores in Amsterdam seem to be.  I feel like if you want a fork you go to a fork store but to get a spoon you have to go to the spoon store. Very small town feel.  People are so helpful and seem very welcoming to us Americans from TEXAS.  LOL.  Side note we have told people Texas and get a blank stare but then share we are originally from California and those blank looks turn into smiles.

After our trip to the grocery store we decided to investigate a very large park near our apartment.  We quickly stumbled upon a playground and the kids took off running.  They had one large obstacle made from rope that went at least 3 stories high.  When we first got there a little boy, had to be 5 years old, had climbed all the way to the top.  Myiesha and I watched and she quickly whispered to me if this kid falls it is a "code orange" (maybe it was yellow but I am tired).  I laughed and then we saw our three kids deciding they would try to climb to the top.  It must be ok or they would have taken it down right?  So of course Hana the gymnast is moving quickly up the obstacle.  Haley, a little nervous about he height, pushes her fears aside and moves right up with Hana.  Ian, poor Ian, decides to be bold and start the climb.  Now we all know Ian does not like heights but he is quick to tell Myiesha and I he wants to do it.  So we watch as the girls make there way to the top and Ian comes to his senses about half way up and decides the view can not be worth the risk.  ( Will post pictures later).  A few minutes later and they are all off the obstacle and we are continuing our exploration of the park.

After a brisk walk on a park trail we come to another playground and of course the kids take off running.  Another few minutes of swings and slides and then they saw the junior zip line.  We must have spent 25 minutes of watching them each take a turn zipping down this junior zip line.  They had a blast and are still bugging us to go back tomorrow. But we have a full day planned starting with the Anne Frank house.  Not sure we have time for zip line adventures.

My final point is that it is very clear that the bike/scooter rule the roads here.  Yes there are cars but the bikes are truly everywhere.  They have their own roads that are clearly separated from autos.  This has caused us to constantly warn the kids to keep their heads up and looking for bikes/scooters/motorcycles.  I can see how a tourist here could really get hurt if they are not paying attention.

Well the first day is done and we are looking forward to getting some sleep and trying to adjust to the time change as quickly as possible.

More updates soon.