40 days left…Java, Bali, Bangkok

7th of May, the day I was supposed to fly back home. I had 40 days left when I flew back from Melbourne last minute. Most of the trip home, kind of went right passed me. Not only because I had missed a night of sleep, but everything had happened so fast and unexpectedly that I just didn't quite get it, I couldn't process it and I was sure something would go wrong and I would get stuck somewhere. The layover in Indonesia was long and then even longer when the flight was delayed, it was the same area that I was with my mom last year, waiting for our flight home. It's was all too weird, I had a 10 day train trip planned through Java by myself until one of my friends would meet me in Yogyakarta and we would have 8 days on Java doing all sorts of things and end our time with a few relaxing days on Bali. My mom would then fly in the day my friend flew out and we would spend 2 weeks together in Bali, just…chilling. And I would meet a colleague there when my mom left and end up in Bangkok before flying home, as usual. I would have a few beers with another friend from home that just happened to be there (again, as usual) and then fly to Amsterdam, take the train to Arnhem and arrive around midnight, have a beer at a local bar and then go home.

That's what could and probably would have been, but we all know what happened, sweet, sweet Corona. And so this is how I actually spend my last 40 days...

I arrived on a Sunday, had to take 2 trains back. During my transfer a woman took a few steps back when she saw me with my backpack. I slept like a baby on my second flight, I never sleep much on flights, let alone most of it! Even one of the passenger in my row said WOW, it's amazing that you can sleep this much. And arriving in Amsterdam, I was kind of well rested and I just smiled. I was back and the sun was shining. I refused to take my flipflops off until I got home (always do), even when my toes are about to freeze off. My mom met me at the train station in Arnhem with a bag of groceries (including toilet paper haha), total surprise. She put the bag down, took a few steps back so I could pick up the bag from the floor and we went our separate ways to our buses. I got home, unpacked, did my laundry, cleaned up, again, as usual. And went to the supermarket to stock up. I always have lots of everything at home..but I finished all I had or gave it to friends and family before I left. Not thinking I would come back in a time where I would actually need all of it. But luckily there was still plenty of food and stuff in the supermarkets. The weather had turned that day and it was cold and grey outside and I didn't have internet or tv yet so I felt bored…I remember thinking that and that it was going to be a loooong month. I then went to bed at a normal time.

I went to the office the next day to pick up my laptop and started working straight away. No more actual meetings, everything happened online. I wasn't allowed back in the office for the next 14days, even though there was nobody there. But alright. Because I wasn't supposed to be back this early, I was still waiting to be hooked up to the internet and have tv again. I think they hooked me up by the end of the week, wootwoot! And so before they did, I went to bed pretty early every night, I didn't have much else to do at night. During the day, I worked and after, tried to figure out my cancelled flight, insurances, etc. (still not quite done with that). The weather has also been pretty darn good and so I went to my mom's house a lot and worked on her back yard after work or during the weekend for a couple of weeks. And if I wasn't there, I did groceries or worked on my own home improvements. This time at 'home', this Corona-situation, has turned me into a gardener, a painter, a builder, anything that needed hands on work.

And it's funny how easy we get used to new situations, standing in line for instance. Which I think it really good, it teaches people patience. And I must say with all my projects and work going on, I haven't really felt the need to see people or go out and do stuff. I saw my mom a lot, my sisters once or twice (separate) and went on a walk twice with a friend.  And it's all been enough. I've had no human physical contact, no hugs, no hands shakes, no nothing. And it's funny to watch tv and see all this still going on, thinking we can't do any of that anymore (for now anyway), so yeah it's like a new world and it's fascinating.

I have felt bursting with energy mostly every day. I think I set one alarm since I got back, but woke up before 8am every day. These last 40 days have actually been really really good, outside of the health issues I've had (none of which are Corona related btw) but none of them stopped me from doing whatever. Except for one day, last Tuesday, a national holiday of all days..but yeah, I feel at ease, I feel happy, I feel really good. And I think the weather has been a huge help in all of it!!

Well, until next time, take care, be safe, lots of digital hugs :-)!

T.

Settling in

I've been in Melbourne for a week now and still do not know when I'm going home. Last weekend I booked a flight home last minute and I remember saying "they won't cancel any flights this week, maybe after the 1st of April or next week but surely not within 5 days" and so things were fine and my friends left on Monday, trying to get to Queensland before more states shut their borders (which they did but my friends made it in time!). And within 24 hours of me booking my flight and watching news all day, it still didn't feel certain. And so, right before I went to bed, I Googled Etihad flights and guess what, they just announced that all flights going through Abu Dhabi would be suspended starting midnight on Wednesday (into Thursday). And so that meant that my flight scheduled to leave on that Friday, not even 48hours after the suspension would start, would also get cancelled. 

I told my family that it would probably be cancelled, after I already told them I had a flight and my sister send me a link of a news article that had just been published to register for repratiation flights organized by the Dutch government. I did not register right away because things could still change. Emirates had suspended all their flights earlier and within 24hours changed it back because so many countries had asked them to, but only to change it again 48hours later. And so I wanted to wait until it was certain. I registered the next day when it was  onfirmed, agreeing to pay €900 (oef..). 

And then the morning after, I received a text from them that Qatar was still flying from here to Amsterdam and so first I checked that I could still book a flight on my own after registering and agreeing to pay the fee and I could and so I tried and tried and tried for hours to get through but I kept getting an undefined error on the last step. And so I stopped trying, for a minute I gave up. In that minute, that moment, I felt like I had no more options left, I just couldn't see a way out. Unless of course I wanted to spend €1500 or more but with the Etihad flight still in my name, I just couldn't. It took me so much effort to book that Etihad flight, because it was more than my return flight for this trip, I mean heck, it was almost as much as my first car!! I also just could not risk having another, would be my 3rd, flight and days away, meaning it could get cancelled again. It almost felt like the world, that I traveled with joy and passion, turned against me. Yes, I had a moment of weakness, making it a tough day.

I had already shared with people, with family, that I was flying home friday, but then I wasn't and I tried and tried and tried and nothing. And with the news about the repratiation flights, more and more friends asked me how I was, where I was, etc. Holland was waking up and I also had to tell my mom the bad news. And not only that but that I had no answers to anything, all I could tell her was that I still had a roof over my head and that I was healthy. And all my mom wanted was to have me home, like yesterday, and so telling her was tough. I didn't want her to worry, but I could't make this story any prettier, even though I of course told her all would be fine :-).

And it was nice that so many people cared and tried to help. Even work told me they will try and help out! And hearing that from my manager at that point when I felt what I felt, it was such a relieve, not that I know for sure that they can, but it was good to give my mom some good news, that there are people out there trying to help me and easing her mind, eased my mind as well. 

And so the feeling soon passed and with that, I got up the next day, full of energy, walked to Aldi (15min) and came across a few Asian supermarkets and felt like I might as well get to know the neighborhood and what's where. Aldi had a line outside so that it wouldn't have too many people inside at the same time. I was in within 10minutes though and there was still plenty of everything and I took my time, thinking of what to buy and use my money wisely (which most people know, is one of my skills haha). I did however have to buy a small box of Corona's, it's been the thing I've had almost every day in Oz, so I had to. Unfortunately it didn't fit in the 2nd bag I brought and so I had to carry it with one hand or on my arm or on my shoulder. Since it was a 15minute walk, I changed positions and sides a few times :-). It was a good work out! And so the settling in began.

I joined a Whatsapp group with people stuck in Australia (thanks to a friend), it's almost group therapy haha. Not that we all share sad stories or anything! I didn't want to join at first as I am not a big fan of groupchats but I figured, what the hell, I can always leave. And it has actually been rather nice, I get really good information on what's going on and am able to help others with information that I have. Some of it, I research, giving me something to do....you know, when I'm not busy watching shows or doing Sudoku's or taking naps ;-). Or cooking! I love that I'm able to cook here! Oh yeah, so I'm staying in a hostel but I have a private room...with two windows next to eachother, that can sort of open, a tv, a table and a chair, -a water cooker-, and a private bathroom. Oh and a double bed of course. And I thought about moving to a dorm because it's much cheaper and they spread people out as much as they can only allowing 2-3people max in a dorm. But the other day when I was sitting at my table in front of my window, doing a puzzle and drinking tea (I know, how corny!!), I realized that I can not give up this room. It's the last bit of feeling as if I am 'on holiday'. And so, I will stay in here for as long as I can...hoping it won't last for more than 2 weeks.

And yeah, so after I had 'that moment' the day before, I accepted that I might be here for a while, be it days or weeks, and that my holiday is mostly over. And so I adapted and I'm settling into new routines, I'm mostly in my room though with the occassional trip to the supermarket. I look back on an amazing trip and am so happy that I got to do and see all that I did! All that was left, is Indonesia and I know that I will still do that in the future and all is well.

So, in short;

22nd; booked flight home, had my last night and beer (Corona) with my friends.
23rd; friends left early in the morning, I stayed, having a flight booked and all....at night, I read that flight would be cancelled, idiot.
24th; confirmed by Etihad that flight indeed would be cancelled, registered for Dutch repatriation flights, asked creditcard company to get money back from the flight (still waiting if I can), looked for flights home
25th; tough day, but ended with a good night sleep
26th; accepted that I might be here for a while and adapted.
27th; Google reminded me to leave for the airport to catch my flight...that was cancelled. Keep up Google, idiot.

Cheers,
T

Ps; Last night I couldn't sleep, I took a long nap in the afternoon...I wrote this blog 'Settling in' because I thought I was going to be here for a while..I then checked tickets again but was afraid to book and doubted for hours if I should or shouldn't book for tuesday..but I decided it was to big of a risk...8am, closed my eyes, alright one last look; 1 seat available, when? TODAY!!! Doubt...can I, should I?! Book!! Book!! Boook!!! Two hours later I was on my way to the airport and checked in...I still have no idea what happened and anything can still go wrong...but I'm here, at the airport and we'll see what the next 30 hours will bring...! At least I'm not alone and for the first time, I don't mind being surrounded by other Dutchies!

Ps 2; Sunday 29th of March- I'm home (since 1130am). I unpacked, organized my stuff, went through my mail, went to Aldi, had lunch, took a shower, played records...and I'm bored already haha. Going to the office tomorrow to pick up my laptop and go back to work (from home)! Btw, thanks for the groceries mom! She came to greet me at the station, as a surprise, put the bag on the floor and moved away, social distancing haha great 5 minutes though!