With this job you sometimes come in to situations, where you afterwards think, oef I wish I handled it in a different way. I have seen people, thought they were pregnant, had a big discussion about it with the crew to ask for a second opinion, and yes I have asked a non pregnant woman if she was pregnant. It's so hard to see sometimes if they have wide clothes on. And it is for us very important to know if somebody is pregnant or not, because you never know what might happen once we are in the air.
Especially in bc you need to think more about the things you can say or want to say, there is a big difference in that. Some male passengers cannot define the difference between being nice and being flirty. Most of the times it's not what you say but how you say it, and with a smile you can say a lot and they still would not have a clue if you're serious or not. I have had guys coming up to me and ask for my number, which is then pretty awkward, and what do you do? I used the boyfriend excuse a few times, then they told me oh tell your boyfriend he is a lucky man, then I thought of course I will tell him, once I actually have one haha! It's not good to lie, so sometimes I told them as well that I wasn't interested and that's not a good idea for me to give my contact details.
One time when I flew to Frankfurt, there was a happy couple sitting opposite of me during take off and landing. They told me they went to Mauritius together and had such a good time. Within 3 hours, from landing getting to the hotel and getting on the wifi, the guy has send me a message on Facebook! WHILE HE WAS WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND! How weird is it for this guy to really look at my name badge and look me up on Facebook and even dares to send me a message saying, next time you're in Frankfurt let me know and I can show you around! Well, how about no?!
But some awkward situations are quite funny afterwards. The other day I had a guy on board and I just recognized him, but I just could not place his face. So I went up to talk to him and I told him, I have seen your face before, but I just don't know where. Then he told me he was on a TLC program, so then I said, oh yeah that must be it, which show were you on? Where he responded, the undateables... OEPS! haha, undateables is a program about people who have a special disease or something in a way that it is hard for them to get a date. Only thing I could think of saying was, sooooooo did it work out? Because he did go on a date during that episode, haha. However, I felt a bit awkward, not knowing what to say haha! He was pretty chilled about it, thank god!
This morning I got in a strange situation, I went to Holland for a week for my holidays and last night I flew back. I was still so tired so before we even got a meal I think I slept for about 45/50 minutes. Then I had something to eat, brought my tray back to the galley so I could sleep more. While I was dreaming I felt something warm on my right upper leg, thinking it was just my phone which got warm because it was under my blanket and I was listening to music. But then I realized that my phone was in the seat pocket in front of me so it couldn't be my phone. While I was slowly waking up I looked down and I couldn't see anything on my blanket, then I realized that the guy next to me has put his hand underneath my blanket on my right upper leg!!!! And his leg was all at my side as well. Because I had the H seat, I was next to the aisle and I put up the arm rest so I could sleep against it with my pillow. My first reaction was OMG just happend?! I just pushed his hand away and hit his leg so that it went back to his side. How sick people can be. I went straight to the seniors on board, changed my seat, because obviously I didn't want to sit next to him anymore. So while I grabbed my stuff the purser went to talk to him in the galley in the front. Later then came to me to tell me what he said. He denied it, obviously, but they told me that while they were talking to him he was shaking so he knew exactly what was happening and they he would be on the radar now.
Definitely not a nice way to end my holiday... But everything is fine with, just scared me!
So I learned today first of all, not to sit next to a guy, unless he's good looking, wrap my blanket around me like a tortilla so that no hand can get onto my body, and make photos if something like this happens again! Haha just kidding. Stuff like this happens... Just never thought it would happen to me. Anyway, it is a good story in the end...
woensdag 10 augustus 2016
Awkward Situations...
With this job you sometimes come in to situations, where you afterwards think, oef I wish I handled it in a different way. I have seen people, thought they were pregnant, had a big discussion about it with the crew to ask for a second opinion, and yes I have asked a non pregnant woman if she was pregnant. It's so hard to see sometimes if they have wide clothes on. And it is for us very important to know if somebody is pregnant or not, because you never know what might happen once we are in the air.
Especially in bc you need to think more about the things you can say or want to say, there is a big difference in that. Some male passengers cannot define the difference between being nice and being flirty. Most of the times it's not what you say but how you say it, and with a smile you can say a lot and they still would not have a clue if you're serious or not. I have had guys coming up to me and ask for my number, which is then pretty awkward, and what do you do? I used the boyfriend excuse a few times, then they told me oh tell your boyfriend he is a lucky man, then I thought of course I will tell him, once I actually have one haha! It's not good to lie, so sometimes I told them as well that I wasn't interested and that's not a good idea for me to give my contact details.
One time when I flew to Frankfurt, there was a happy couple sitting opposite of me during take off and landing. They told me they went to Mauritius together and had such a good time. Within 3 hours, from landing getting to the hotel and getting on the wifi, the guy has send me a message on Facebook! WHILE HE WAS WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND! How weird is it for this guy to really look at my name badge and look me up on Facebook and even dares to send me a message saying, next time you're in Frankfurt let me know and I can show you around! Well, how about no?!
But some awkward situations are quite funny afterwards. The other day I had a guy on board and I just recognized him, but I just could not place his face. So I went up to talk to him and I told him, I have seen your face before, but I just don't know where. Then he told me he was on a TLC program, so then I said, oh yeah that must be it, which show were you on? Where he responded, the undateables... OEPS! haha, undateables is a program about people who have a special disease or something in a way that it is hard for them to get a date. Only thing I could think of saying was, sooooooo did it work out? Because he did go on a date during that episode, haha. However, I felt a bit awkward, not knowing what to say haha! He was pretty chilled about it, thank god!
This morning I got in a strange situation, I went to Holland for a week for my holidays and last night I flew back. I was still so tired so before we even got a meal I think I slept for about 45/50 minutes. Then I had something to eat, brought my tray back to the galley so I could sleep more. While I was dreaming I felt something warm on my right upper leg, thinking it was just my phone which got warm because it was under my blanket and I was listening to music. But then I realized that my phone was in the seat pocket in front of me so it couldn't be my phone. While I was slowly waking up I looked down and I couldn't see anything on my blanket, then I realized that the guy next to me has put his hand underneath my blanket on my right upper leg!!!! And his leg was all at my side as well. Because I had the H seat, I was next to the aisle and I put up the arm rest so I could sleep against it with my pillow. My first reaction was OMG just happend?! I just pushed his hand away and hit his leg so that it went back to his side. How sick people can be. I went straight to the seniors on board, changed my seat, because obviously I didn't want to sit next to him anymore. So while I grabbed my stuff the purser went to talk to him in the galley in the front. Later then came to me to tell me what he said. He denied it, obviously, but they told me that while they were talking to him he was shaking so he knew exactly what was happening and they he would be on the radar now.
Definitely not a nice way to end my holiday... But everything is fine with, just scared me! If his hand would have been anywhere else I would have pressed charges.
So I learned today first of all, not to sit next to a guy, unless he's good looking, wrap my blanket around me like a tortilla so that no hand can get onto my body, and make photos if something like this happens again! Haha just kidding. Stuff like this happens... Just never thought it would happen to me. Anyway, it was a good story for this blog!
Especially in bc you need to think more about the things you can say or want to say, there is a big difference in that. Some male passengers cannot define the difference between being nice and being flirty. Most of the times it's not what you say but how you say it, and with a smile you can say a lot and they still would not have a clue if you're serious or not. I have had guys coming up to me and ask for my number, which is then pretty awkward, and what do you do? I used the boyfriend excuse a few times, then they told me oh tell your boyfriend he is a lucky man, then I thought of course I will tell him, once I actually have one haha! It's not good to lie, so sometimes I told them as well that I wasn't interested and that's not a good idea for me to give my contact details.
One time when I flew to Frankfurt, there was a happy couple sitting opposite of me during take off and landing. They told me they went to Mauritius together and had such a good time. Within 3 hours, from landing getting to the hotel and getting on the wifi, the guy has send me a message on Facebook! WHILE HE WAS WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND! How weird is it for this guy to really look at my name badge and look me up on Facebook and even dares to send me a message saying, next time you're in Frankfurt let me know and I can show you around! Well, how about no?!
But some awkward situations are quite funny afterwards. The other day I had a guy on board and I just recognized him, but I just could not place his face. So I went up to talk to him and I told him, I have seen your face before, but I just don't know where. Then he told me he was on a TLC program, so then I said, oh yeah that must be it, which show were you on? Where he responded, the undateables... OEPS! haha, undateables is a program about people who have a special disease or something in a way that it is hard for them to get a date. Only thing I could think of saying was, sooooooo did it work out? Because he did go on a date during that episode, haha. However, I felt a bit awkward, not knowing what to say haha! He was pretty chilled about it, thank god!
This morning I got in a strange situation, I went to Holland for a week for my holidays and last night I flew back. I was still so tired so before we even got a meal I think I slept for about 45/50 minutes. Then I had something to eat, brought my tray back to the galley so I could sleep more. While I was dreaming I felt something warm on my right upper leg, thinking it was just my phone which got warm because it was under my blanket and I was listening to music. But then I realized that my phone was in the seat pocket in front of me so it couldn't be my phone. While I was slowly waking up I looked down and I couldn't see anything on my blanket, then I realized that the guy next to me has put his hand underneath my blanket on my right upper leg!!!! And his leg was all at my side as well. Because I had the H seat, I was next to the aisle and I put up the arm rest so I could sleep against it with my pillow. My first reaction was OMG just happend?! I just pushed his hand away and hit his leg so that it went back to his side. How sick people can be. I went straight to the seniors on board, changed my seat, because obviously I didn't want to sit next to him anymore. So while I grabbed my stuff the purser went to talk to him in the galley in the front. Later then came to me to tell me what he said. He denied it, obviously, but they told me that while they were talking to him he was shaking so he knew exactly what was happening and they he would be on the radar now.
Definitely not a nice way to end my holiday... But everything is fine with, just scared me! If his hand would have been anywhere else I would have pressed charges.
So I learned today first of all, not to sit next to a guy, unless he's good looking, wrap my blanket around me like a tortilla so that no hand can get onto my body, and make photos if something like this happens again! Haha just kidding. Stuff like this happens... Just never thought it would happen to me. Anyway, it was a good story for this blog!
woensdag 13 juli 2016
Officially Business Class Crew now
My second month of flying business class, and what a difference its been. It's so much better, I also feel cleaner, since you deal with less food obviously, and nobody putting their food on the ground, finally!!!!! On the 380 the maximum capacity of passenger you can have is 14, instead of 427 in economy, where on the B777 if it is full you can have a maximum of 21 passengers. Still better then economy. This is because on the 380 you have more crew and are the areas divided between 6 crew, therefore you only deal with your passengers in your area. If you work on the left, you do not deal with the passengers on the right. This way you build up something with them because they will see your face only.
The passengers itself are different as well, you are more one on one with them so you can actually get to know them, and so many have amazing life stories. Especially when you do the lounge, the bar on the A380, people come there to have a talk, and since I can talk to a tree, this is no problem for me.
I have met an elderly couple, where the husband moved to Australia in 1951 with his 8 brothers and sisters, and from the 9 children, 8 of them became billionaires. He loved to talk about it, originally dutch but now with a very Australian accent. Him and his wife were traveling back to Holland for their annually trip with the brothers and sisters and all of their children, I think he told me they are with 120 people all together. How amazing, if you're that age and you can afford for the whole family to fly business class and do a small euro trip.
There was a local guy from Dubai who climbed the 7 highest mountains in the world. He just came back from Alaska to climb a mountain there, and now he was flying back from Toronto to Dubai to go back to work. Can you imagine, climbing the 7 highest mountains in the world, that's so cool !
On my previous flight I was talking to a heart surgeon, who was born in New York and originally from India, and now living in Singapore. He gave me a little lesson about the heart, which was very interesting and then I asked him about the bars in New York where only the local New Yorkers go to, he made an email for his cousins, asking them about the best bars in New York and put me in the CC.
It's just so interesting that there are so many different stories from all these people, and these are just three examples of all the interesting people I have met so far in Business Class. I can honestly say that I feel more comfortable working in business class, I can joke around and they would understand them as well! Where some times in economy they would look at me as if I was speaking Chinese.
Obviously every cabin have there nice passengers, but their also less nice passengers. From spoiled arabic ladies who have their servants flying in economy and they treat you like one as well. Then it is hard to not say anything and remain calm, because you want to say so many things, but you just can't because it is business class.
The food is so good as well, having a nice meal from shrimps to lamb and beef, or a nice salad or soup, you can choose. Good thing I am not a big dessert person, so I am not attracted to those at all. I know it sounds very sarcastic, but it's actually true, not a chocolate and dessert person. But if you have a bag of paprika chips, those are mine and mine only....
The passengers itself are different as well, you are more one on one with them so you can actually get to know them, and so many have amazing life stories. Especially when you do the lounge, the bar on the A380, people come there to have a talk, and since I can talk to a tree, this is no problem for me.
I have met an elderly couple, where the husband moved to Australia in 1951 with his 8 brothers and sisters, and from the 9 children, 8 of them became billionaires. He loved to talk about it, originally dutch but now with a very Australian accent. Him and his wife were traveling back to Holland for their annually trip with the brothers and sisters and all of their children, I think he told me they are with 120 people all together. How amazing, if you're that age and you can afford for the whole family to fly business class and do a small euro trip.
There was a local guy from Dubai who climbed the 7 highest mountains in the world. He just came back from Alaska to climb a mountain there, and now he was flying back from Toronto to Dubai to go back to work. Can you imagine, climbing the 7 highest mountains in the world, that's so cool !
On my previous flight I was talking to a heart surgeon, who was born in New York and originally from India, and now living in Singapore. He gave me a little lesson about the heart, which was very interesting and then I asked him about the bars in New York where only the local New Yorkers go to, he made an email for his cousins, asking them about the best bars in New York and put me in the CC.
It's just so interesting that there are so many different stories from all these people, and these are just three examples of all the interesting people I have met so far in Business Class. I can honestly say that I feel more comfortable working in business class, I can joke around and they would understand them as well! Where some times in economy they would look at me as if I was speaking Chinese.
Obviously every cabin have there nice passengers, but their also less nice passengers. From spoiled arabic ladies who have their servants flying in economy and they treat you like one as well. Then it is hard to not say anything and remain calm, because you want to say so many things, but you just can't because it is business class.
The food is so good as well, having a nice meal from shrimps to lamb and beef, or a nice salad or soup, you can choose. Good thing I am not a big dessert person, so I am not attracted to those at all. I know it sounds very sarcastic, but it's actually true, not a chocolate and dessert person. But if you have a bag of paprika chips, those are mine and mine only....
woensdag 29 juni 2016
Birthday month.....
Yeeeeeey it was finally June, my birthday month! A month of some good destinations, some Amsterdams and a little holiday with my birthday twin, Maki. We met on a Madrid flight when we found out that we have the exact same birthday and even the same year, then we made a deal, we are going to celebrate our birthdays together at a cool place. Last year we went to Malta, which was amazing. This year we first wanted to go to the Maldives, just relax and chill. But as you might expect, the Maldives it pretty expensive. Then we decided to go to Barcelona, we both love Spain, the food and as well all the sangria we can get there. Last minute we got more days off, then we took a spontaneous trip to Mallorca. I landed from Amsterdam on the 16th in the morning, packed my bag, had a few hours sleep and then on my way to the airport, where Maki landed around 1pm and our flight was at 3.45pm, so she was rushing and pretty tired. We both ate on the plane, had a little baileys before we slept around 3 hours. Once we got to Barcelona and our hotel we were both really tired, but it's our night so we got ready and went to the W hotel, close to the sea. I asked the dj if he could play a birthday song, but he couldn't,,, boringgggg! My dutch friend Florien knows almost everybody in Barcelona so she gave me a number of one of her friends who always throws a good party. so around 1.30am we went to Shoko, a big club at the beach side of Barcelona. The queue was MASSIVE, I swear, there were around 75 people waiting to get in, so I called this friend, and he comes up and grabs my hand and just pulls me inside together, obviously, with Maki, so no queue on our birthday! That club was amazing, we were next to the dj just dancing the night away. At one point we were so tired so we left and went back to the hotel. The next day we just went to the beach and chilled and eat more ham then we already did, and we made a promise to eat ham every single day, so we did. That night we went to bed early because our flight was in the early morning with Vueling (as I can honestly say to you it's been a while since I have been with a low cost airline, so I got prepared). As always I take my pillow with me and also my eyeshades for a 30 minute flight, haha, some people looked a bit strange at me, but they were probably just jealous of all my preparation, haha.
We got to Mallorca really early, we could check in already at the hotel so that was really nice. We changed and then went to look for a nice beach where we could take a nap. The beach was absolutely stunning, water was clear and blue, it was a bit crowded but the beach wasn't that big either so then it looks busier. It was a Saturday night and we decided to have one more night out and then we would just chill and sleep. We went to Pacha, a big club they also have in Barcelona, Ibiza and Dubai. The music wasn't really what we were looking for so we just called it a night around 2am. The music was better in the taxi ride home then in the club itself. The next days we just went to a different beach every day, read my book, listened to music, taking naps on the beach, going for a swim and having nice lunches. It was so nice and relaxt. Just two girls having a chilled holiday and all we did was talk, eat ham and mini salami's. The last day we went back to Barca to spend one more day there before we were heading back to the desert that night. But from all the naps we took on the beach, at one point we got so tired in Barcelona that we went to the Arc de Triomph park to take our daily nap. That night we flew back to Dubai, both with a really good tan.
My next flight was Amsterdam, already looking forward for this flight for the past 4 weeks, because I planned a post birthday party, were I would see so many friends of mine who I haven't seen for ages. I couldn't sleep the night before the flight because I was so nervous that I would miss my alarm, and then I started thinking, what if the flight is delayed, and so many other things that could go wrong. The flight itself was nice, busy but nice. Flights have been better since I moved to business class. Once I got to the hotel I slept for an hour, then got ready to go for dinner with my parents, brother and his girlfriend, before the party started! Everything went so well, I want to thank everybody who took the time to come and see me that night, friends are forever. I had to call sick for the return flight back to Dubai, food poisoning. Once you start throwing up in combination with diarrhea you are not allowed to fly for the next 48 hours. I had to stay another 2 days in Amsterdam. I flew back to Dubai on Monday night in Business Class because I was not operating. I got back to Dubai yesterday morning. All feeling well and better. My next flight is on Monday to Paris for 2 days!!
Today is a special day as well, not a good day. The 29th of June is the day I had my car accident, and today it's been 6 years. So much can happen in 6 years. I'am not gonna think about the negatives too much, just another eye opener moment that you have to enjoy life to the fullest.
We got to Mallorca really early, we could check in already at the hotel so that was really nice. We changed and then went to look for a nice beach where we could take a nap. The beach was absolutely stunning, water was clear and blue, it was a bit crowded but the beach wasn't that big either so then it looks busier. It was a Saturday night and we decided to have one more night out and then we would just chill and sleep. We went to Pacha, a big club they also have in Barcelona, Ibiza and Dubai. The music wasn't really what we were looking for so we just called it a night around 2am. The music was better in the taxi ride home then in the club itself. The next days we just went to a different beach every day, read my book, listened to music, taking naps on the beach, going for a swim and having nice lunches. It was so nice and relaxt. Just two girls having a chilled holiday and all we did was talk, eat ham and mini salami's. The last day we went back to Barca to spend one more day there before we were heading back to the desert that night. But from all the naps we took on the beach, at one point we got so tired in Barcelona that we went to the Arc de Triomph park to take our daily nap. That night we flew back to Dubai, both with a really good tan.
My next flight was Amsterdam, already looking forward for this flight for the past 4 weeks, because I planned a post birthday party, were I would see so many friends of mine who I haven't seen for ages. I couldn't sleep the night before the flight because I was so nervous that I would miss my alarm, and then I started thinking, what if the flight is delayed, and so many other things that could go wrong. The flight itself was nice, busy but nice. Flights have been better since I moved to business class. Once I got to the hotel I slept for an hour, then got ready to go for dinner with my parents, brother and his girlfriend, before the party started! Everything went so well, I want to thank everybody who took the time to come and see me that night, friends are forever. I had to call sick for the return flight back to Dubai, food poisoning. Once you start throwing up in combination with diarrhea you are not allowed to fly for the next 48 hours. I had to stay another 2 days in Amsterdam. I flew back to Dubai on Monday night in Business Class because I was not operating. I got back to Dubai yesterday morning. All feeling well and better. My next flight is on Monday to Paris for 2 days!!
Today is a special day as well, not a good day. The 29th of June is the day I had my car accident, and today it's been 6 years. So much can happen in 6 years. I'am not gonna think about the negatives too much, just another eye opener moment that you have to enjoy life to the fullest.
maandag 30 mei 2016
Los Angeles
When I got my roster in April for the month of May I was pretty excited, they gave me a LAX flight, which means LOS ANGELES! The city of the movies, hollywood, the kardashians, the hills and many more shows and movies that happend in LA. Even though I was definitely not looking forward to such a long flight, which was 15.30 hours on the way going, okay we did get a 3.30 break (still not enough)! Can you imagine being on a plane for more then 15 hours, I couldn't. The flight was on friday the 13th, and I can tell you, it was the longest friday the 13th I ever had in my life, literally. Because we went back in time, my day was about 36 hours, before the clock hit the 14th in LA. The flight was not full as well, probably as well because it was friday the 13th. We had good crew, and by good crew I mean crew who actually have something to say for 15 hours. I was together with a South African and Australian girl and sometimes you just click with somebody, and these two were hilarious. We flew over the north pole, which is pretty cool, but the pilots didn't tell me so I didn't see ANYTHING, all they have to do in 15 hours, is letting us know if they see something nice, and they even forgot about that.
Once we finally got to LA, the bus ride back to the hotel took ages, since traffic in LA is also ridiculous. That night I went for dinner with two of the crew because they had some friends who knew where to go. So after the flight I didn't sleep at all, just took a shower and got ready again to go for some food and drinks. We had such a good night in the area of the hotel, called Costa Mesa. By the time we got back to the hotel it was already 2am. And I was supposed to meet 2 other crew the next morning to get a car and go to Venice Beach and drive around LA. Sorry I just love the word LA, still sounds so amazing when I think about it. Anyway, just a few hours sleep and I was already on my way to Venice beach, we got there around 10am. It wasn't that hot yet or busy, which was good so we could easily walk around. Then I saw you could rent roller blades for an hour, since the others didn't know how to, I just got them myself. From the moment I heard I was going to LA I wanted to get roller blades and go around the beach, once of those things you see in the movies and you just want to do it. And it was just absolutely AMAZING!!! It felt so unreal crossing around Venice beach. I will post a video later, there are all sorts of people along the beach, from artists, a live band, somebody playing the piano, somebody else doing paintings, just literally everything. Then we saw that a group was about to perform, one of those men groups who do all these acrobatic dances, but pretty dangerous as well. Just felt like I was in a movie.
The night before I found out that I actually also have friends in LA, two American girls whom I met in Salamanca when I lived there 5 years ago. They found out on Facebook that I was in town, so I was planning to meet one of them on the Saturday night (2nd night in LA, since we stay for 50 hours, instead of 24 on shorter flights). After Venice Beach I really wanted to see Rodeo Drive (also because every time I see it on the tv, I just had to see it with my own eyes). Then my friends who got the car dropped me off at my friends place, who lives in such a lovely typically American house, with her husband and adorable little puppy dog. Her and her husband then brought me to the hollywood sign, which was on the way to where we went for some food. And again, sorry to say, it just feels like you're in a movie for 2 days, and it felt wonderful. Then we went to the arts district close to the city centre for some food and some games at a barcade, a bar where they have these old school games we used to play, those flipper machines. But by that time I probably slept for around 5 hours in the past 50 hours, so I could not wait to go bed and just take a shower and sleep. Which I then did for around 13.30 hours !! Must have needed it. The flight back to Dubai was in one word hectic. So many people and so many bags, but we managed, as we always do. It was an amazing trip which I will never forget, and definitely can't wait to go back and see even more.
Right now I'am in Dubai doing my Business Class Upgrade training. Just 3 more days of pouring wine, serving cheese and be super professional :P..... After that it is time for the real thing, where I start off to Delhi, then a 2 day layover in Toronto, then Amsterdam where I will see my lovely family, and then most important day of the year, my birthday on the 17th of June ! Which is right in the middle of ramadan, so my friend with the same birthday and year, we are trying to maybe go somewhere for 2 days to celebrate our birthday somewhere amazing! It's not every year you turn 24! It's a sign, because on the 24th of June, I have another Amsterdam, where I will be throwing a little birthday party in Amsterdam, so if you read this, and you're in Amsterdam, you're happy to join me and my friends !!
Can't wait for you June ! Bring it on ! <3
Once we finally got to LA, the bus ride back to the hotel took ages, since traffic in LA is also ridiculous. That night I went for dinner with two of the crew because they had some friends who knew where to go. So after the flight I didn't sleep at all, just took a shower and got ready again to go for some food and drinks. We had such a good night in the area of the hotel, called Costa Mesa. By the time we got back to the hotel it was already 2am. And I was supposed to meet 2 other crew the next morning to get a car and go to Venice Beach and drive around LA. Sorry I just love the word LA, still sounds so amazing when I think about it. Anyway, just a few hours sleep and I was already on my way to Venice beach, we got there around 10am. It wasn't that hot yet or busy, which was good so we could easily walk around. Then I saw you could rent roller blades for an hour, since the others didn't know how to, I just got them myself. From the moment I heard I was going to LA I wanted to get roller blades and go around the beach, once of those things you see in the movies and you just want to do it. And it was just absolutely AMAZING!!! It felt so unreal crossing around Venice beach. I will post a video later, there are all sorts of people along the beach, from artists, a live band, somebody playing the piano, somebody else doing paintings, just literally everything. Then we saw that a group was about to perform, one of those men groups who do all these acrobatic dances, but pretty dangerous as well. Just felt like I was in a movie.
The night before I found out that I actually also have friends in LA, two American girls whom I met in Salamanca when I lived there 5 years ago. They found out on Facebook that I was in town, so I was planning to meet one of them on the Saturday night (2nd night in LA, since we stay for 50 hours, instead of 24 on shorter flights). After Venice Beach I really wanted to see Rodeo Drive (also because every time I see it on the tv, I just had to see it with my own eyes). Then my friends who got the car dropped me off at my friends place, who lives in such a lovely typically American house, with her husband and adorable little puppy dog. Her and her husband then brought me to the hollywood sign, which was on the way to where we went for some food. And again, sorry to say, it just feels like you're in a movie for 2 days, and it felt wonderful. Then we went to the arts district close to the city centre for some food and some games at a barcade, a bar where they have these old school games we used to play, those flipper machines. But by that time I probably slept for around 5 hours in the past 50 hours, so I could not wait to go bed and just take a shower and sleep. Which I then did for around 13.30 hours !! Must have needed it. The flight back to Dubai was in one word hectic. So many people and so many bags, but we managed, as we always do. It was an amazing trip which I will never forget, and definitely can't wait to go back and see even more.
Right now I'am in Dubai doing my Business Class Upgrade training. Just 3 more days of pouring wine, serving cheese and be super professional :P..... After that it is time for the real thing, where I start off to Delhi, then a 2 day layover in Toronto, then Amsterdam where I will see my lovely family, and then most important day of the year, my birthday on the 17th of June ! Which is right in the middle of ramadan, so my friend with the same birthday and year, we are trying to maybe go somewhere for 2 days to celebrate our birthday somewhere amazing! It's not every year you turn 24! It's a sign, because on the 24th of June, I have another Amsterdam, where I will be throwing a little birthday party in Amsterdam, so if you read this, and you're in Amsterdam, you're happy to join me and my friends !!
Can't wait for you June ! Bring it on ! <3
maandag 11 april 2016
Beautiful Bali
Time for another throwback to such a magical destination, Bali. Bali is well known with many people, for it's partying, surfing, Ketut Liyer (the guy from Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts, who reads her hand), and many more things this beautiful island has to offer.
I first had a Melbourne Auckland trip before I went on my own Bali adventure for 7/8 days. The flight from Melbourne was about 14 hours before I got back to Dubai, then I had around 3 hours to get to the airport. Since, there are many delays I already packed my bags in my suitcase with me. All I needed was a backpack and a handbag, some people might be surprised by my light packing, but it's possible I can tell you that. So after my 14 hour flight I went to take another 9 hour flight to Bali, as you can imagine I was feeling pretty tired once I got to Bali. But once I got to Bali it was all worth it. The first 3 nights I stayed in a beautiful resort in the area called Ubud, it was absolutely stunning, and every morning I could do yoga, which I did of course ! I also gave myself a really nice massage and a hot bath along the river, never been to a more peaceful place (or expensive). The first 2 days I could not be bothered of doing anything else then yoga, reading a book and tanning by the pool, so I did, because the only person I had to think about was myself. At night I walked to the centre of Ubud to watch the little souvenir markets and some temples. Couldn't buy anything really, because I only carried hand luggage, I know very clever of myself if I may say so. Good way to NOT go shopping. The last day in Ubud I did a morning walk before I got picked up by a private driver called Made, he would show me around. First we went to see the rice plantages, a water temple where I did some sort of ritual in freezing cold water where I had to put my head underneath the water, basically just did wat everybody else did before me, knowing I don't speak or read any Indonesian language.
Then the best of all, Ketut Liyer. The old Ketut is about 104 years old and probably only 1 tooth left, so I went to his son, also called Ketut. I was a bit nervous as well, because you don't know what he is about to tell you, could be anything!! I am a believer of those things, in comparison to some others. Before he took my hand he told me that my eyebrows and eyes are in balance, which is a good sign, since this brings you positivity towards other people as well, saying I am very positive in live. Then he told me that I had a good body, he did not have to read my hand to see that haha. Further he told me that I will live a long life, social person, that my friends come to me for advice, and that I will get married one day. He literally told me that, if I keep myself healthy by going to the gym and eat healthy I will find, and I quote, a handsome husband. CAN I GET A WHOOP WHOOP! haha just kidding, but I was pleased to hear this of course. Oh and I get 2 children, so we will see in the future if he was right or not. Anyway I was happy I went, so interesting these things.
That day it was a Sunday, and my friend Jessica told me, you have to go to Single Fin on a Sunday, it's a big party there! So of course I went, so many Australians, and most of them were there to surf, super cool. The place itself was insanely beautiful, it was build on a cliff and I saw one of the most amazing sunsets. I met so many nice people that night, got to my hotel in Seminyak around 2am. The part I thought I lost my creditcard the next day is another story, a story for another blog. I stayed in Seminyak for around 3 nights and 4 days, because I booked myself some surf lessons. I know how to snowboard so I was hoping it would be kinda the same, and it was. I could stand up from the first time, and I loved it! It's such a nice feeling going over the waves, the part you have to paddle back is less nice, but worth the 10 seconds on the board ! I ended up doing 2 classes on 2 days, I couldn't do anything on the third day because I could not lift my arms because of all the paddling, I'am not the strongest either, so I just chilled on the beach, which was amazing and relaxing as well.
When I was in Ubud I found out that friends of me and my family were also on Bali, a dutch family which I hadn't seen for around 5/6 years I guess. I went to meet them one night to go for dinner and drinks. So funny, on the other side of the world and you meet friends from back home! Such a small world we live in. It was so nice to see them and catch up. My holiday was so nice and relaxed, just what I needed. The way back to Dubai went quick because I slept most of the flight. It was so peaceful in Bali that I was a very 'zen' person when I got back. Bali is definitely worth going to, such a nice destination, beautiful landscapes, friendly people, not expensive at all, and there is so much to do ! Go BALI !
Flying is pretty demanding for your body so sometimes you just need to listen to it, need to know when to stop going and take a break from everything, thats what I needed and did. I listened to my body. Charging the battery. Sometimes I just keep going, I learnt to listen more to my body then before, otherwise it will tell you itself.
I first had a Melbourne Auckland trip before I went on my own Bali adventure for 7/8 days. The flight from Melbourne was about 14 hours before I got back to Dubai, then I had around 3 hours to get to the airport. Since, there are many delays I already packed my bags in my suitcase with me. All I needed was a backpack and a handbag, some people might be surprised by my light packing, but it's possible I can tell you that. So after my 14 hour flight I went to take another 9 hour flight to Bali, as you can imagine I was feeling pretty tired once I got to Bali. But once I got to Bali it was all worth it. The first 3 nights I stayed in a beautiful resort in the area called Ubud, it was absolutely stunning, and every morning I could do yoga, which I did of course ! I also gave myself a really nice massage and a hot bath along the river, never been to a more peaceful place (or expensive). The first 2 days I could not be bothered of doing anything else then yoga, reading a book and tanning by the pool, so I did, because the only person I had to think about was myself. At night I walked to the centre of Ubud to watch the little souvenir markets and some temples. Couldn't buy anything really, because I only carried hand luggage, I know very clever of myself if I may say so. Good way to NOT go shopping. The last day in Ubud I did a morning walk before I got picked up by a private driver called Made, he would show me around. First we went to see the rice plantages, a water temple where I did some sort of ritual in freezing cold water where I had to put my head underneath the water, basically just did wat everybody else did before me, knowing I don't speak or read any Indonesian language.
Then the best of all, Ketut Liyer. The old Ketut is about 104 years old and probably only 1 tooth left, so I went to his son, also called Ketut. I was a bit nervous as well, because you don't know what he is about to tell you, could be anything!! I am a believer of those things, in comparison to some others. Before he took my hand he told me that my eyebrows and eyes are in balance, which is a good sign, since this brings you positivity towards other people as well, saying I am very positive in live. Then he told me that I had a good body, he did not have to read my hand to see that haha. Further he told me that I will live a long life, social person, that my friends come to me for advice, and that I will get married one day. He literally told me that, if I keep myself healthy by going to the gym and eat healthy I will find, and I quote, a handsome husband. CAN I GET A WHOOP WHOOP! haha just kidding, but I was pleased to hear this of course. Oh and I get 2 children, so we will see in the future if he was right or not. Anyway I was happy I went, so interesting these things.
That day it was a Sunday, and my friend Jessica told me, you have to go to Single Fin on a Sunday, it's a big party there! So of course I went, so many Australians, and most of them were there to surf, super cool. The place itself was insanely beautiful, it was build on a cliff and I saw one of the most amazing sunsets. I met so many nice people that night, got to my hotel in Seminyak around 2am. The part I thought I lost my creditcard the next day is another story, a story for another blog. I stayed in Seminyak for around 3 nights and 4 days, because I booked myself some surf lessons. I know how to snowboard so I was hoping it would be kinda the same, and it was. I could stand up from the first time, and I loved it! It's such a nice feeling going over the waves, the part you have to paddle back is less nice, but worth the 10 seconds on the board ! I ended up doing 2 classes on 2 days, I couldn't do anything on the third day because I could not lift my arms because of all the paddling, I'am not the strongest either, so I just chilled on the beach, which was amazing and relaxing as well.
When I was in Ubud I found out that friends of me and my family were also on Bali, a dutch family which I hadn't seen for around 5/6 years I guess. I went to meet them one night to go for dinner and drinks. So funny, on the other side of the world and you meet friends from back home! Such a small world we live in. It was so nice to see them and catch up. My holiday was so nice and relaxed, just what I needed. The way back to Dubai went quick because I slept most of the flight. It was so peaceful in Bali that I was a very 'zen' person when I got back. Bali is definitely worth going to, such a nice destination, beautiful landscapes, friendly people, not expensive at all, and there is so much to do ! Go BALI !
Flying is pretty demanding for your body so sometimes you just need to listen to it, need to know when to stop going and take a break from everything, thats what I needed and did. I listened to my body. Charging the battery. Sometimes I just keep going, I learnt to listen more to my body then before, otherwise it will tell you itself.
maandag 4 april 2016
Crazy March...
Where to begin with my march month. I was still on reserve (which means you don't have any flights until you are on standby and somebody else calls sick for a flight, then you have to take their position). It was just a few more flights till we were going on holiday to AUSTRIAAAA! But just before that I had 2 pretty though flights, Cairo and Dhaka. I was ready to go away for a week, laugh all day and be with friends and don't think about anything else. Well we managed to do that. We left dubai with 4, Alex, Wouter, Courtney and I. All from Dubai. I met wouter around a year ago on my Johannesburg flight and since then we stayed in touch and are friends ever since. Alex and Courtney I know through Wouter, he lives in the same building as them. We then flew to Munich first where we met Kay, Courtney best friend from the UK. From Munich we hired a car to drive down to Flachau in Austria. The first challenge we had was the car and all the suitcases, it was like playing tetris in real life. With 5 people and 5 suitcases (mine was the smallest and only hand luggage, pretty proud of myself here, haha), but in the end we manages, even though Wouter and Alex both had a suitcase on their lapes and Wouter even had one between his legs. It took us only 2.5 hours to drive to Flachau, with a little Macdonalds stop. Once we got to Flachau, we went to rent the gear right away so we could start early the next day!! I heard great stories from my dad and brothers who went to Flachau before me, that there was a bar called 'Hofstadl', where instead of taking the stairs down you can go down with the slide ! That convinced all us of us, we went there 4 nights in a row and had the best time! There were so many dutch people as well, so it was really easy for me just to speak dutch all the time. The second day we got up and then the 4 of them booked a private lesson with a ski instructor, to get back to the basics. I went snowboarding by myself for a few hours, it was just the best feeling in the world, going over the slopes snowboarding, breathing in the fresh air. The next three days we had the most beautiful wintersport weather you can imagine, bright blue sky! Snowboarding every day, straight from the slopes to the bar for a drink and a dance. It was just amazing, we had so much fun ! Took the slide down every time of course ! But then the drama happend, HOW to get back to Dubai ? Flights from Munich were all full and even overbooked, every single day. So we had to come up with a plan B, or even a plan C. We drove to Munich in the early morning, and Kay took the flight back to Manchester, then we took the last seats, and two jumpseats with Lufthansa down to Rome, to fly with Emirates from Rome back to Dubai. Best part was that Alex and I could sit in the cockpit from Munich to Rome, which was amazing to fly over the mountains down to Italy.
Once back to Dubai I had an Amsterdam flight, where I had a lovely dinner with my family, chilled on the couch with the cat, saw my gran in the morning and then it was already time to head back to the sandpit to clean my room before my best friend would come over for 5/6 days!!! Nikie, my friend as long as I can remember came over in Dubai. And how much fun we had. We went to the beach, we had a boat party, went out, went to the Dubai World Cup (will talk about this in a minute), did a desert safari, went to the waterpark and we even managed to go for dinner and drinks. I even had the pleasure to fly her back to Amsterdam. The best day, in my eyes, was the Dubai World Cup. It is the only horse races in the world where they can win the most price money, in a country where gambling is not allowed, which is crazy! So every year, it is the last race of the season. Everybody is dressed up, wears a fascinator, heels, everything! The girls first came over to my apartment to have a cheeky wine and have some food. So there we were, all dressed up, and you know what we ate, 4 massive pizzas haha! The day was just perfect, the weather was nice, and we had an amazing group, super dutch! To make a long story short, we drank too much champagne, ended up at an afterparty in the Burj Khalifa and had about 200 photos if not more, such a nice day. We will be talking about it for a long time!!! The next day Nikie and I did the desert safari, going with a car through the sand dunes, have dinner in the desert and watch a belly dancer, I counted it was my 5th time, but it's different every time ! That night we were so tired so we went to bed early, cause the next day we went to the waterpark, Wild Wadi, which was good fun, and later my friend Koen came with his nephew. That night we went for dinner with Sarah and the other girls, it was one of Sarah's last nights in Dubai. Can't believe she's out of Dubai now, still feels she can walk through that door any time!
Once back to Dubai I had an Amsterdam flight, where I had a lovely dinner with my family, chilled on the couch with the cat, saw my gran in the morning and then it was already time to head back to the sandpit to clean my room before my best friend would come over for 5/6 days!!! Nikie, my friend as long as I can remember came over in Dubai. And how much fun we had. We went to the beach, we had a boat party, went out, went to the Dubai World Cup (will talk about this in a minute), did a desert safari, went to the waterpark and we even managed to go for dinner and drinks. I even had the pleasure to fly her back to Amsterdam. The best day, in my eyes, was the Dubai World Cup. It is the only horse races in the world where they can win the most price money, in a country where gambling is not allowed, which is crazy! So every year, it is the last race of the season. Everybody is dressed up, wears a fascinator, heels, everything! The girls first came over to my apartment to have a cheeky wine and have some food. So there we were, all dressed up, and you know what we ate, 4 massive pizzas haha! The day was just perfect, the weather was nice, and we had an amazing group, super dutch! To make a long story short, we drank too much champagne, ended up at an afterparty in the Burj Khalifa and had about 200 photos if not more, such a nice day. We will be talking about it for a long time!!! The next day Nikie and I did the desert safari, going with a car through the sand dunes, have dinner in the desert and watch a belly dancer, I counted it was my 5th time, but it's different every time ! That night we were so tired so we went to bed early, cause the next day we went to the waterpark, Wild Wadi, which was good fun, and later my friend Koen came with his nephew. That night we went for dinner with Sarah and the other girls, it was one of Sarah's last nights in Dubai. Can't believe she's out of Dubai now, still feels she can walk through that door any time!
Drinking champagne, because we are such ladies !
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