Thankful I am for…

… getting the silver status (mileage card) which allowed me to enter with the business class people and for my bags to be tagged “priority.” Checking in and getting bags are now a breeze! As an added benefit, I got a seat on the first row of economy class (yes, still in economy!). No one in front of me! More leg room! The stewardess addressed me by my last name when asked what I wanted for dinner! Way cool!

 

… the cooperative weather in Paris. I was told that it was not as cold as it was two weeks ago! Also for a borrowed thick coat and newly bought thermals which kept me warm!

 

… accommodating Filipino friends in Paris and the Hague who fed me and let me stay at their houses. Thanks friends!

… God’s favor because I was supposed to stay in a dorm-type room for four people. I requested to be transferred because someone else used my bed (bottom of the double-deck bed). And guess what? I got transferred to a five-room bed and I was alone! By the way, I chose this because it was supposed to be a Christian place which does not allow drugs and alcohol.

 

… safety in Amsterdam. It was challenging to see people whom I am certain have taken some form of drugs. There is that certain smell all around. Just think that in the cafeteria of the Christian place, I saw a couple rolling cannabis into cigarettes!

 

… good health. I did not get sick even if people around me were coughing and sneezing! And that my feet are still alive despite the long walks I did. 

 

… not missing my plane to Amsterdam. The Air France was partially on strike! I had to wait for more than an hour (normally the interval is every 15 minutes) to get into a bus.

 

… I only forgot the Van Gogh painting (print copy) at Amsterdam… and not my suitcase or my bag.

 

… wisdom from God who did not let me get lost in Amsterdam and the Hague even though I didn’t understand all the words they were saying (by the way, it is not true that they all speak English! And even tram drivers give you wrong directions!). Or when I was trying to find Starbucks in the Opera area in Paris.