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00h10
We finally take a seat in a United Airlines Boeing 757, surrounded by the
'Northern Lights Swimming Club', a bunch of 18-year old school girls leaving
enthusiastically for their next swimming tournament. Hopefully they are as tired as we are, though they didn't
went through the same adventures the last three weeks as we did.
00h45
The last view we are able to catch when the plane takes off, is Anchorage by
night and a dark, gloomy plain, the Cook Inlet.
Whilst climbing through the clouds, we suddenly get a strong sunlight from the
windows. Then the plane turns
southwards and we inevitably have to say good-bye to the 'Midnight Sun' and
the amazing land underneath.
After a snack the light in the plane is dimmed and we may close our eyes.
Fortunately, the giggle of the swimming club fades away in the snoring
of the engines ...
04h45
It has been a short night, but meanwhile we are used to it.
We start descending to Denver where the sun is already back above the
horizon.
05h15
At the arrival in Denver we may again turn the clock forward two hours: it's
07h15.
In the gigantic airport complex we search for breakfast.
We find something satisfying in 'Café de Paris', a European sounding
name but built on American habits.
8h40
We make our way to the gate but we seem to be the first passengers, two hours
too early. Hilde is worn-out of
the short night and takes a nap on the carpet floor of the waiting room.
10h00
Our 747 is being loaded. Apparently,
outside it becomes warmer. The
air above the tarmac starts trembling. Meanwhile
the waiting room is filling up. This time a women's basketball team will join us on our next
flight.
10h30
"Fasten your seat belts", "No smoking", and so on. We know
already all the procedures.
The next flight can take off.
During the flight we are able to sleep a little, just for not to hear an
Antwerp guy in the row in front of us. He
tries to explain to a blonde besides him in a kind of Antwerp English (yes, it
exists!) that Antwerp, as the capital of Europe, is worth seeing.
Of course ...
14h00
We touch ground in Washington, as a result it's 4 o'clock PM at once. Because
we fly against time, we have after a short night also a short day.
The day is literally flying by; the jetlag will be hard...
17h25
And there we go, into the last plane!
"If you don't want to go to Brussels, you may now leave the plane",
a stewardess calls over the intercom. I
don't think this applies to us. We
do want to return to Alaska, but wasn't the meaning of the question, was it?
17h40
The plane is ready on the runway to take off but the heaviest shower in three
weeks keeps us on the ground. The
air-traffic control tower imposes the pilot to wait for better conditions
before taking off.
18h00
Goodbye Washington, Goodbye USA. We take off to Brussels.
The only tangible reminder to the States is a can of Coke and a bag of
crackers.
20h00
After a dinner we try to kill time by listening to music and, if possible, we
close the eyes and try to fall asleep. It's
hard because outside it doesn't get dark. The evening sun switches over to a morning sun and so the
night has passed.
Friday,
June 21st
Washington - Brussels
Worn-out,
but satisfied …
00h30
Joe, our steward with an Ultra-Brite smile wishes us a good morning and offers
a fruit juice and croissant with coffee, a breakfast that reminds us of our
home base.
01h15
We descend. A coastline of probably the British Isles is silhouetted against
the ocean beneath us.
So, a nice weather!
And it will certainly be the same for the continent.
01h45
Good morning, Brussels! With the last time correction it's now 07h45.
Zaventem seems abandoned.
We search for our camping gear and the 'HEAVY'-suitcase and carry
towards the customs.
No, we don't have guns or fur coats in our luggage.
So the customs officer needs to let us through.
8h25
We take a train to Halle, homewards where everyone is waiting in suspense to
hear about our adventures...