### Finally, the day of my trip to Europe is here! 

![pexels-photo-723240.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNkreaB9MidDXWeziWk93gTT4ZP9B7771uCTqEC2tPoQN/pexels-photo-723240.jpeg)
[source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/photography-of-airplane-during-sunrise-723240/)
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__I was awaiting this with lots of anticipation, but also some nervousness, because  I'm not traveling entirely for pleasure. It's more like an extended business trip during which I will go to work meetings, but also take advantage of my time there to visit my friends and family in Brussels, Luxembourg and Ireland.__

### The start
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The first part of my trip was a bit chaotic, because my first plane in Panama had a flat tire and they had to call some  Martians in space suits to fix the wheel (see photo below). The only airline that connects my little island with the capital of Panama only has 3 planes, and so we had to wait until the next day to depart. 

![Collage_Fotor.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmY791KS45kQ8hWn1fPPt3FCFJmF4MnPifJtPoiDUK7FFu/Collage_Fotor.jpg)

I know this is a shitty airline, so I had anticipated some delays, and it's always a smart move to fly the day prior in order to avoid missing your international flight. It was the case for some of the people in our group, and I felt bad for them. 

The following morning, we were able to fly to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City without any further mishaps.

### International Airport
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Personally, I don't need to arrive at my destination country in order to feel this rush that comes with a new trip or vacation. It starts right at the airport. I simply love watching the masses of people who will either go back home or to some new destination to discover. It's simply the best place for people watching. 

![waiting.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmR4mWk4mLCFDYVCBRwa96LkXgtBkM6s2PESTMKzUwqPb6/waiting.jpeg)

It starts with going through security. Everyone has to strip (or almost), and take off their shoes, belts, hats, sweater and jackets and open their bags. The weird human scanner makes you get into that ridiculous position where you have to stand on painted footsteps and hold you hands up in a "don't shoot me I'm unarmed" position. I was only wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt, yet apparently I still needed to be padded down. The security officer (female of course!) seemed to take her sweet time with me, and I suspect that she was actually enjoying this. 

I'm one of those control freaks who likes to arrive very early to check in, and then just relax and have a coffee while I wait. This is my favorite moment. I have a middle aged German couple to my right, a Panamanian group of friends in their late 20's or early 30's in front of me, and an elderly lady right next to them. I didn't know her nationality because she didn't speak to anyone. She was just like me, traveling alone.

 The advantage of speaking several languages is that you get to eave's drop a little in airports, and some of the conversations can be quite entertaining.

"Squat is spelled with QU, not with K, you don't know what squatting means?" the German husband says to his wife, who's definitely not understanding him and trying to type it on her phone".

Meanwhile one Panamanian girl tells her boyfriend how she found this perfume she likes, and makes him smell her hand. Her gesture is closely followed by "it only costs $50" which the boyfriend skillfully ignores, probably because he understood the hint decided not to take it. 

Most people are glued to their phones, which isn't surprising these days. So was I quite frankly, sending some last whatsapp messages to my husband before leaving, and some chats on Discord. 

### Boarding time
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![boarding.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWeSjhW3gMbJruLBYQs417DpexXTcJoY4FS28dZhpLQeF/boarding.jpeg)

I particularly like to observe travelers who have the privilege to fly first and business class, and board before everyone else. This crowd usually acts very important and walks with a sense of entitlement (or am I reading too much into it?). I check what they're wearing because it can tell a lot about the nature of their trip, and wonder what they do in their lives. I wonder if they're happy or miserable, or somewhere in between like 80% of the population. 

I like to wait until the very end, and let everyone pass in front of me. There's no point in rushing and waiting in line, and from my seated position I have an even better view of the crowd. Once everyone's in, I follow. 

### On the plane
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To my disappointment I was assigned a middle seat, which I can't stand because you get stuck with perfect strangers to your left and right. I forgot to assign my own seat when I booked, and was regretting it now. To my left was an elderly overweight lady, and her arm invaded my section. I didn't complain, because she couldn't do it any other way due to her body weight. Later on she came in handy, because I was able to use her as a quite comfortable body pillow =). 

The food was shitty, which surprised me from KLM. It was the first time that I had ordered a vegan meal, and what I got was less than appetizing. Bland pasta (no sauce) with a little side of spinach, and a dry piece of bread. Great! Breakfast was under-cooked baked potatoes (yes, for breakfast!) and a piece of tomato, again with a dry piece of bread. I should have snapped a picture, but my phone was turned off and hard to get to.

At least I had access to unlimited red wine, which saved my day and helped me fall asleep quickly.

![wine.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRJ7fNqUCrNjh9m6HVczdkexqE39gFcRntcST695WLZ3G/wine.jpeg)

The lady next to me didn't speak a word of English and this was probably her first international trip. She was headed to Amsterdam, and I wondered whether she had a son or a daughter there to visit. I didn't ask. When I travel, I don't like to engage in conversations. I prefer to listen to my music and daydream about the things I will do and the people I will see when I arrive at my destination.

This trip is particularly emotional for me, because I'm visiting a friend I haven't seen in 9 years. We had a falling out last time we saw each other, and both of us being rather stubborn, we didn't remedy the situation until 2 weddings, 2 children and 1 divorce later. She was my biggest heart break because we were like sisters to one another, but even siblings can badly disappoint each-other sometimes. It's a shame really, but I'm glad that we've finally reconnected now and I cannot wait to make up for our lost time. I guess we've both grown to be more mature and wiser. 
As I dose off after watching "Atomic Blonde", I imagine how it will be when we both see each-other at the train station. 

_Will she run towards me with open arms, or will she wait in her car? Will she have changed much, and will she think that I have? Will we a great time or will it be awkward? Only 5 more hours, and I'll know..._

### The arrival 
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I almost forgot how efficient Europe is in regards to...wait...everything. Living in Panama where imperfection is the norm, it's always a nice surprise to see things run so smooth.  I love my tropical chaos though, and wouldn't change it for the world, but I'm amazed by the European public transportation system. 

I got my luggage in less than 5 minutes and was on the train 15 minutes later. I'm getting closer and I'm growing more anxious by the minute. I'm also extremely tired because I had 2 sleepless nights in a row and the jet-lag isn't exactly helping. I feel like I'm in a movie, not participating, just watching. I'm running on autopilot, or rather sleepwalking, until I finally spot her from afar. 

She did indeed run towards me, and we hugged for a very long time. No crying though, just happiness and smiles. She hasn't aged much and still looks gorgeous, but I can tell that she's also lacking sleep. I wonder if it was the anticipation of my arrival, or if her busy life as a single mom is taking a toll on her. She would tell me all about it later, over dinner. She says that I look exactly the same, just a little skinnier and with more tattoos, and we leave together, as if nothing had ever separated us. It wasn't weird at all, it was very natural, as if we had seen each-other just last month. We drive off to her house, and I can finally take a shower and rest.

 Today I need to catch another plane to Ireland, but I will be back in Brussels for work and to hang out with my friend some more. 

Stay tuned for more blogging in the coming days, WiFi willing =)
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#### Have you ever reconnected with a lost friend or family member? How was it?
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