Arriving in Washington DC
Door: Jolijn
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Jolijn
12 December 2012 | Verenigde Staten, Washington, D. C.
I feel great.
Today 12-12-12, I went to Washington DC. It was exciting all the way.
The online check-in didn’t work, which didn’t really bother me, but then also at the airport my data weren’t recognized, and then I feared that I wasn’t on the list to board the plane (I have had that before and then I had to go home again with my packed bags, unable to go to my destination, because CheapTickets had fooled me with a trip to Africa (not cheap and no tickets) – so I was really frightened by this error today. But by manual entry my name popped up and there was no problem at all. Lucky me :)
So I could pass, and I was surprised I could enter Schiphol Airport without any security check at all. I thought USA was extra strict. It was weird, I thought I was lucky, but then when I arrived at the gate, I saw the security scanners were there, and also I found out that my flight was delayed for 1,5 hours.
Anyway, after all I had a very nice flight, I worked quite hard, with a little 4-year old girl sitting next to me :).
I still had some fear for the border security in USA, because I heard many stories on how strict they were. So when I got out of the plane I thought I was going to be interrogated and so on, because of my past and my unconventional appearance. And they did ask me why I came here and what kind of work I do. I showed the invitation letter, and the guy asked “are you going to have that hair at your meeting as well?” I said yes, and I was allowed to pass. LOL. The next security-guy even took a picture of me, when I passed his desk. So apparently I’m loved by Homeland-security. (I wonder of they will let me go back to NL ;)
Anyway, basically since the moment I got out of the airplane, I felt like I was in the middle of my fan base. So many pictures were made, young people cheered, even a home-video was made, all because of my hair. I can hardly sit somewhere for 5 minutes without being complimented by spontaneous people passing by. Young, old, everyone comes to say how much they like it :) Including about every security guard that I saw today. It feels like the people here are really open minded towards extreme looks.
And somehow it does make sense. Even in the Netherlands I’m quite often approached in English, because people assume that I come from the States (even KLM personnel today thought I was American – and it’s always fun to shock people with the fact that I’m Dutch :) But now I can see why people jump to that conclusion. Over here diversity seems easier.
I talked to quite some people, I haven’t been lonely at all, and the KLM-stewardesses gave me some good advice for my stay: I should rent a bike here, because it’s a lovely city (it’s said to be much more relaxed than New York, really nice), and by bicycle you can see much more of the city. That seems like an awesome idea to me, because I have similar great experiences of going through Amsterdam on a bicycle and on skates. So I think it’s an excellent idea to see if I can rent a bike here, probably on Saturday, when I have my sightseeing day. (and now it even appears that the Hotel where I stay has loaner bikes for guests!!!). I’m so lucky!
The Hotel (Marriot Courtyard Chevy Chase) is really the most luxurious place I have ever stayed (better than Hilton Hotel). I have free Wifi and LAN internet in my room, and a big flat screen TV, and there even is an I-pod-docking station-alarm clock radio next to my bed,.. (but I don’t have an I-pod). It feels like a castle to me, with a superb bed, and 6 pillows for me alone :) I start feeling like a star!! How wonderful. I think I like it here :D
Today 12-12-12, I went to Washington DC. It was exciting all the way.
The online check-in didn’t work, which didn’t really bother me, but then also at the airport my data weren’t recognized, and then I feared that I wasn’t on the list to board the plane (I have had that before and then I had to go home again with my packed bags, unable to go to my destination, because CheapTickets had fooled me with a trip to Africa (not cheap and no tickets) – so I was really frightened by this error today. But by manual entry my name popped up and there was no problem at all. Lucky me :)
So I could pass, and I was surprised I could enter Schiphol Airport without any security check at all. I thought USA was extra strict. It was weird, I thought I was lucky, but then when I arrived at the gate, I saw the security scanners were there, and also I found out that my flight was delayed for 1,5 hours.
Anyway, after all I had a very nice flight, I worked quite hard, with a little 4-year old girl sitting next to me :).
I still had some fear for the border security in USA, because I heard many stories on how strict they were. So when I got out of the plane I thought I was going to be interrogated and so on, because of my past and my unconventional appearance. And they did ask me why I came here and what kind of work I do. I showed the invitation letter, and the guy asked “are you going to have that hair at your meeting as well?” I said yes, and I was allowed to pass. LOL. The next security-guy even took a picture of me, when I passed his desk. So apparently I’m loved by Homeland-security. (I wonder of they will let me go back to NL ;)
Anyway, basically since the moment I got out of the airplane, I felt like I was in the middle of my fan base. So many pictures were made, young people cheered, even a home-video was made, all because of my hair. I can hardly sit somewhere for 5 minutes without being complimented by spontaneous people passing by. Young, old, everyone comes to say how much they like it :) Including about every security guard that I saw today. It feels like the people here are really open minded towards extreme looks.
And somehow it does make sense. Even in the Netherlands I’m quite often approached in English, because people assume that I come from the States (even KLM personnel today thought I was American – and it’s always fun to shock people with the fact that I’m Dutch :) But now I can see why people jump to that conclusion. Over here diversity seems easier.
I talked to quite some people, I haven’t been lonely at all, and the KLM-stewardesses gave me some good advice for my stay: I should rent a bike here, because it’s a lovely city (it’s said to be much more relaxed than New York, really nice), and by bicycle you can see much more of the city. That seems like an awesome idea to me, because I have similar great experiences of going through Amsterdam on a bicycle and on skates. So I think it’s an excellent idea to see if I can rent a bike here, probably on Saturday, when I have my sightseeing day. (and now it even appears that the Hotel where I stay has loaner bikes for guests!!!). I’m so lucky!
The Hotel (Marriot Courtyard Chevy Chase) is really the most luxurious place I have ever stayed (better than Hilton Hotel). I have free Wifi and LAN internet in my room, and a big flat screen TV, and there even is an I-pod-docking station-alarm clock radio next to my bed,.. (but I don’t have an I-pod). It feels like a castle to me, with a superb bed, and 6 pillows for me alone :) I start feeling like a star!! How wonderful. I think I like it here :D
Reageer op dit reisverslag
Je kunt nu ook Smileys gebruiken. Via de toolbar, toetsenbord of door eerst : te typen en dan een woord bijvoorbeeld :smiley
