I arrived at the Budapest airport to fly back to LA on Swiss Air through Zurich only to be told that the Zurich-LA flight was cancelled. In a very short time, they printed me a ticket to LA on KLM. Not only that, the new flight got me to LA earlier than the original flight. Excellent service or perhaps just excellent luck. Hearing the letters K-L-M, to me spelled out A-m-s-t-e-r-d-a-m. I was going back. And the 2 hours between flights sounded like plenty of time for me get into town and stroll around. And of course, pick up some stroopwafels.
I wouldn't have attempted this in any other city, but I was pretty confident that I could get to Amsterdam and back in time. The train takes 15 minutes each way, directly from the city center to the inside of the airport. Add a few minutes for walking, carry the one...voila, I should have at least time for lunch in Amsterdam.
11:25 Flight lands. Ok things look good.
11:45 Still in the plane. Dammit! Adding up the minutes again, subtract, divide by 0, ok, maybe not lunch but a short stroll.
11:50 Out of the plane and running. Boarding pass in hand. Bags already checked thru. Just run to the train.
11:51 Passport controls, argh. Why is there a line? c'mon move move. stamp it. more running.
11:55 Trying to buy a damn train ticket. I know the yellow kiosks but I only have a 10 euro bill. Machine takes coins, no one will give me change. Bastards. Maybe I can just jump on the train. There's rarely ever a check especially for such a short ride. Nope, not worth the risk...don't have time to get busted. Why can't I buy a damn 3 euro ticket!!
11:57 I'll try a credit or debit card. I knew the US cards wouldn't work, what else can I try. Next train at 12:01, otherwise 12:15. Every minute counts.
11:59 Duh, I'm such an idiot. Buy the ticket at the ticket window. How could I forget. 2 minutes till the next train. Why is the person in front of me a retard. Get your ticket and leave!! A minute is an eternity. Should I still go? I dared myself. If you don't do this you'll regret it. When's the next time you'll be in Amsterdam. What's the worst that can happen. You'll get stuck another day in your favorite city in the world? Do it.
12:00 Got my ticket. But what a major mistake. wasted time at the yellow automated kiosks. Ran, no not ran, flew, I flew down the people mover to the train, hop on, doors shut. Damn that's too close.
12:01 On the train. Ah the sound of a dutch train. I'm happy, but nervous. Watching the watch, doing the math again, cutting it close. real close.
12:10 Passing by sloterdijk station. Feels like I never left.
12:15 At central station. Get out of my way slow people. I've got no time. Pick up the free metro newspaper...I'll brush up on my dutch on the plane.
12:16 Check out the timetable for the return train. What time, what track.
return at 12:34. Track 1b. No problem. Walk 9 minutes and come back.
12:25 Walking down the main street. It's December 1, 2006 but not that cold. Sunny. The air feels good. The sound of bikes and trams. Will I make it to De Dam? No that's too far. Turn around. Gotta find stroopwafels. 3 euros for stroopwafels? You crazy? Why isn't there an Albert Heijn?
12:28 Spent too much time looking for stroopwafels, damn. but I've got 'em. Time to run.
12:33 Track 1b is close to the entrance. I'll make it. Running up the escalator. Where's the f'ing train. This doesn't look right. 1b is for international. Check the timetable again. Damn it was track 13. All the way on the other side. Running.
12:35 It's too late. I'm in the center of Amsterdam. My flight leaves in 40 minutes. next train at 12:45
12:45 longest 9 minutes of my life. 3 or 4 stops until the airport. Doors open, doors close. Heart races. Awaiting the sprint of my life. Tickets were never checked. I could have left earlier. Oh well.
1:00 Arrive at the airport. Running like I never knew I could. Hurdling over suitcases and small children. I'll have 10 hours to rest all I want, I tell myself. But for now, just run.
1:02 Check the monitor. Which gate? D43. blinking red lights "GATE CLOSING". The prayers begin.
1:04 Passport controls again and a long line. Noooooo. This is the end. This is where my time calculations went wrong... the passport controls. But there's still hope. I run near the front. I'm told the next window will open soon. Another minute passes standing in front of an empty glass booth. I call my dad, it's 4 AM in LA. "My original flight got changed, but I might miss this one too. I'll keep you posted."
1:06 Passport stamped. Damn that was lucky. But am I too late? The metal detectors aren't central. They're at each gate. Otherwise for sure I'd have been doomed. Run towards D43. The signs shows 5 to 15 minute walk. Not at my speed. Running so fast on the people mover, I'm launched off when it ends. Nearly crashed. I'm channeling strength from my days time trialing at anaerobic threshold.
1:09 I go the wrong way but I catch the mistake quick. D1-40 right, D41-80 left. I could have gone all the way to 40 and had to turn around.
1:10 I get to the gate, it's empty but the plane is there, I'll be the last to board. Backpack goes thru metal detector. Relieved, but still shaking. Won't do that again. I call my dad again. "I made it".
1:11 I'm on the plane. 10 minutes from train to plane. World record. I take my seat between 2 people. The huffing and puffing continues for another half hour.
The plane sits at the gate another 40 minutes. Someone didn't get on the plane so his bags are being removed. "Not mine?" I ask the stewardess. No, someone else. Damn those late people who hold things up for the rest of us!
Labels: airports, amsterdam, netherlands
