A Stormy Affair with Kyrill

Our sojourn to Utrecht started mid-morning Wednesday as we headed towards the nearby train station. While crossing the roads to get to the train station, gusty winds swooped my husband's cap away. Luckily, a passerby who jaywalked further in front of us, retrieved the cap and graciously returned it back to him. We laughed when the cap flew away, in sheer disbelief of the wind's propensity. On hindsight, the event portends to a series of incidents which will be taking place in the following day.

The main purpose for this sidetrip to Utrecht is for my hubby to visit the company where one of his lecturers works, so that he'll be able to utilize the software tools, central to the development of his thesis. Another reason is to go sightseeing at a different part of The Netherlands. To unwind from the usual humdrum in Delft. However, my much-anticipated cobblestone saunter around the historical parts of Utrecht was dashed by the rainy condition that befell us as soon as we arrived in Utrecht. And the pandemonium that ensued after our arrival further dissuaded me from venturing outdoors.

First, there was a mix-up with respect to the check-in time. The website specified 1pm as the check-in time but this was negated by the receptionist who informed us the room would only be ready the earliest at 2pm and the latest 3pm! 3 o'clock is apparently the normal time for checking in.

Secondly, since my husband's appointment was scheduled at 2pm, we were at a loss of what to do. It's either he deferred the meeting to tomorrow morning or moved it later than 2pm. We decided the latter was the more prudent, logical option, considering how expensive the one-night stay.

To pass the time, we then proceeded to have lunch at La Place restaurant, of the V&D department store chain. The precipitation turned heavier as we trekked to the relatively nearby La Place, that by the time we went through its revolving doors, we looked harried and weatherbeaten.

Lulled by the ambient noise of mostly corporate lunchers, Sadia couldn't open her eyes anymore and dozed off immediately after we seated ourselves. The lunchroom's vegetarian quiche and cappucinos helped to distill our travel-weariness. This was possible despite the gnawing presence of a worker on a ladder painting one long side of the restaurant's walls, within mere meters from some patrons who seemed both oblivious and insouciant with the labor in progress. Couldn't he wait until the restaurant closes?!

By 2:15 we crossed the threshold into our hotelroom and my husband hurried thereafter to catch the bus route that would bring him to his lecturer's building (whose interiors he later told me look like the headquarters of MIB!). Hmmm, I wonder.....

Sadia was wide awake as soon as we attempted to put her on the bed that I spent the rest of the afternoon tending to Sadia. Giving her favourite foods, playing hide-and-seek and other games (like Sadia chasing me - we're both on all fours - around the room), and keeping her entertain with old and new gadgets (like the hotel phone which I disconnected from its line!).

At 5pm, the rain still hadn't let up. Both of us were getting restless and could be seen oft-times peering outside the huge glass window from our 6th floor which faced an office building of equal height. On all floors, people toiled away under the glare of oversized fluorescent lights. Down below the canvas rooftop that opens to the lobby area flapped away with such elemental force.

Oh yeah, I'd left out one highlight of this trip, which is Hoog Catharijne! One of the largest indoor (or 'covered') malls in Europe, HC has a total floor area of 250,000 sq.m and houses about 160 stores including V&D department store, cafes, bars, restaurants and a cineplex.



The Utrecht Centraal station, which is annexed to HC, provides great convenience and serves an immediate attraction to first-time visitors in Utrecht. Awed by its sheer size and the multitude of people whizzing through its complex, we momentarily lost our bearing when we first stepped onto its massive ground. This train station is by far, to my estimation, bigger than Amsterdam's and Den Haag's central stations.

Since my husband would not arrive back on time before HC's closing time - 6pm, I was geared up to explore the much touted shopping mall with Sadia. So by 5:30pm, with Sadia slung inside the baby carrier, I was already inside the Centraal Station enroute to HC which is situated at the far end of the indoor complex. Thankfully, the rain had subsided by the time I finally got ourselves ready and went out the lobby's automated revolving door.

I trolled a substantial part of HC's grounds for interesting buys or bargains that might match my budget. Sadia, who is getting taller by the day, needs a new set of long pants, or specifically another pair of jeans. After scouring one long corner of HC, I hiked to the other wing where V&D is located. Sadia became more quiet - a sign that she wanted to sleep - so I decided to nurse her on the children's section of V&D. My husband finally joined us in V&D's La Place Marketplace (mini food court like La Marche) for dinner, which was timely since V&D closes later, at 7pm.

Next day, the weather condition deteriorated considerably - three flags on top of aforementioned office building whirled haphazardly in the blustery wind and hapless pedestrians plowed through the tempestuous elements.

Our short, albeit wind-challenged walk to HC was carefully planned with the quickest route possible. After purchasing one pair each of pants and jeans for Sadia and lolling around at La Place cafe, we decided to call it a day and boarded the 1pm train. The station's main foyer was filled with travelers whose attention was intently focused on the large electronic board detailing all itinerary-related information. I wondered what contributed to the unusual swarm of people, but maybe what considered strange to me, is normal business for Utrecht Centraal. If only I had known then.....

The train moved along as scheduled but at a snail pace. My husband and I were exchanging funny looks when the P.A. system informed something in Dutch. The other passengers then started yammering in response. We just hoped it was nothing of dire consequence.

Yet, our journey home continued slow-paced amidst gusty winds and cold rain. Then, another voice came on and announced (again in Dutch), much to the passengers' anxiety where some quickly turned to the mobile phones to call or SMS. That's it - I had to know. Without preamble, I asked the elderly man sitting behind me and he told us that some faulty electrical lines - attributed to the windstorm - along the railroad route forced our train to maintain speed at the permissible limit. As such, our arrival to Den Haag would undoubtedly be delayed.

The 40-minute train ride was unavoidably stretched to slightly over an hour. However, that was not the worst part. We wanted to catch another train to Delft but failed to find any information pertaining to the platform on which we should wait. Nor was there the customer rep present at the travel information kiosk. We doubled back to Platform 1.

At one corner before entering Platform 1 (the usual one that serves Den Haag-Delft line), one train official was giving travel advice to a large group of disgruntled and worried travelers. Finally, we managed to locate a free NS officer who advised us to take the tram instead since no train service was available for our route!

With no other options left (unless we foot the bill for an expensive taxi fare), we lugged our carry-on luggage to the designated tram stop. And of course, the usually empty weekday tram to Delft was full to the brim with people that the three of us had to stand until we reached our stop. We also managed to pacify Sadia with her favourite cheese breadsticks, much to the displeasure of some snotty 'seated' passengers who saw her eating (you are not permitted to eat inside the tram but I've seen rowdy adults munching away that I gather giving snacks to babies are not only 'socially' beneficial but also 'peace-offering').

Heading home in south of Rotterdam proves to be cumbersome

We were about to cross the roads to the other side after getting off the tram when a sudden rush of 'industrial-strength' winds hit our path, causing us to almost tumble over to our left side! In fact, our carry-on fell sideways on the ground. Fortunately, my husband learnt his lesson and didn't don the cap! :)

Our attempted dash to the apartment proved to be a Herculean task since the gale pushed us forward with equal vigor and menace! Finally, we entered the warmth sanctuary of our home after a two gruelling hours of traveling time! We then opted to hide under the covers shortly after we ate some frites (the quickest snack to silent our growling stomachs). ;)

In Amsterdam, riding the bicycle is not an option - two photos taken from ANP-PHOTO.com

Apparently, the storm called Kyrill had wreaked havoc of gargantuan proportions across Central Europe and Great Britain. It caused the delays and cancellation of train services, flights and other means of public transport. Some fatalities were also reported including The Netherlands, which in turn prompted my mother to call and sms me several times the next day to ensure our safety.

On Friday, the gale-like effects had tapered off, thus enabling us to stock up on our groceries and other necessities. After three nights on a row of hailstorms - pounding violently on our skyroofs that at some point we're convinced it might bore a hole - this coming week will be bad in terms of climatic changes. Delft is expected to dip below zero celsius! Yikes! No more lazy walks along the canals for me. Hehe. Now I eagerly look forward to pleasant temperatures in February! * fingers crossed*