Brunansky's Blog

The year was 2015. The Marvel Cinematic Universe was in its early stages of filmography. We had Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow and so many more beloved characters on the big screen. By 2015, we were also introduced to the Guardians of the Galaxy. These were all well and good. Also in 2015, we were about to see on the big screen one of the most infamous, and terrifying, villians the Avengers have faced in Ultron.

This anthropomorphic robot terrorized not only the Avengers but the world of Marvel comics since 1968. Finally, we were about to see him come to life with modern filmmaking techniques we’ve never had before.

The film was to be released a week earlier in Europe, London specifically, before its release in the United States. Being a fan of the comics, tv shows, films and videogames since childhood, I saw an opportunity to celebrate multiple things.

First, I saw an opportunity to travel even further than I had by this point of my life. Travel for me consisted mostly of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Second, I saw an opportunity to celebrate my fandom in a very large way. Fly to London to see a film a week before everyone I knew back home in Phoenix, Arizona. Thirdly, visit Europe which has always been a place of interest.

Walt Disney enjoyed a trip through Europe before he really turned Disney in what we know of it today. He has accreditted that trip as a major impact on his ideas and designs for many of the beloved stories and designs we know today. Plus, the stories of Merlin, the Knights of the Round Table, personal family history from Europe and so much more. I saw this as an all encompassing opportunity.

I was dating one specific girl at this time. I told her that I had plans to travel to London for a week to see this film. She objected on the fact she couldn’t get the time off work to join me. I then proceeded to tell her that I hadn’t planned on her joining me. If you’ve ever been in a relationship with someone, I’m sure you can piece together how the rest of that conversation went. In short, I did not end up travelling to London in 2015.

Fast forward to 2024, present day, and I have successfully enjoyed a trip to Europe. Years prior the plan was to visit only London. Today, I have visited the Netherlands, Germany and Poland. The trip that took almost a decade to make happen has finally been enjoyed! Let’s take a look at that trip.

The morning of departure finally arrived. The excitement was palatable. I could barely sleep the night before departure. Regardless, the alarm went off. I was already awake putting together my travel backpack. I said goodbye to Rey the Dog. I put my travel backpack on my back, and with it securely fastened, I walked to the coffee shop on the corner.

I arrived at the coffee shop with hours to spare before boarding the first flight. I ordered a regular black coffee. I sat down at a table. I began to set up an account to order a car ride to the airport. Then, I discovered that it is actually impossible to order a car service without a phone number. An e-mail address won’t work? Perplexed as I was, I asked a young lady if she could place the order for me and I’d give her cash. She attempted, but, still needed a phone number for me. I asked her and a few others if they would be willing to drive me to the light rail and I’d pay them cash. None were driving East. Everyone was heading West to work.

This caused an immedient bit of stress. With no phone or phone number, I now had to get to the airport without a car service… but how? I could not miss this flight. Everything had already been paid for and planned. Everything except this inconvenient moment, I mean. The day before, I had put my two weeks in at the job I was helping out at. This trip had been carefully and quietly planned. I would not miss another chance to fly to Europe. Nothing would stop me from getting to Sky Harbor Airport.

I drank the coffee as quickly as possible. Then, I put the backpack on my back as securely as I could manage. I began to briskly walk to the bus stop. As I approached the bus it pulled away. Knowing that I could not miss any future rides, I tightened the backpack, and started running towards the next stop. As I approached the next stop, another bus pulled up and I climbed aboard not knowing where it would take me.

I asked the bus driver if his route went to the light rail. He said yes. Completely soaked in sweat from running with a heavy backpack on, I sat down on the bus. Eventually, the bus arrived at the light rail stop. I left the bus and ran to the light rail ticket booth. The light rail was within view of the station. I purchased a ticket. Once more, I walked briskly to the light rail station as the train pulled up. I boarded the train. Soaked in sweat, breathing a bit heavier than normal, I removed the backpack and sat down on the train.

The train ride went smoothly. The train arrived at the airport skytrain early but not as early as I had planned. I boarded the airport sky train. Eventually, it arrived at the departure terminal. From there, I made my way down to the ticket counters. I printed a physical copy of my tickets. Then, with printed tickets in hand, I made my way through security.

Once I had passed through security, I still had a few minutes to spare. I stopped at the bar nearest to the departing gate. I drank a beer. Then, I walked to the departing gate and boarded the first flight.

There was a feeling of confidence racing through my body. The trip had been planned and mostly paid for in advance. The airplane tickets, the sleeping accommodations, and train tickets were paid for ahead of time. This trip had been carefully planned for months prior to departure. The feeling I experienced in the air was in stark contrast to the stress of attempting to get to the airport just moments before. Now, seated on the plane, and soaring through the air I was en route to Houston, Texas. The first and only stop before landing in Amsterdam. I enjoyed a coffee and some snacks on the flight.

After a short time in the sky, the plane touched down in Houston. The layover in Houston was brief. It is an international airport that I had not yet visited. I deboarded the plane and quickly figured out the layout of the airport. I moved with a sense of urgency as the layover was less than an hour by the time I was off the plane.

I quickly made it to the departing gate. Thankfully, there was a bar near the departing gate. And here, at this unique bar within the Houston International Airport, I found the first of my curious experiences.

I walked to the bar. I flagged the bartendar down and proceeded to place an order. He told me that he doesn’t take orders. A bartendar at a bar doesn’t take drink orders? Confirmed. He does not. You have to scan a QR code on the bar. Then, using whatever device you have, you can order your food and drinks. The order is then placed on a screen behind the bar. The bartender reviews the active orders and brings you whatever you just ordered.

It was an interesting way to place a drink order. You order on your device. You pay on your device. You wait in your seat until the bartendar brings you whatever you ordered and paid for. I suppose on a busy day this is helpful. On this particular day, there was only a girl from the Netherlands sitting beside me. Plus, an elderly couple a few seats down from us.

The young woman and I had a delightful talk while at the bar. She told me about her trip to South America. She shared some photos and videos of her trip. We got along quite well. When it was time to leave, she and I left the bar and walked and talked our way onto the plane. Then, we departed Houston and began the flight across the world to Amsterdam.

The flight went well. I slept on and off for most of the flight. I enjoyed the food and drinks. Then, eventually, we arrived in Amsterdam. We all deboarded the plane and made our way through the customs counters where my passport received its first stamp. Then, once past Customs and officially in the country, I found my way to the trains leaving the airport. Down below the airport, I found my train and was en route to the city.

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