is everyone present?
Yes, I was definitely excited about the meetup in Dusseldorf that I didn't mind waking up at 4:30 in the morning (I slept at 1:30, what the $&&*$*?!) to catch that 6am train that leaves the nearest train station here, which is located from another town and walking there takes me at least 20 minutes. I didn't get to buy a ticket for high speed trains in advance and so if I buy it now it will cost me 100euros one way (what the $#%^ again?!). I only bought a weekend journey ticket (only valid for one day!) that costs 35euros and vaild only for regional trains, meaning 9 hours of butt torture to get me to Dusseldorf.
3:00pm finally I was there. I met Lauro (of course), Devi, Charlotte, Marloes, Bart, Matt, and Archie at the central station.
cheers to all!
I somehow told them that I'd rather be called Estephanie (or Stephanie doesn't matter) than Hanie. For what reason did I use Hanie? A very difficult question. One day, 3 yrs ago, I wondered how it is to have a new name so I made a new nickname for me but until now my ears won't recognize it when somebody calls me Hanie. I do remember a couple of times here that people were shouting out my name and I didn't realize it was me they're calling, so sorry about that. I do appreciate people calling me Estephanie now (and pls use it especially when I'm in grave danger). OK so I have just written a paragraph about my name but I promise this blog will get somewhere.
The gang from the UK arrived shortly after I got there. They went to their hostel with Lauro.
will and ket and me
Archie and I walked along Immerman Street, the japan town of the city, and I found the purikura booth that I was looking for but we didn't take a pic since the line was quite long. We went to Burger King and Archie asked me what i wanted to eat but I said "None, really". But then he offered me a treat so I immediately said "OK I want to have that spare ribs!". We went back by 5 at the station to meet the others. I talked to some people a bit. I didn't recognize Ana there and it was nice to finally meet her! I introduced myself to Dave for the 2nd time, so embarassing (darn short term memory). I talked a bit to Eff, Will, Roby, Lori, Wayne, Johan, and met new people that weren't in the A'dam meetup.
We were there waiting and standing in front of the station for some people until 6pm and finally we all made our way for our short city tour.
rockstars? gangstas? psychos? what?
We got on the subway, all of us at the same time, and got off on the other side of the city. Sadly, I talked to Bennie and Wendy for only a short while. We walked through some bridge while it was a bit rainy and windy. I had to use my umbrella which in the end got broke because it was so ridiculously windy. It made Lauro and Archie happy because I almost poked their eyes out a couple of times with it. We stopped by some restaurant along the river first for some drinks. Lauro got a trophy for his job well done. He deserved it. Charlotte got some gifts for her birthday, congrats. Bennie received a new T-back, lucky guy (darn I should go to Brazil!). I was the only one probably who didn't give any tip to the waiter, sorry about that dude.
master Lauro hahaha
We walked our way to the restaurant, finally. It was cold and rainy but I had a nice talk with Thy. I wanted to go to Morocco like her this July too but too bad I can't with my schedule (and financial dilemmas). At the restaurant I met Guido, such a jolly nice man. I sat with Thy and met Melissa, she was nice too. I ordered my self a different meal from the others and was the last one to get it. It was OK. Silly Will, who was sitting from across our table, and I sort of played a game of hide and seek. I was definitely less shy this time than the meetup in Amsterdam. I got to talk more to people but I will admit that I'm still a bit quiet. I'd rather keep most of my thoughts to myself to avoid embarassment! I talked to Dave and Warren about the Philippines and they asked me what is there to see in my country.
Jeff, Wayne and me
Well, I said the beaches, natural resources and.. that's about it until I suddenly told them that it is not safe, honestly, because of robberies, thefts, etc. That made them scared. Ugh! I got to talk to Viktoria, her boyfriend Nick, Luciano, and Ashish as well. Took pics with some people who wouldn't listen to Lauro to sit down.
Thy had to leave early for work, it was really nice to meet her. Only talked for 30 seconds with Devi and it was all about Dumbledore being gay. Really, Devi, I think we should leave the guy alone. It was nice to see you again by the way! I tried my luck for the toilet but like Thy I also didn't get to go in. Rubyyyyyyyy, I'm sad this happened again. I hope you're OK now. Lauro was really really stressed during dinner.
i love how i always capture something funny (and humiliating too i bet) with my camera
Hopefully the restaurant is happy with our tip. I talked to Wayne before we left the restaurant and also on our way to the bar. He's such a nice man, I can't wait for our trip in Eastern Europe. I only had 3 hours left before I could catch my train back home and I was anxious about how much I will enjoy the rest of the night.
We had a great time at the bar. Everyone dancing around and me taking pictures of people who were lucky enough to be around me. Wayne gave me the idea of annoying Bondy with my camera. I think he hates me now. I'm sorry about that!! I had some drinks, 3 glasses of vodka lemonade, 1 I suspect is vodka as well and 1 other that I'm not sure if it's vodka too. I am not much of a drinker but it has always been a lifetime curiosity for me on how it is to be drunk.
so someone was going to punch Will behind his back and Will knows it, i suppose, since he's got that look on his face, and Wayne is really seeing things up on the ceiling
I had fun with the picture taking as always. I tried to sing along but unfortunately I always end up making up my own lyrics. Archie and Lauro tried to make me confess on who my crush is here on travbuddy thinking the alcohol would help them but my lips are sealed!! Natasha and Jeff are so cute together I must say. Will was great on the dancefloor. Ket was the party maniac of the night! Everyone's wonderful, I tried my best to take pictures with everyone but I think I didn't get to.
I decided not to catch my train anymore at 3am since I was having so much fun. 39euros wasted but 3hrs of fun memories gained! We partied until 5:30am, Johan was worried about me going home but I told him that Wayne and Bondy will drop me off at the train station.
im surprised i allowed myself to post this, i look like a goldfish-meets-mandy moore (haha dream on hanie!)
I bought another weekend journey ticket and checked the schedule for the next train for me. 7hrs and 5 trains, better than the day before. I still had to wait an hour there in the station and I was really bored. I called Lauro and asked of anyone's number because I really wanted some company. He adviced me to take some coffee and water when I told him I wasn't feeling good. I should've tried my best not to hold on to anything as I walked but I just couldn't walk straight, I knew I was going to smash my face on the floor anytime soon. And some guys of course sensed my issues. A guy talked to me and offered me 20 euros for I don't know what reason. Another one offered me breakfast too. But I shoved them off and tried to walk straight. Didn't get any sleep on the trains at all.
Matthew's in love!
Was so glad when I arrived home, and it was nice as I walked under the warm sun. But still didn't feel any better and was a bit tipsy until i got to sleep at night.
For my last words, I want to thank Lauro of course for the wonderful event. We owe all these to you, THANK YOUUUUU! And for everyone, what a great time we had! I'm sorry I didn't mention everyone of you but you were definitely a part of this amazing night! I hope to see you again one day though I am afraid I won't be in the next meetup here in Europe until next year. But I always change my plans. And the TB Meetups are worth the reason for changing them.
Nice meeting you all!
