There are no camera tricks going on here folks!

Strangely enough, in a country not known for a supersize *anything*, this is my medium Americano from Costa Coffee. I couldn’t even finish it, and I think I’m starting to get the shakes.

After today’s work is done, we’ll be taking to the streets of London for a pint or two. Join us then for a more human scale beverage.

Tuesday was a brew night, and the 2006 Holiday Ale was on board for production.

This year’s holiday will be less aggressively spiced, and hopefully well-rounded. Ginger, cinnamon and coriander all make appearances, but the Columbus hops and Belgian yeast strain promise to make this year’s vintage unique.

The far left carboy also has a Belgian yeast in it — for a chocolate stout! It’s going to be a hybrid beer that should be tasty, but defy categorization.

Last night’s travel-fest was something we’d rather not repeat anytime soon.

After finally getting a 913pm takeoff slot to get into Atlanta’s airspace, we were asked to reboard the plane to be prepared for our eventual departure. Thankfully we did push back from the gate right on time and did the same for takeoff.

The only remaining glitches were the arrival gate — all the way out on E concourse — and the wait for our bags in the claim area. 35 minutes *after* navigating our way from the furthest point in the airport to baggage claim, we got our bags.

The whole thing finally ended with us getting home around 1130pm to a chorus of two meowing cats — 19 hours after we left for the train station in Amsterdam. Finally now the trip is over, but the morning-after work hangover is now underway.

We should’ve been home by now, but the thunderstorms that rolled through Atlanta earlier this afternoon have caused delays for many inbound flights from around the country. So, it’s time for a quick lesson in air traffic control.

Whenever inclement weather causes an airport to stop inbound flights from landing, it can cause a massive traffic jam. The regularly scheduled and the newly-delayed flights now compete for the finite number of landing slots at a given airport. Airlines will assign their landing slots based on the “priority” of the flight.

Unfortunately, our flight from Cincinnati to Atlanta is not one of the higher priority flights.

Since we’re taking another 90 minute delay, we’ve been told we can get off the plane if we don’t stray too far. Andrea is doing what any sensible person whose body clock thinks it’s 2am would do — find quiet spot in the lobby and take a nap.

I hope my turn happens soon, in my own bed.

What a quick little trip this was!

Our start to this morning’s journey was uneventful. We braved the 21 Euro hotel buffet breakfast (over $25!) to have a relaxing start to our trip back to Atlanta. An efficient train ride and easy airport navigation process was super easy (thanks, Schiphol!), and we even scored some cheese wheels at the last minute gift shop.

Our last row seats are a drag, but we’ll be home before we know it.

Tot ziens from Amsterdam!