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Day 1: USA, here we are again
After a travel day of almost 24 hours, the Dutch National Softball Team arrived in its hotel in Allentown (Pennsylvania).
The team got together around 8:00 AM on Sunday-morning at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam (Netherlands) for its second monthlong trip to the United States.
The team followed a strange route towards our final destination. We first few to Chicago, which lies (as you probably know) in the north of the States.
From there, we had to travel 'backwards' again towards the east to reach Philalphia, which is probably a 9-hour flight when done directly from Europe.
But, as mentioned, our journey lasted almost 24 hours.
It brought back memories to other flights your webmaster made in the past with Dutch National Teams.
Like in 1982, when the Dutch Baseball Team traveled to the World Championships in Seoul (Korea). Back then, we flew via Paris (France) to Anchorage (Alaska) and did the same journey on the way back.
But in Paris, we had to wait more eight hours for a 45 minute flight back to Amsterdam, meaning this travel day also lasted almost 24 hours.
Or in 1990, when the World Championships Baseball were held in Edmonton (Canada). Again, we flew via Paris, then to Toronto and onward to Edmonton. After delays in Paris (strike and oxygen problems in the plane before take-off), we arrived late in Toronto to miss our connecting flight.
After several hours, most of the team conitued, but some of us (yes, including your webmaster) had to wait four more hours for another 4-hour flight to Edmonton, making it another 24-hours journey. Oh, by the way, upon arrival, we learned from another Dutch journalist that he needed only 12 hours to get into Edmonton. He had flown directly from Amsterdam......
In 1994, the Dutch Softball Team went to New Zealand (yes, your webmaster was on that trip also, as were Anouk Mels and Mary-Ann Hatt) and flew via Washington and Los Angeles to Auckland. New Zealand is the longest destination from Amsterdam, but we added some extra hours with our journey.
But in the end, we all enjoyed these trips and were glad to be part of it.
The plane on its way to Chicago
After a smooth flight, we arrived after 8 hours and 23 minutes on Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Captain Andy (yes, we only knew him by first name) flew his plane (a Boeing 767-300 3 Cabin) at an alititude of 32.000 (9700 km) to 34.000 (10.363 km) feet with a ground speed of around 505 mph (814 kmh).
After about four hours in the flight, we left Europe (leaving the southern point of Greenland, which is part of Denmark) to reach the North American continent.
About half an hour later, we reached Canada and entered American air space somewhat over an hour before touching down in Chicago, when we crossed the Big Lakes.
In Chicago, it was 21 degrees Celsius (69 Fahrenheit), a little bit windy (OK, it's called the Windy City) and there was a little rain.
And, the suitcase of our rookie Britt Vonk was missing. It will arrive later.
Five hours and 22 minutes later after we touched down, we took off from O'Hare Airport for the flight to Philadelphia International Airport.
Captain Tim Steiner guided his Boing-757 to 'Philly' in one and a half hour and then we had to wait longer than expected, as it took more than an hour for the bus, which took us to Allentown, to arrive at the airport.
From Philadelphia, it was somewhat over an hour to reach the hotel in Allentown, where we all got to the rooms to go to bed.
Our luggage is put on the plane to Philadelphia
Players and staff on their way to their seats in the Boeing 757
Flying over downtown Chicago
OK, somewhat out of focus, but this is US Cellular Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox
On the bottom right is Soldier Field, the home of the Chicago Bears (National Football League)
Nathalie Timmermans (left) and Britt Vonk during the wait for the bus
Go back to the schedule of the 2nd USA Tour
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