Sidney’s travel journal · 2010

Europe through Sidney’s eyes

“MY TRIP” — by Sidney Cairo

Paris without luggage. England in the snow. Sledding in Switzerland. A visit to Austria—and a long journey home. Sidney tells the story of his family’s European trip in his own words.

Adapted from Sidney’s original 14-slide presentation, shared by his family. His first-person passages appear below with light spelling, punctuation and grammar edits. The introduction, headings and photo labels were added for this edition. The original presentation is preserved at the end.

Chapter 01

Paris, France

Arrival at CDG airport: Paris, France (without our luggage).

Family arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 2

My family and I at the Eiffel Tower. Standing at pretty much the same place a famous figure stood 70 years ago…

Sidney and his family in front of the illuminated Eiffel Tower.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 3
Sidney’s historical comparison

Sidney placed this historical reference image beside his family photograph in the original slide.

Historical reference photograph of figures at the Eiffel Tower, included by Sidney in his original presentation.
Historical reference image from the original presentation; not a family photograph.

My family and I at Notre Dame Cathedral and at Napoleon’s tomb.

Family photograph in front of Notre Dame Cathedral.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 4
Family photograph beside Napoleon’s tomb.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 4

Chapter 02

England

My family and I boarding a Eurostar train to England through the English Channel.

Family beside a Eurostar train on the station platform.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 5

We arrived at my aunt’s house too early (they were not home yet). So we went to the pub (bar). I got “lemonade” (7Up).

Family arriving outside a house in England.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 6
Sidney seated at a table in the pub.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 6

Our first 3 days in England were nice. Then we got stranded the last 3 days. The reason: 1 cm of snow. I’m dead serious…

Day 1–3: Travelling around London. Day 3–6: Stranded in Edenbridge, Kent, England.

Sidney looking at a historical display during the London visit.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 7
Family seated together indoors in England.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 7

So my 2 cousins from Singapore, bored and thinking it was not cold outside, decided to do this.

Sidney’s cousins outdoors in the snow.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 8

Chapter 03

Switzerland

The next day we got stranded at Gatwick airport waiting for our flight to Zurich, Switzerland. But finally made it.

Family with their luggage during the journey to Switzerland.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 9

My cousins from Singapore also went sledding. The sled they were equipped with was a little too small for them. Meanwhile, my dad and I were having a photo shoot.

Sledding on a snowy hillside.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 10
Sidney and his father posing beside a building in the snow.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 10

Chapter 04

Austria

We also went to Austria!

Family group beside a snowy path in Austria.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 11
Family on a street in Austria.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 11

Chapter 05

The journey home

It was time to say bye and head back home. We were scheduled to stay in Minneapolis for 5 hours. But we left 20 hours later the next day. Here is the story…

Sidney seated at a table with a handheld device during the journey home.
From Sidney’s presentation · Slide 12

Why we got stranded at Minneapolis

Main reason: Planes not working. How many planes did we board: 4. So that means people got mad. The staff checked after we boarded, not before. What did we get back: Nothing. What made most people happy in the end: Booze (alcohol). I’m serious.

In Sidney’s words

“THE END”

Sidney’s original presentation, preserved as he created it.

Download Sidney’s original presentation

PowerPoint · 14 slides · 4.9 MB

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