Mother or Travel Agent?

So communication since Riley has been in Europe has been spotty at best. He's very busy training and socializing and thinking of calling his mother on regular occasions falls way down the list of "to do's. That is with the exception of when he wants something - usually money or changes to his travel schedule.

This week was full of both as he ended up on an unexpected extent ion to include Germany. Getting him to Germany was challenging for sure but we succeeded and he is safely ensconced in the hotel and reports back are that he is training well, the food is "ok" and the hotel is kind of interesting with lots of shops, restaurants and a train station near by.

Once in Germany however, Riley discovered his return trip home required him to be in the Berlin airport for at 6:45 am Monday flight to Frankfurt. For a "not so good in the morning" guy this was a tragedy. Compounded by the fact that Rostock (location of the Grand Prix) is not really in Berlin but a 2.5 hour bus ride outside of Berlin. Hmmm - a welcome call from my son turned into a further request for flight changes. Well after numerous attempts to meet his social and sleep deprived schedule, I had to admit defeat and tell him he had to stick with the original plan. I was really bummed as I pride myself in sorting out all the travel details right down to googling the best possible connections and rates on hotels. (I will look at 5 sites to save 5 bucks...). I was reminded that the reason he wanted a change may have nothing to do with his performance and likely more to do with missing the after party. For a 15 year old in Germany, I'm glad the original plan is in tact.

He won't be a bundle of joy when I pick him up at the airport on Monday but it will be great to see him. Oh and yes ... he will be coming home with a whole suitcase full of dirty laundry.