Amterdam to Almaty, Kazakhstan

I arrived in Amsterdam, and got through passport control and customs with no problems and made my way to the city center. I checked into my hotel, but I arrived before the room was ready, so I had a nice walk through town. I was immediately hit with nostalgia and wondered why I ever left... After wandering for a few hours, I returned to the hotel, checked in, then was out again for a bite to eat. I went to bed early, trying (without success) to get myself on Kazakhstan time, which is eleven hours ahead of Louisiana time and four hours ahead of Amsterdam time. I awoke at about midnight, went out for a brief walk, listened to some music, watched some tv, and eventually went back to sleep.

It was almost noon when I awoke on Monday, so I got up and set out to See and do all the things I wanted to. I failed miserably. I guess the lost was much longer than what could be done in two days. At any rate, I had a good time, ate some good food, and before I knew it, it was time to pack up and get to the airport for my flight to Kazakhstan. The check-in process and exiting immigration in The Netherlands went like clockwork. I waited the couple of hours before the flight in the lounge, and eventually it was time to board the flight. It was only about a seven hour flight, and despite my best efforts to stay awake, the lie-flat seats were too tempting, and I fell asleep for the majority of the flight. When we arrived at Almaty, the immigration lines went way faster than I expected, then the bags came minutes later, and before I knew it, we were on our way to the hotel! The check in process took awhile (I'm sure their best staff members were asleep at 3am, when we were checking in...), but eventually I was up in my room, relaxing after a long travel day.

The following day, I relaxed at the hotel. Being 11 hours ahead of Louisiana time is tough, and I slept most of the day and was up most of the night. Now it is the following morning, and I am about to meet the rest of my group during our first meeting! Let's hope it's a good group!!!


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Making My Way Home

After getting packed up for the last time on the Turkey trip, I was seen off by a new friend. I made my way to the airport, drifting in and out of sleep. Once I arrived, it was the normal airport procedures to check-in and pass security. I waited in the lounge until my flight to Frankfurt boarded. I slept for most of that flight, navigated through the cluster that is the Frankfurt airport and waited in their lounge for the five hour layover I had before my flight to Houston. The flight to Houston was delightful. I have to say that the staff and crew of Continental airlines really go above and beyond. For instance, Tina, a flight attendant, remembered me from the flight from Houston to Frankfurt two weeks ago, including what I liked to drink. I didn't even have to ask! I watched Water for Elephants during the lunch service and then listened to some music before I passed out for most of the flight. Ahhh, thank you comfortable-middle-seat-all-by-itself!

The passport control in Houston was a huge mess. The line was so long it took almost 30 minutes to get through. Then I found out my last flight of the day was delayed, so I went to the lounge and waited for the time we were supposed to depart. I got to the gate to find out that the flight was ready to go, but they were switching out some seat belts, so we were delayed even further. Why they decided to do non-essential maintenance on an already delayed flight was a mystery to me, but eventually we were able to board the flight. The flight was a quick one: taking off and then landing 42 minutes later. Dad was there at the airport to pick me up, take me back to his house where I had some dinner and went to bed. It was nice sleeping in a familiar setting. It will be nicer once I've gotten furniture in my house so I can start sleeping there, but since they are still working on the roof, I think it will be best to wait until that is completed.

The week in Shreveport went by quickly: I bought some furniture for the house, moved some things in, set up the TVs, found someone to redo the deck in the backyard and screen it in so I can put a hottub back there, etc. I also had some important meetings and a doctor's appointment to get a vaccination. I don't think here was a day when I didn't visit Best Buy... Then at the end of the week, we had a small early birthday party for my sister-in-law and me, since our birthdays are only one day apart and I am going to be in Uzbekistan for the real day. I got to hang out with my niece and nephew, did laundry, packed again, and before I knew it, it was time to get on a plane for the next adventure: two days in Amsterdam, then Central Asia, then China! Should be an amazing trip!


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