Travel to the Middle East

August 10, 2014

 

 It’s that time to blog again when I get ready to travel and have those crazy dreams again.  Those who like to listen to my stories and rant…thank you!! It’s nice to be able to share my adventures with someone for free, LOL.  I’m now at DCA getting ready for trip to the middle east.  I go to Chicago then off to Amman.  Stay overnight at a very nice hotel. Off to Baghdad next morning.  Stay overnight there and then, off to Basrah so two nights of hotel stay, 3 days of fun travel.  Too much funny stuff going on the last few days.  From my crazy drive to pick up Alyssa in Binghampton, NY from my in-laws to sending a few last days with Jason and Alyssa in Virginia.  It has been a nice adventure to say the least.

To make it short, I dreamed of John the Baptist, an important person in Christian bible.  Why I dreamed of speaking to him was weird..I was trying to prove to Jason (a non-practicing Catholic) of believing in him by the miracles he performed.  Although it was Jesus that performed miracles.  I dreamed of being in control of airplanes as if I were one of the stewardess/copilots…I dreamed of going away lunches with my colleagues---- all that speaks of departure and new adventures.  I also had the most night of sleep (12 hours of sleep) having traveled 10+ hours by car in just two days.  

I got to do the bike share in DC with my brother.  We were supposed to do the Arlington loop but my brother got tired biking from Pershing before we even got there! I told him last take off from Reagan initially and he said that, “No, there’s a bike rental close to my apartment.”  After consulting with my biker friend, I thought that road from my apartment was perfect.  We realized later that, driving through the city was giving my brother stress so we’ll have to try again.  Oh well, it was fun and something new.  Having biked in Brussels on the streets, I think I conquered that fear.

Bike Share

I loved living in the Arlington/Ballston area for a few weeks.  The apartment was clean and close to the Metro (Madison Ballston) however it was like one big house.  The way it was built, it just wasn’t sound proof. You can hear people using the bathroom, walking above you, yada yada.  The BOQ remote support was helpful but rarely got back to you in the nick of time. I guess it’s a work-in-progress and I think I like it over the community at Oakwood.  Oakwood has been around forever, but it just wasn’t easily accessible to FSI or the mall, or the restaurants.  Having lived in Paris, I love being able to go everywhere by foot!  I love walking around..besides it’s more green then driving around.  I could walk to McDs/Pops/Thai Restaurant/Malls/FSI and last but not least, Zumba classes (both at mall) and by bus and the Catholid Church on Cathedral Lane.

I am now at Terminal 5 waiting for my departure to Amman, Jordan.  Looks like the hotel is a 5-star and nice spot to look at…Should be fun!  OK, the scary part is flying into and out of Bagdad as I head to Basrah Monday morning.

In the airplane

Here I am two hours away from my 1^st destination.  I see a baby in a carriage and it reminds me of Alyssa on her first trip from Brussels.  I had sooo wished I took her picture with her sleeping so peacefully.  I suppose now I missed a chance but here is what I got.  She was a young traveler (4 months old).  The hotel I’m staying at should be nice.. Tomorrow will be a rough day, going to rough territories.  First time in middle east so I hope it won’t be too much of a shock.  I already got some of the words we learned it’s been two months so need an Arabic refresher. 

Babies do Travel! 

Well, I have arrived in Amman and so far people are friendly and helpful.  However, my luggage is lost and who knows where it is… hope it is found and not in the hands of an evil L  Well I guess there is a first to everything…after traveling with State for 15 years, this IS the first.  I was a diplomat but I got to go through the security line…and just only waited 2 hours until everyone got their luggage and went home..go figure.

Well this is it for my blog..I’m done, tired and hungry!!  Thanks for reading :P