Day One: "I'm just glad to be here"

Welcome, I felt it would be an injustice to the blog world not document this monumental adventure, so here I am at 0122am watching a live match between Real Madrid and Athletico (3-0 Real), eating original Pringles and enjoying a nice mixed cocktail of water and Gatorade Propel mix. I apologize for the lack of wit and creativity, but I can’t remember the last time I was so mentally and physically confused. I know now that my blood doesn’t have what it takes for international travel, but that’s another story and while we’re here I suppose we should make the best of it.

13:15 (PST) // 28.04.07

Mad dash to get all gear together was a successful operation and therefore caught the plane on time and enjoyed my seat in 21F next to an elderly Dutch woman that hadme lift her luggage and help her with the remote for the on-flight entertainment screen located on the back of the seat in front of her. Six hours later my tutorial continued and we finally agreed that it would be best for everyone involved that she only watch the real time plane map to make sure we were still on course and I advised her to let me know when the outside temperature dips below -65F.

I have to sing my first ray of praise for the on-flight entertainment, I honestly can’t remember of want to image what life would have been like taking to 10 hour plane trips back to back without the ability to contemplate watching a film like “Holiday”, because if not now, when?

After only managing 20 minutes of throughout the first flight we landed at the “Schiphol” in the beautiful flood lands of the Elenbaas Tribe.

07:45 CEST (Central European Summer Time)/ /29.04.07

My arrival in Heiny world also coincided with the first stages of delirium. Since I haven’t quite finished my medical degree I figured the best thing to do to fight a mild case of delirium would be to polish off a Heiny or two and enjoy a smoke? Who knew that I could do both of these while sitting outside of a Casino, all in the Schiphol. Road trip Goose?

Well thanks to Maieke for keeping the “Big Heiny’s” flowing and Andy and DJ Dutch for keeping me company for two hours while I tried to conquer my current state with the finest in golden Dutch Ale. Unfortunately this led to the story of the day. Here are the details that need to be known:

*misread my boarding pass for the next flight to the difference of about a half hour
*this was compounded by the numerous “Big Heiny’s” and Camels that I had spent the last two hours helping get prepped for another 10 hour plane “experience”
*compounding this fact even more is that I’m unable to read Dutch, in less you count 2.0’s pic’s of the day

So as I’m walking to find my gate with the prototypical lost American look two agents waiting at the gate immediately state: “you are Mr. Edwards?”….right away I knew things were fuct. Moving quickly through security and finding the doors closed to the final tunnel to access my new Airbus 330, I immediately panic and look for the nearest button to push obviously, which turns out to be the fire alarm button….really…it’s a button. After a scolding from 2.0’s 3rd cousin I eventually settle in to my seat with a little bit of an accelerated heart beat and the line repeated over and over, “we almost pulled your bags”…well they didn’t, and I got a story so stick it Dutchies.

Not much to tell about the 2nd plane experience other than my futile attempts at trying to maintain consecutive hours of sleep in two coach seats. Good times.

22:50 UTC // 29.04.07

Mumbai, big city of dreams? We’ll see about that, but the short time I’ve spent here I’ve been floored by the hospitality and accommodations. Not much to mention, other than Ruud Van Nistleroy scored while I was talking about my Dutch experience, so is there a windmill conspiracy? Stay tuned…. (As you see with the photos I'm working with a new camera and I haven't figured how to get myself out of the picture.)

Recommendations:

Film:

***Blood Diamond-a little predictable, but perhaps the best LdC performance since he was on Growing Pains. I’m too tired to look that up, but I think that’s right.

**1/2 Half Nelson-Where did RG come from? And why is he so good? Amazing performance, some of the other elements break down as an overall film, but still quality.

¼ Aragon-I know, but I didn’t have time to get started on The Good Sheppard so this had to do, and I wish I would’ve just read Sky Mail.

Podcasts:

SModcast Absolutely brilliant (thanks to GS for pointing me in the right direction)