So I arrived in Almaty all ready for the Central Asian experience and was pleasantly surprised at their brand new terminal. I was told it was only about a year old. After disembarking it was off to immigration where we lined up in front of the booth and had our digital photos taken and after making sure we wern't wanted by Interpol or something, given our stamp. As is always the case, I had to be in the slow lineup which had the most thorough immigration officer. And then of course, there were the couple cases where people who knew people were escorted to the very front of the line. I guess this was my first exposure to the realities of life in CA.

On my recent flight from Urumqi, China to Almaty, Kazakhstan, I gained a new perspective on air travel and carry on baggage. Coming from the Arctic of Canada where air travel is unique in itself, luggage restrictions are still enforced fairly strictly. So on this recent flight to Almaty, I was somewhat amazed.

I arrived to Urumqi via Bejing and was pleased to see myself step into a large beautiful, new terminal building where I had to wait some three hours for my flight to Kazakhstan. As I watched the large, modern display board, I found it strange that no check-in time was being listed for my flight. But seeing as I had plenty of time to spare, I wasn't worried. But after an hour, I thought I should ask about the check-in location and was told I had to go to the international terminal downstairs. Somewhat confused I troddled down to the first floor, where I had first arrived, wondering, where is this international area? As expected I saw no sign and even stepped outside....nothing. So back upstairs to an annoyed info desk person who told me again downstairs, outside and to your left. So back I went, my pack now feeling substantially heavier, going outside and hanging a left. Wandering out there still somewhat perplexed I finally saw the International Terminal sign on a building about half a block away.

I know that many have walked the Great Wall of China and the experience has stimulated various insightful chronicles of the trek. As well, I know that the actions of the hawkers have often been described as a negative influence. I don't know if my hike was any different from most except that for me, for some strange reason, the focus became not only the Wall itself but also the stories of two women of incredible spirit and charm.

This trip is my only personal jihad for enlightenment. Unlike the commonly viewed definition for jihad (holy war), I am going back to the arabic roots of this word as meaning striving or effort. Of course I should note that my quest for "enlightenment" is not really to the highest spiritual level, although that would definitely be nice. But in using this term, I am referring more to my gaining a better understanding of Islam through meeting people and learning about their lives and dreams and viewpoints. Having grown up with my concepts of Islam shaped largely by western propaganda, I have decided to see for myself. This is my short journey from Beijing thru Central Asia to Iran as I move from more asian culture down through to the heart of the Muslim religion.