Lunatic Ltd

My day began about 730am when I dragged myself out of bed. Then I had to run out and buy a new pair of sneakers – I know, buying new shoes the day I fly out…not smart. But necessary.

 I walked out of my apartment at about 1147a to meet my ride at the front gate by noon. When I walked around the corner, I saw my ride – a Lincoln Towncar. Black. Leather seats and tinted windows.

 “This is the way to travel,” I thought.

 The ride up was great and I arrived at IAH in plenty of time. After a quick check in, I was through security. No problems at all. Kinda boring, actually.

 The international side of IAH is MUCH nicer than the domestic side. It’s like a building from the 21st centure vs one from the 1970s, shag carpet and all. Well, the domestic side isnt’ that bad…but close!

We finally boarded the plan about 330p and I quickly found my seat, or my row I should say. The plane was virtually empty, maybe a third of it’s capacity. Just about everyone had their own row to stretch out in. It pays to fly on a weekday, to a northern country in the middle of winter. Not too many other people traveling with you!

The trip was quick and uneventful. Dinner was served almost immediately after takeoff and then I watched a movie, several episodes of the Simpsons and finally dozed off for a few hours sleep.

 We landed right on time at 7am London time. After only a few hours sleep, and my body determined that it was 1am not 7am, I knew I’d been traveling. The only problem we had was some confusion by the sky bridge drivers as to which gate we were coming into. The cool thing was seeing a Quantas Airbus A380. If you thought the 747 was big, this thing dwarfs it. The A380 has 2 full decks, instead of the 747’s half deck on top. An amazing machine.

 And I knew I was in London when the gate and terminal were rather chilly.

 I breezed through customs, picked up my bag and wandered off to find the Heathrow Express train that would take me to Paddington Station were I’d catch a taxi to the Euston Train station and my train ride out of London, through the countryside of England and up to Aberdeen.

 I will relate that story in A LOOOOON G Day, part 2.

It finally arrived. The day I’ve been waiting for since I got that first phone call about this job. Today is the day I take off on my first international trip…as a professional writer. Quite heady, really. It’s something I’ve strived for since probably the first time I read a National Geographic Magazine at my grandparent’s house at Kijabe.

And so far, it’s been a good day. I’m getting the last few things pulled together. Things like programming my TSA locks (don’t get me started on that!), making sure I have notebooks labeled, have enough pens, everything is packed and I haven’t forgotten anything TOO important. I’m copying new music to my iPod as I write, charging my Blackberry Storm so it’s ready to roll (got the Global Calling Plan set up yesterday). I cleaned my kitchen, emptying my ‘fridge of miscellaneous junk that needed to go or wouldn’t last until I get back.

Now I just have a few errands to run then I can sit back and relax while I wait for my ride to the airport. Then through all the security, checkins, etc, etc, etc. A (hopefully) short, but not too short, wait at the gate before boarding my 777 bound for London. Departure time 4p, arrival 7a local – 1a my bodies time.

By this time tomorrow, I should be chugging along on the train from London to Aberdeen. I’ll try to post another note when I get to my hotel in Aberdeen sometime after 7p local time tomorrow night. I’m sure I’ll have a few tales to tell you then!