Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Seattle-Dubai-Nairobi
The flight to Dubai went by really fast and was very comfortable. We flew on Emirates via Alaska Airlines from San Francisco. One small little hitch that could have been a nightmare was resolved for all. We had a young mom with a toddler in the middle seat who did not have a seat for him. Our seats were on the perimeter of the 777 with the 3 seats configuration. I could not imagine this young mother travelling 15 hours holding her toddler on her lap in the middle seat. Fortunately for her and us-the flight attendant was able to help us when I asked if there was any other seats that was open so that mom&toddler could be more comfortable...she found a bulk head seat for the mom and left Shari and I with a middle seat open the entire trip. We were soooo grateful and relieved.....I could not imagine what a nightmare that could have been for the mother and us! Both Shari and I saw that as an omen of the Universe taking care of us!!!!!
One fun adventure -Shari and I got to visit the cockpit. I had never been on a 777 and was very curious to see what the cockpit looked like. Check the pictures....the Kiwi pilot was very generous and even took a picture and put me in the pilot seat...How cool is that? It turns out that on a long flight such as this one-they have two crew that take turns halfway through the flight. One sleeps on the way and then switches...Dubai airport was amazing-I have never seen such a rich and luxurious airport. I don't even know how to describe it. Everything was new, clean and first class. Sanitized and out of this world comes to mind when trying to describe the wonder that is Dubai! I have to admit that I liked landing in Kenya and being in its airport better-maybe it was small but it had so much charm...I did not feel so overwhelmed by the grandeur of the place like I did with Dubai.
We were met with our driver Ben right outside the gate and he drove us to our hotel-http://www.fairviewkenya.com/. It is a gorgeous oasis and if you ever make it here-I recommend it! We got to Nairobi in the middle of rush hour and got to experience what traffic land everyday life is like as everyone headed home. It was refreshing to see people walk and take these "buses" that are really small minivans that hold about 14 passengers. really amazing as well to see how 3 lanes become 5 lanes. I was very glad that I did not have to drive in that traffic. Also, we saw students getting out of school all wearing their uniforms. It turned out that our driver's wife was a headmistress -we think that means "principal"at one of the government run schools. Ben was saying that recently the government started to pay for education from kindergarten to 8th grade but it has many glitches since they did not plan it well and there is a lack of structure and money. He was very quick to offer us hospitality when we said that we would love to visit a school being that we are both educators. It is a very friendly country so far....I am looking forward to discovering Nairobi later on today...
One fun adventure -Shari and I got to visit the cockpit. I had never been on a 777 and was very curious to see what the cockpit looked like. Check the pictures....the Kiwi pilot was very generous and even took a picture and put me in the pilot seat...How cool is that? It turns out that on a long flight such as this one-they have two crew that take turns halfway through the flight. One sleeps on the way and then switches...Dubai airport was amazing-I have never seen such a rich and luxurious airport. I don't even know how to describe it. Everything was new, clean and first class. Sanitized and out of this world comes to mind when trying to describe the wonder that is Dubai! I have to admit that I liked landing in Kenya and being in its airport better-maybe it was small but it had so much charm...I did not feel so overwhelmed by the grandeur of the place like I did with Dubai.
We were met with our driver Ben right outside the gate and he drove us to our hotel-http://www.fairviewkenya.com/. It is a gorgeous oasis and if you ever make it here-I recommend it! We got to Nairobi in the middle of rush hour and got to experience what traffic land everyday life is like as everyone headed home. It was refreshing to see people walk and take these "buses" that are really small minivans that hold about 14 passengers. really amazing as well to see how 3 lanes become 5 lanes. I was very glad that I did not have to drive in that traffic. Also, we saw students getting out of school all wearing their uniforms. It turned out that our driver's wife was a headmistress -we think that means "principal"at one of the government run schools. Ben was saying that recently the government started to pay for education from kindergarten to 8th grade but it has many glitches since they did not plan it well and there is a lack of structure and money. He was very quick to offer us hospitality when we said that we would love to visit a school being that we are both educators. It is a very friendly country so far....I am looking forward to discovering Nairobi later on today...
Monday, June 28, 2010
the journey begins
It has been a whirlwind of activity this last week. Trying to get all the last minute details squared away has been comical at times. It was recommended that we take large denomination but the specification was that it had to be new and crisp bills. Well-4 banks later and all I got is a headache. No one apparently has them at this time of the year and most are ordered around the holidays. Who knew?
Then the matter of clothes...I had some atrocious colors of beige, tan and more of that color...Thank goodness for my friend who has been there and said that whatever the books recommended was not what most people had on...and although not a terribly vain person, I was relieved that I could add color back to my wardrobe.
The next big item was my camera...it was a never ending dilemma! I tried all kinds and many of the DSLR-I never even took them out of the box...way too many directions and I decided to go with my first advice that was emailed to me-get a point and shoot. Now if only I had thought to follow that sage advice first. hmmmm... It would have saved me so much time. I learned how to use my newest camera while eating dinner at El Gaucho and the friendly staff were willing guinea pigs. I even was able to take some decent prom pictures of my students. Nothing like learning how to fix the airplane while it is flying...one of my specialties apparently!
So-I am packed with more pills in my bags than I consume in two years! I will never complain about getting shots (well almost never-grin)! I also feel that I have everything but the kitchen sink...argh..really do I need all of that just in case?
And now the moment has come for me to embark on this amazing journey that started as an idea 3 years ago. Doing what your heart desires requires a lot of planning and advice from many fabulous people who were willing to share their journey. I take that on my journey.. Dubai bound for now...Peace and be well...
Then the matter of clothes...I had some atrocious colors of beige, tan and more of that color...Thank goodness for my friend who has been there and said that whatever the books recommended was not what most people had on...and although not a terribly vain person, I was relieved that I could add color back to my wardrobe.
The next big item was my camera...it was a never ending dilemma! I tried all kinds and many of the DSLR-I never even took them out of the box...way too many directions and I decided to go with my first advice that was emailed to me-get a point and shoot. Now if only I had thought to follow that sage advice first. hmmmm... It would have saved me so much time. I learned how to use my newest camera while eating dinner at El Gaucho and the friendly staff were willing guinea pigs. I even was able to take some decent prom pictures of my students. Nothing like learning how to fix the airplane while it is flying...one of my specialties apparently!
So-I am packed with more pills in my bags than I consume in two years! I will never complain about getting shots (well almost never-grin)! I also feel that I have everything but the kitchen sink...argh..really do I need all of that just in case?
And now the moment has come for me to embark on this amazing journey that started as an idea 3 years ago. Doing what your heart desires requires a lot of planning and advice from many fabulous people who were willing to share their journey. I take that on my journey.. Dubai bound for now...Peace and be well...
Friday, June 18, 2010
The countdown begins
6/18/10
Today has been the end of one journey and the beginning of another. I am excited and sad at the same time since this trip was the culmination of having achieved a milestone in my life by graduating with my Masters and getting a dream job-being a school counselor at an elementary and high school that have amazing brave students and staff. It is not often that one gets to walk amongst "giants" and I have been truly inspired. It is with this thought that I will start my journey to Africa in less than 10 days. I am ending with the lyrics of a song that one of my principals uses at the end of the year that is one of my favorites...it has come to symbolize the full circle of what we do day in and day out as educators with our students. Enjoy!
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts
I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,
But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.
But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.This is my wishI hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big !
Today has been the end of one journey and the beginning of another. I am excited and sad at the same time since this trip was the culmination of having achieved a milestone in my life by graduating with my Masters and getting a dream job-being a school counselor at an elementary and high school that have amazing brave students and staff. It is not often that one gets to walk amongst "giants" and I have been truly inspired. It is with this thought that I will start my journey to Africa in less than 10 days. I am ending with the lyrics of a song that one of my principals uses at the end of the year that is one of my favorites...it has come to symbolize the full circle of what we do day in and day out as educators with our students. Enjoy!
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts
I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,
But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.
But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.This is my wishI hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big !
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