Home again

There isn't much to say about Amsterdam. I spent most of my time there writing and publishing the blogs. I did discover that the airport limits you to two connections of 30 minutes each so I did "run out of internet" while I was there.

After writing the blog I did go to the duty free shop and buy some chocolates for some of the people that I love.

Then I decided to get some of those Noodles that I got on the way to Angola. I've decided I like Soba noodles better than ramen and miso broth more than soy broth and that I really have to find a place for good noodles in Boston.

I walked the brief distance to the gate and, even though I was really early, it was very crowded. There was very little seating available in the pre-security area. I took a little time to publish the blogs that I had written and then I got in the line to go through security even though it wasn't scheduled to open for more than 30 minutes.

As usual, every time I thought I was finished with my passport, I was asked for my passport again. I tried making conversation with a few people but most people seemed to be reluctant to get involved. I did find people who were returning from Kenya, Switzerland and Italy.

Talia finished her painting

I tried chatting with Chilufya on my cell using WhatsApp. He had been experiencing a nightmare in Luanda trying to get a new flight. He had been put up by TAAG in a hotel, but he implied that calling it a hotel was not exactly an accurate description. Before I got to finish my conversation was when I lost my last free internet option.

We boarded the very full plane so an empty seat next to me was not an option. A Russian woman sat down next to me. We did not talk much as communication wasn't easy.

I watched several TED talks and I really enjoyed the movie The Way Way Back. I'm definitely finding long flights easier. Even though I don't sleep, I know how to exercise and move around just enough so that it's not excruciating.

Our box in use!

When we landed I remembered to put my phone in vibrate mode so that when I turned the internet on, the phone wouldn't beep for 30 minutes while I received all of the text messages, tweets and status updates. I had landed an hour early so David scrambled out of the radio station to come pick me up.

I moved through Immigration and Customs pretty quickly. David still beat me through since my temporarily downed baggage mojo made my bag one of the last to come out.

David, who is on a strike from trimming his beard or mustache until the Red Sox have been eliminated, was still a delight to see.

I am adjusting now to the time zone, to television shows that start on the hour and the half hour (instead of 20:39); and hearing English wherever I go. It makes me appreciate being home and I appreciate having had the opportunity to travel and explore and meet so many wonderful people.