36 Hours and Going Strong

17-Oct-05
8:54 PM

(Sunrise in Frankfurt)

It’s been a hectic weekend. Tons of travel starting with CT to MN, non-stop action with Libby’s wedding and hanging out with the Crew. Woke up this morning around 8:30 AM CST to meet my parents and uncle. Finished packing then headed to MSP en route to Florence.

I love traveling, especially the airports. So many people, so many stories. I could people watch all day. Still felt the pressure of the pilot like a linebacker on my shoulders. I already feel disconnected without Internet access or my cell phone.

It still hasn’t hit me that I am now in Italy for my pilot. I’ve lived a surreal life for the past 14 months and still have yet to stop and smell the roses. Thank God for my iPod…music makes my world go round.

The view from the Frankfurt to Florence was absolutely breath taking. Be sure to check the pictures. The mountains peak above the clouds, even at an altitude of 20+K”. Like John Mayer says, “And strange, how clouds that look like, mountains in the sky, next to mountains anyway.” At first I couldn’t tell whether they were clouds or snow, but definitely the former.

Surprisingly enough, customs was very easy here. Took all but 30 seconds to get through the gate and enter a world away from my comfort zone. I’m still a little upset that I didn’t go to KC for my pilot, but definitely worth the sacrifice.

Arrived to the office around 10:30 AM. First thing I noticed was the men’s room. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” was the only thought that popped into my mind. Even worse than the Philippines, at least they had toilet bowls in the stalls. That’s right, you heard it here. It’s just a hole in the ground that you drop your ones and twos. I had to go BAD with all the nasty airline food I ate.

The flight was horrible. I hate overnight flights, but traveling to Europe is definitely easier on the jet lag than traveling to Asia. It took me over a week to adjust to the Philippines time zone. Here, I can stay up the whole time and crash hard by 9:30, which will give me ample time to rest well.

Work was work. They took it easy on me being my first day and all. Looking to get my ass handed to me later this week and for the next month. In my book, it’s worth it.

I actually ran into a former LDP at MSP. She and her husband both worked for GE in separate leadership programs, and their first reaction to my news of me piloting for CAS was not inviting. I think it was something to the extent of a sarcastic chuckle and an even more condescending “Good luck.” Whatever. I’ll never see you again.

I’m a bit worried since a.) my phone doesn’t work here and b.) there’s no alarm clock in my room. I guess I can ask for a wake up call, but everyone’ knows of my tendency to hit the snooze alarm a few times in the morning.

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