Scott's African Adventure

Day 15

Yeah there is a day 15. When I last made an entry I was waiting to leave the hotel and head to the airport. I found out that I was suppose to check out at 0800 NOT at 1800. They didn't like that very much. So I had to pay for a half day. I guess it is yet another unexpected expense to put on the expense form. I thought I was done with all that.

Anyways, I was whisked through security faster than I have ever been. I still can't believe it. Made me take off my belt, but didn't blink at my bag with 2 computers and a projector! I would think they would have really checked a US Inbound flight. Ah well.

This whole time I have been here I have been wondering about the really nice couple I met on my flight to Addis. The people from Iowa who were going to Nairobi to adopt a little boy named Cooper. I have seen many of these families over the last few weeks. I also wonder what they were thinking about the super cold temps in Iowa. Anyways, as I topped the steps in the international terminal....there they were! It was such a nice surprise to see them again. They have had a long couple of weeks I guess. Mostly paperwork issues, but here they are, on there way to Iowa with a cute little guy named Cooper. Nice people!

So I forgot about this business class stuff. I was given a pass to “The Lounge”. everything I could need for a 3 hour sit till departure.

I will write more when I get to Dullas.

scty

The flight stayed about an hour late all night. I was seated next to a total prick. And an Indian couple across the isle from me were not very pleasant either. The captains family was on board. I must say, they received a lot of attention from the flight crew, and the little boy, 5 or 6, made frequent visits to the flight deck during the flight. very strange. I knew the captain too. I had met him while I was at the “club”. Other wise it was an easy 19 hours. I watched Harry Potter twice, and some Christmas movie with Vince Vaghn. The food was ok, but the wine gave me a terrible head ache. I had met a really nice couple from DC who travel all over the world. They were just ending the 8^th visit to Africa. Really nice people.

I got to Dulles and I must admit, I got a really excited when I saw StarBucks. It was so damn good. Anyways, I got a window seat, but could not check my bag until 4 hours prior to departure, so that means that me and my big bag have to hang out in the main terminal until around 1300.

I got to talk to Ang and the kids for a sec. Still pretty early there. It's good to be back. I am just waiting for the jet lag to catch up. In a few hours it is going to be getting late for my body. I really want o stay up, but I just don't think I will be able to. More Starbucks? Hmmm.

Posted by Scott at 10:18 PM | Permalink

Day 14

I woke up this morning at 0700. Not really sleeping “in” for the first day in about 30 it seems, but I had a feeling the front desk would call to tell me “the driver was waiting”. Yup at 0740 the phone rang and it was my driver.

“Captain Scott. I am here....on time today! It's good no?”

He didn't understand yesterday when I told him to NOT pick me up.

Interesting day though. I took my time. I pigged out on Bar food last night. It was gooood. I slept pretty good, and then the day has been filled with the most amazing thing! Huge thunder storms. It's really cool. Lots of thunder and lightning.

I had tons of fun shopping. I really didn't buy anything with any one person in mind....or at least I can't tell you that hear....I have a following ya know. Anyways it was cool. I screwed up on only one transaction. Zak and Ellie T-shirts. I didn't look and just handed the girl my card...$50! Ouch. they are cool, but holy buckets. Everything else was a pretty good deal. Everything but Gary and Robyn's Christmas present. Holy buckets of African rain water was it hard to find and bloody expensive. Damn near broke the bank. All this work and .000001% of my pay has to go to the In-Laws Christmas gift. Damn! Love you guys! Can't wait to see you next week!!

I sent off a bunch of frantic e-mails to Ang about little things that I can't do while I am half way around the world, but that need to get done. I will be so good to turn on my phone in 24 hours and connect......all I want to do is connect!

Ok, Gotta go check out.

Love you all

scty

Posted by Scott at 06:46 AM | Permalink

Day 13

Last day. At least I think. I am doing Cockpit Procedures training today with crews. This mean an FO and Capt. I have worked with the Fo's in the CPT, but today its both. Should be easy and fast.

I officially said yes to the next training event. I thought about it and decided that I really only wanted to do the short program again. Hopefully with some time off next time. Someone else will do the first part of each group. i will do he same as I am doing now.

DONE!!

I made it through the day. Even my troubled kid showed some improvement. So I put in about 6 hours extra with him. We will see.

On the way home tonight I was treated to an unusual sight. An African thunderstorm! Very cool, but it has put a really weird smell in the air. Like all the dirt has been disturbed and the once resting smell has been awoken.

I have been hanging out with a couple of Bombardier guys for the last couple of days. I climbed into the car as they were talking about the Q400. they didn't know who I was, so it was an entertaining listen. After awhile I had to let them know who I was. It was funny. They were really interested in the fact that not only I was there to teach the ET pilots on there airplane, but that I have been flying this airplane since it's inception. They had as much questions for me as I had for them. It seems I have met a lot of people who are in this city doing almost the same kind of work.

well, I am going to post this for Day 13.

Take care all and far well Africa! (see you in two months)

Posted by Scott at 06:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Day 11

Again, I awoke to the haunting sounds of some “holy man” cleansing his soul while wailing into an old scratchy PA system. It is coming from some place in the city. Possibly near the top of a hill close to the hotel. It seems to be always the same sad chant or song or scream or what ever the heck it is. The walls are pretty thin..as you know..so I can hear this guy every morning starting around 0500. At least the street dogs stop there constant howling and barking to listen to the story that this guys is trying to tell.

My daily ritual is pretty much the same everyday. I have given up on the “in room” internet. It is just too darn slow, and I only get about 2 hours use of it anyways. I might have to wait and upload more pictures later. Instead I use the “one hour” at a time wireless. It is faster and I can use it anywhere in the hotel. Like in the pub. It is good enough for me as I can't do much surfing anyhow. I log on, send and receive, and maybe chat with Ang and the kids a little bit. Not too bad.

I told my class that it was -5 degrees(c) in Seattle this morning. They had a hard time with that. Then I realized that they will be in Toronto in February! Most of these guys have never seen snow or even frost!

I concluded today that I am so tired at the end of the day because it's a long day! 12 to be exact. No wonder I haven't had time to see anything other than the hotel.

I suppose I should get back to it. I went for a walk around the ET complex today. It was a nice 75 degrees (F). I got a lot of funny looks, and couldn't go into any secure areas, but it was a nice walk anyhow.

I talked to Ang and the kids again tonight. Boy does that make the difference. I could not do this if I didn't have that contact. Being alone here is the toughest part.

Well, I gotta run and wait for a call from my boss.

Good night for now

scty

Posted by Scott at 06:36 AM | Permalink

Day 12

Boeing. All around the city and the ET complex there are stickers about the “coming” of the 787. ET will be the first African airline to get the new airplane. The funny thing is that all the stickers and posters and billboards have the arrival date of 2008! Too funny!

When I first started thinking about coming to Ethiopia, I did some searching on the web about this airline. They had a pretty good history. Only one crash. It was the 767 that crashed in the water when some hijackers threatened the a bomb. Well, I have gotten the skinny! I will try and link the YouTube video here so you can see it.

Ok, can't get You Tube to hook up, I will link it later

The Captain and First Officer are still around and flying for ET. I might have even met them and not have known it. The captain has been hijacked 4 times! In this case, some passengers were drunk, and had a bottle of booze in a paper bag that they threatened faked a a bomb. They wanted the pilots to fly to Australia. They ran out of gas and crash landed in the water of an island. I am no sure where. The pilots survived but many people did not. The captain pleaded with the passengers to try and stop the hijackers. The only person who stepped up was a handicapped person.

I watched a little bit of Monday Night Football......this morning. Kinda funny.

Christmas decorations are popping up all over. I haven't even thought about that. It will be a busy couple of days when I get home before we head to Boise.

I have been officially asked to come back for the next group. They would like me to come for a month and teach the entire class, not just the stuff of these two weeks. It is tempting, but I would have to leave around the 5^th of February and come home the first week of March. I would also need a few days extra to go to Toronto for some training for myself. Despite what I think......I don't know it all.

I worked an hour at lunch with my one “problem child”. He is one of those guys that when I tell them “you need to know this”...he didn't believe me. So, a couple of days later, he doesn't know it! Well, we had a heart to heart about how he should study, and now I think he realizes that he needs to step up and spend some time studying. Hopefully he can pull it together so I won't have to work with him on Friday. I could really use a day off.

The power keeps going out at the airport. Nobody seems to be bothered, so it must be a normal thing.

Tonight I am going to sit down and complete all the paperwork that I need to do for this trip. There is plenty.

Oh yeah, the driver never showed this morning. The security guy called them for me. But instead of “my guy” who looks after “just me”, I had to ride with a bunch of other guys. This sounds like I am being a jerk about it, but these drivers don't plan there stops very well, and we end up going all over the place before I get to Operations. Late! Ah well, it all worked out.

The guys gave me a hard time.

Tonight my stomach is messed up. Maybe all the peanuts from the bar.

Bye for now

scty 

Posted by Scott at 07:26 AM | Permalink

Day 10

Last Sunday the driver didn't show. We found out later that he didn't think there was any training on Sunday. Well, the same darn thing happened today. And again, there was ab ET shuttle headed to the airport. It was crowded, so I got to feel the push and shove of tons of people crammed onto a small bus.......not chickens though.

I suppose I should clarify that “ET” is the ID for Ethiopian Airlines.....not extra terrestrial!

I was sitting in the Gazebo pub tonight and I figured something out. “Holy schnitzel(shit), I am in Africa! Sorry mom for the reference to weaner's, but I watched people for 3 beers and only spotted 2 westerners! Thats when I smacked myself in the head and figured that I am really here! I met a couple from Germany who were motor cycling all of Africa. Sounds really cool to me.

Anyhooo, today was tough. I was teaching the FO's flows and checklists in a mock cockpit. Three of the guys are pretty good. They can actually grasp what they are getting into, but one kid is really having a tough time. I am probably gonna have to work on my day off with this kid to try and help him out. I am not sure it will help, but I gotta try.

I think I will sign off for now. I am going to watch some Discovery Channel re runs and hit the sack. Not a real sack......more like a cement driveway that has been peed on by the dog all summer.......sorry honey I am going to use all of the cool bedding mist I got for you in Washington DC. It will mask some of the room odor.

Oh yeah, I found out last night that the room walls are VERY thin. Earplugs barely silenced the Asian couple's honeymoon last night.

Reminded me of cheap motel in Lake Tahoe Bill! hahheehehe.

scty

Posted by Scott at 07:15 AM | Permalink

Day 9

I started to worry about my room bill today. I have been told that it is easiest to just put everything on the room charge and settle up when I check out. The problem is that I will have no idea if it is correct or not. I did a rough estimate of what I think it will be up to today, and what it will be by the time I check out on Friday. I have not been spending my cash on anything, so I plan on paying most of the room bill with that. I am not sure I could win an argument on the amount of my bill or even how to argue. I stood in line this morning behind several people who had “room charge” related problems, it didn't look like it was an easy argument and they were African! I think I might ask to see my charges so far. I only hope that they don't think I want to check out.

I have forgotten to mention a funny thing that happens in the car. The radio does not get turned down for any conversation. Some African talk show will be playing through the terrible speakers and the driver will insist on telling some story about something. You really have no choice but to listen....wouldn't want to piss off the guy while he is driving like a crazed camel!

But you simply can't hear a word he says. I can only really know that I am suppose to respond because he stops talking and looks at me.......while he is driving! So, to get his attention back on the road that he is driving down the middle of, I answer “Eshi......Eshi” ..nod and listen for another moment or two. The dispatcher may call and you would think that he would turn down the talk show but no, he just repeatedly shouts into the radio.......”Eshi.....Eshi.....ESHI...Captain Scot John......from da HEELTON......ESHI”....

For some reason ever since I have checked into Africa, I am known as Captain Scott John.

I showed the guys today a picture of Ghost. It is a good thing I didn't project a 6 foot picture of Ang and the kids, because seeing my beloved home was enough to make me really miss home. I had a heck of a time explaining to these people of a completely land locked country that I lived on this boat. They made me promise to bring in more pictures of Ghost. the problem is that it is a really bad connection for everything except the wireless in the lobby.

I checked on cigars today for Rich....No luck! All they have is imported cigars. Probably still good, but the lady could not tell me where they were from so I am going to have to skip that idea. I think I will try and get some wine. I am not sure where yet, but I will look and see.

My room has a scale. I have lost a few pounds. I am not sure how many cause the darn thing is in some measurement I can't understand. all I know is that when I got here it said I weighed 16, and now I weigh 14. At least it is in the right direction.

Got to talk to Ang last night. Zak was not feeling good, so I think he was going to stay home from school. Wish I was there to help out. Only one week!

I went down and had a burger and a beer. While I was there I was on the wireless internet. I had a nice conversation with Ang. I realized that the connection was really good, so I may have to do that more often. Anyways, a good end to an ok day.

tata

Posted by Scott at 07:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Day 8 12/04/09

Ahhh, This is much better. I have started a simple routine. Breakfast is simple, but I sneak a few things into my bag for lunch. Nothing more than some fruit, yogurt, and maybe a croissant.

My driver never showed this morning, but it is almost expected, because Jonathan left, so the schedule change might have screwed things up. It makes me a little nervous to not really have a contact. There is a ET Office in the hotel, so I would be able to ask them to call a ride for me. I ended up loading onto an airport shuttle that was able to take me to operations.

Pretty quiet at this huge uncontroled intersection

This was the start of a new class. I have met most of these guys before today, because Jonathan and I were teaching overlapping classes. Now I will finish them up.

Now I have an hour to eat my little lunch and do some administrative work that I would normally have to do back at the room. I am going to buy 24 hours of “in room” internet tonight, so I will be able to load all the pictures I hope. We will see.

Night night

scty

Posted by Scott at 08:15 PM | Permalink

Day 7 12/03/09

Today I finish the group one training class as it has been called. Tomorrow I will start in with group two. If all goes well, I will have next Friday off and can spend the whole day chillin. My flight leaves at 2215 Friday night. I get to Wash Dullas around 0730, then sit all day until my 1700 flight on United to Seattle. I will get home around 2100.

I went down stairs and had the “continental breakfast” today. This was only about 164 birr, so about $12. It is much better. I had raisin bran, pancakes, french toast, coffee and juice. Mostly I just sampled, but it's cheaper and much better. The milk tastes funny here. I then realized that it's FRESH milk. Probably from the goats. I am thinking that I might have to be careful of the “non-pasteurized” milk.

Today the weather is clear and sunny. Should be a nice day. Tomorrow Jonathan leaves for Nairobi. I will be on my own. I think tonight I will go for a walk and try out the sauna. There is still a chill in the air.

I asked one of my students to take me to a store today, so I could be a few things. He took me to a mall. It had a large store where I was able to buy a few snacks and things I had needed. Then we walked around the store a little bit and found a few snacks. The best of it was dill pickle flavored pringles. I bought a few beers too.

There was some wheeling and dealing done today. I guess ET really wants FP to do ALL the training until they are able to get there own sim and instructors. about a year from now. The hard thing is that I feel like I am committed to these three sessions. I can't really say how I feel about the prospect of more of a commitment. I think I could do the sim training ok in Stockholm, but I am not too sure about coming down here to fly. All this teaching has really given me knowledge of the area, and that wouldn't too tough, but flying is a totally different deal. I would really have to think that through. Delivery would a cool thing. Imagine flying from Toronto to Iceland to England to Greece to Africa. Wouldn't that be cool! We will have to see. Sweden would be in July and that is a hard time for me. Delivery flight would be all spring. And a year from now. ET would be self sustaining as a Q400 operator. That would be mission accomplished. It would be quite an accomplishment to see this through for a year.

I remembered today that almost all of my best memories in life, were absolute HELL at the time that they occurred. But, I look back at those moments in life with a smile, sometimes a tear, or even a chuckle, and I realized that I would not exchange any of them for anything. Is there a lesson in there somewhere? I think so. This really hasn't been that tough, and it is good for me to feel a little discomfort once in a while. Admittedly, my life is pretty darn easy.

I am flying solo down here now as Jonathan has taken off to Nairobi. I am not worried. I know what I have to do, and I can deliver.

Bye bye for now

scty

Posted by Scott at 08:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Day 6

Well, it looks like Jonathan has to fly to Nyrobi(sp) tomorrow, so I am going to be teaching his class on Friday and Saturday. So, this means I get no day off. This is kind of a bummer, but I said yes before I really thought it through.

I made a small discovery this morning. I realized that I need to make this adventure more interesting. So I am going to do more fun things when I get done with the day. I have always been one who is ok with closing the hotel door and relaxing the evening away. But I think it will do me good to go down and sit in the pub, have a couple beers and relax.

I am still getting up way too early. This means I am pretty pooped by the end of the day. Tonight will be a chance for me to test this theory and see if I sleep a bit later. I need to get into some kind of comfort zone. I don't really feel scared or anxious, just out of control. No cell phone to call for help, no little hugs and kisses at the end of the day......no comfort food. Thats the big one I think. I am use to going a few days with out the XXXX's and OOOOO's, but I have always had the ability to get a snack when I want.

The altitude has more of an effect than I thought. I can really feel it sometimes. It's good for me I suppose.

TV is a huge plus. discovery channel is awesome. The shows are the same but with an African twist. All of the shows are re-runs, but with African hosts and still good.

Ok, so in keeping with the idea that I would relax and enjoy this a bit more, I treated myself to breakfast. It was a buffet style, and it wasn't too bad. 210 birr which equals close to $20 bucks, but I won't do that every day. It was nice.

I forgot to mention that while I am teaching, we re continuously being brought coffee and pastries. The coffee is super strong. A little packet of sugar here is about 3 times the size as in the US.,...these people like lots of sugar in there coffee. I usually drink my coffee black, but I can't do that with this tasty sludge!

These guys that I am teaching are really cool. They are a mixture of Muslims and Christians. They get a kick out of trying to explain there customs to me. Still can't figure it all out but they are not bothered by my questions. It's easy to ask them things I don't know. For example...we easily shake hands, but since Ethiopians use there right hand for eating, they grab the wrist and do sort of a light chest bump as a greeting. I don't think I qualify for the chest bump yet, but thats ok. It's also ok if they don't do there prayer at 1600 every day...that can do it early or later. I asked them this because of there flying during the times of prayer.

Today was the best day yet. I wrote the above this morning while I was waiting for our driver. By product of getting up soo early. Today I was teaching Cockpit Procedures to the new FO's. They are so eager for knowledge it is easy to teach them. They are going to have a hard time. These are guys that have flown nothing more than a Cessna 172, with just a little bit of light twin time thrown in. By comparison, I had 5000 hours and 10 years of flying when I got my first airline job. These guys have around 250 hours and are about to fly one of the most automated advanced turbo-props flying today.

I am not sure how to take what has been happening these last few days. I met the CEO today. He sat me down and asked me some questions about the Q400 that I wasn't really ready to answer. The fact that the CEO of the largest African airline wanted my advise was a bit weird. I did my best, but probably wasn't much help.

I got my pizza for lunch. It was ok, but mostly it was so much better than fish......again.

I turned the corner today, and feel pretty good about all this. a lot has to do with comfort level.   am always soo darn careful to stay within that delicate bubble. It is hard when I feel so out of place.

I commented to a student today about the security. There is so much....Everywhere! Yet I see nothing that makes me feel “insecure”. He explained that it is because of the tension with Somalia. Yeah....no shit! There is a constant civil war with those folks. But these people go on every day. They are happy and hard working. There is new construction everywhere you look. Some of the strangest things happening on a construction site. I will try and take some pictures of the scaffolding tomorrow. I am having issues with my little computer and the picture upload so be patient.

Well, unless something really strange happens, I am going to end the entry for today.

Love and miss you all

scty

Posted by Scott at 08:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Day 5

Best day yet. I am sleeping better....longer. I know what to expect on the rides to and from the airport, so there are less surprises. I was actually looking forward to fish for lunch. I even got catchup with my fries today.

I am going to have our driver take us to a store tomorrow so I can stock up on some food for my room.

I got to talk to Ang twice today. That is always a highlight. I am planning on another skype visit on Friday/Saturday.

I got to meet a bunch of people from the UN today. That was pretty cool. they ride around in the tricked out SUV's with UN stickers on them. They always have an armed escort. They must be doing some interesting work.

More later

scty

Posted by Scott at 07:25 PM | Permalink

Day 4 Monday

The city is very busy today. Much different from yesterday. The teaching was easy again. A couple of the guys are really quiet, but the answer my questions with ease and ask me to explain things they don't have clear. It is going better than I thought it would.

Today was the hardest. I have figured out that it is mostly the ride to and from the airport that makes it tough. I don't feel very good by the time we get to the hotel or airport. The disfigured people begging for money at every intersection rattle the nerves a little bit.

The weather has been cold. No higher than 60 and rain. Whats up with that?

Anyways, I will try and put some pictures tomorrow morning. My internet is really limited.

I got to talk to Ang and the kids and that was the best thing. I can make it through anything after getting a recharge from them.

Bye for now

scty

Posted by Scott at 07:23 PM | Permalink