The Ash Cloud

For the record, The Ash Cloud is now a proper noun, and should be capitalized as such. It can also be used as a verb as in "I was ashclouded for the second time earlier this week." To be ashclouded is to be ridiculously delayed at the airport, generally on a cloudless day with sunny blue skies, suffering annoying changes to your flight schedule. On the positive side, being ashclouded often results in meeting interesting people who comiserate with you in the midst of seeminly un-ending airport delays.

While I was, unfortunately ashclouded en route to Jordan this week, I am more concerned about being ashclouded again on my way to London tomorrow. Earlier today I heard the airport in Jordan announcing that flights coming in from Europe were delayed, but I have yet to ascertain if this was due to the return of (now a proper noun).... The Ash Cloud.

When I love the Euro

Between meetings this afternoon, and after an hour or so of enjoying the arid climate and the presence of the sun, it was time to catch up on my travel arrangements for the coming week. Next week I am visiting a customer in Yemen--yes, Yemen--Funeral arrangements have yet to be made, but will be provided in a later post--and needed to make my hotel reservations.

The Taj Sheba had come to me as a highly recommended hotel, less prone to bombings and other unnecessary hassles. I called them to make my reservations via Skype--I try to avoid roaming as much as possible. The rates were reasonable. Seeing, however, as I'm going to Yemen, I thought I would opt to see if airport pick-up was available. As a seasoned road warrior I rarely opt for airport pickup, as a man I often refuse to ask for directions, opting instead to rely on celestial navigation. For the most part it works.

Me: "Is it also possible to arrange airport pick-up and drop off?
Hotel: "Yes. But sir, it is an additional 4,000 Yemeni Riyals each way."
Me: "Well, How much is that in Euros?
Hotel: "Hmmm, (sound of caluclator clicking)..... 15 Euros.
Me: "15 or 50"
Hotel: "15 Euros sir...one five. about twenty dollars"

Fantasitc.

The Second Time Around

This is the second time around.
I've tried blogging before, and enjoy reading several, most notably ThishiT written by my palendrome loving college friend ErinirE (you can read her vastly superior blog at www.erinire.net). I've tried before to no avail.
But sitting here in Queen Allia International Airport in Amman, Jordan it occurs to me that:

• I lead a somewhat interesting life
• I travel frequently and often see things "that make you go hmmm", or at least make me laugh
• And frequently find myself sitting in airports waiting for the next flight (sometimes, and sometimes not courtesy of the Ash Cloud.

So I'll start today with three brief posts...just to provide a sense of momentum. and hopefully as my crazy itinerary progresses, there will be more to follow. In any case, I'll give you, dear reader, that link one more time.... it's www.erinire.net when faced wsith a shortage of posts to read, I would start there.

--- Amman, Jordan