The all-to-familiar ache is back in my heart. This time it isn't as hard. I think that it is harder to be left than it is to leave. When you're leaving you have so many things to think about. Getting to the airport, getting checked in, making sure everything is in place. I wont rest easy until I'm on the ground in Houston and my trusted friend Sam comes to the airport to pick me up.
I know what people mean when they say that they are travel weary. I am travel weary. I'm ready to be in my home, in my bed, in my apartment. DSL and all. I hope things work out for UH. I sincerely hope I do well. We are going to start are approach to San Juan soon. I feel so confident now, I know how to do this go get my bags, go through customs and get my taxi to my hotel. I must contact the Ramada and see if they have my ring.
We're changing direction, this flight seems so short, shorter everytime I take it. I think I'm gonna chill out and watch Family Guy until I have to put my computer up.
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Sunday, October 12, 2003
In Dominica
Well my stay is more than half over and I have already begun to make preparations for my trip back home. I cancelled my reservation at the Mango Inn and made a reservation at the Hilton. It was a good rate $130.00 a night. It will be worth it to stay there. I need a comfortable place to sleep. I did not get any rest at all at the Mango in. Hopefully this time I will have more time to capture some pictures of San Juan. So what are my thoughts on Dominica?
Dominica is a nice place. I will visit here as long as John is here, and I am starting to get used to it now. I think that my diet would consist mostly of pizza if I lived here, it is the only food that I have found that I like. Nothing taste American and the chicken always has gristle in it. I always find myself having to spit pieces out.
I think it best if write down a brief list of my activities since I arrived at the airport. Well, just before we arrived.
The approach is one of the scariest I've been on in a long time. We come in through the mountains and at times we are so close to the mountain sides that it looks like we will touch them. It was a scary landing. Our pilot was skilled and did a good job getting us on the ground safely. Once we landed we filed off the plane and into the smallest airport I've ever been in. Smaller than Clover Field in Pearland. This place was tiney. The Customs office consisted of two make shift desks where two men sat and stamped Passports. I was asked questions and quickly learned that the Dominican people speak very quietly and very very very fast. I instantly wanted to be an American and tell him that he was speaking to softly but I thought "wait, I need to remember I'm a guest here" so told him "I'm American and I'm sure you know we're all very hard of hearing cause we spend so much time yelling at each other, could you help me and speak louder, I do apologize."
The Customs officer smiled at me and spoke up and spoke slowly. Then I had to go through the same thing with the gentleman that was checking my bags. Yes, all my bags were searched. He wanted to know if I was bringing anything as a gift. Chuckle, I knew this routine I said nothing was a gift, although I was bringing some personal items for a student at Ross University. Once I finished that I walked out and found John waiting for me. We headed to the transport that was waiting for us. There were a total of 9 of us in the transport. The ride reminded of me a dear camp. It took one hour and was a bumpy, twisty, turning ride through the jungle. Often with shear cliffs directly to the off side of the road. We got to his hotel and settled with the driver and made arrangements for a trip on Saturday for a tour of the island. We walked to John's hotel room and I put all my stuff down. We had time together and then went and toured his school. It is a small place. Smaller than ACC, well smaller than any school campus I think I've ever been on. The campus just doesn't look like a professional school. When you step into the interiors you see what it is like. It is very nice on the inside. We then went to the Seaside restaurant (the on campus eatery) and had some lunch. The sun was so direct it was sweltering. We walked under an umbrella and I enjoyed seeing the campus. After that we went back home and got ready for dinner. We joined Mihn and Tom at Brother's Chinese food. I didn't like the dish a got. A strange thing about the soft drinks here. They don't have diet anything and they are all in large glass bottles. Interesting. After dinner we went to James Store where I found out that I know James, met him on the plane. We went home and slept. Saturday was filled with sight seeing on the island. Back to Melville Hall (the airport) and on to the Emerald Pool where we swam in crystal clear water. Then to Roseau where we had Americanized food and the Garaway Hotel on the dock where cruise ships come in. We then went and saw the President's house (no larger than my parent's home which is large for Dominica) we then went to the state park and back home where I was ready to be. John and I rested, went for pizza (which we ate on a peer). The waves here are strange. In Galveston the waves are a continuous roar. Here they are very staccato. A quick brake, and then a small ripple and seconds pass before you hear the next one.
Today was filled with laziness, I didn't leave the house until I went for dinner. I'm starting to feel comfortable with traveling on my own. I think if John's brother were to visit I would take him so that he wouldn't have trouble. Tomorrow I make my arrangements to get back to the airport on Tuesday. Part of me is ready to get back to Houston. Back home. Back to my place. I must remember to ask the Ramada when I arrive in Puerto Rico about my ring. If not I will buy another one.
Dominica is a nice place. I will visit here as long as John is here, and I am starting to get used to it now. I think that my diet would consist mostly of pizza if I lived here, it is the only food that I have found that I like. Nothing taste American and the chicken always has gristle in it. I always find myself having to spit pieces out.
I think it best if write down a brief list of my activities since I arrived at the airport. Well, just before we arrived.
The approach is one of the scariest I've been on in a long time. We come in through the mountains and at times we are so close to the mountain sides that it looks like we will touch them. It was a scary landing. Our pilot was skilled and did a good job getting us on the ground safely. Once we landed we filed off the plane and into the smallest airport I've ever been in. Smaller than Clover Field in Pearland. This place was tiney. The Customs office consisted of two make shift desks where two men sat and stamped Passports. I was asked questions and quickly learned that the Dominican people speak very quietly and very very very fast. I instantly wanted to be an American and tell him that he was speaking to softly but I thought "wait, I need to remember I'm a guest here" so told him "I'm American and I'm sure you know we're all very hard of hearing cause we spend so much time yelling at each other, could you help me and speak louder, I do apologize."
The Customs officer smiled at me and spoke up and spoke slowly. Then I had to go through the same thing with the gentleman that was checking my bags. Yes, all my bags were searched. He wanted to know if I was bringing anything as a gift. Chuckle, I knew this routine I said nothing was a gift, although I was bringing some personal items for a student at Ross University. Once I finished that I walked out and found John waiting for me. We headed to the transport that was waiting for us. There were a total of 9 of us in the transport. The ride reminded of me a dear camp. It took one hour and was a bumpy, twisty, turning ride through the jungle. Often with shear cliffs directly to the off side of the road. We got to his hotel and settled with the driver and made arrangements for a trip on Saturday for a tour of the island. We walked to John's hotel room and I put all my stuff down. We had time together and then went and toured his school. It is a small place. Smaller than ACC, well smaller than any school campus I think I've ever been on. The campus just doesn't look like a professional school. When you step into the interiors you see what it is like. It is very nice on the inside. We then went to the Seaside restaurant (the on campus eatery) and had some lunch. The sun was so direct it was sweltering. We walked under an umbrella and I enjoyed seeing the campus. After that we went back home and got ready for dinner. We joined Mihn and Tom at Brother's Chinese food. I didn't like the dish a got. A strange thing about the soft drinks here. They don't have diet anything and they are all in large glass bottles. Interesting. After dinner we went to James Store where I found out that I know James, met him on the plane. We went home and slept. Saturday was filled with sight seeing on the island. Back to Melville Hall (the airport) and on to the Emerald Pool where we swam in crystal clear water. Then to Roseau where we had Americanized food and the Garaway Hotel on the dock where cruise ships come in. We then went and saw the President's house (no larger than my parent's home which is large for Dominica) we then went to the state park and back home where I was ready to be. John and I rested, went for pizza (which we ate on a peer). The waves here are strange. In Galveston the waves are a continuous roar. Here they are very staccato. A quick brake, and then a small ripple and seconds pass before you hear the next one.
Today was filled with laziness, I didn't leave the house until I went for dinner. I'm starting to feel comfortable with traveling on my own. I think if John's brother were to visit I would take him so that he wouldn't have trouble. Tomorrow I make my arrangements to get back to the airport on Tuesday. Part of me is ready to get back to Houston. Back home. Back to my place. I must remember to ask the Ramada when I arrive in Puerto Rico about my ring. If not I will buy another one.
Friday, October 10, 2003
Well it was still raining last night and I decided to read a book. I fell asleep around 1 or 2 I guess and was up at 4:30 a.m. to catch my flight to Dominica. The weather looks more promising today as we get closer. We still have about 1 hour left in our trip. The clouds are starting to thicken up some what, but we can still see the sun and intermittent views of the ocean below. A strange thing about the water here, it is very calm. Almost like glass. If I were to wake up and look out the window not knowing where I was I would assume that I was over a lake or some other land-bound mass of water. However, we are indeed in the Caribbean where islands dot the water. Different from home where water dots the land. All of the airports have runways that extend into the ocean and it is very scary flying here. I have a good feeling about this flight, I think this time we're going to make it. I sure hope so. If they can't land the plane in this weather I don't know how flights ever make it. Evidently there were windows of opportunity to land yesterday, however, being on the ground in Guadalupe didn't help the situation. So far we have had a smooth flight with relatively few bumps and bounces. I hear that the approach to Dominica is scary. If we are going to get in around 9:00 or 9:15 we'll start our descent soon. Much of the airplane is worn out. We are all weary of travel. I have spent three days, and 2 nights in transit. Unexpected stay in San Juan proved relaxing. As the waves crashing against San Juan Beach gently rocked my weary, stressed out mind and wounded, heart, void of hopeful expectations to peace and allowed me to sleep. Although the weather outside was humid, the breeze was much nicer so I slept with the windows open. It was pleasant.
They have just begun to nose down slightly. I think we're heading back down. I can remember when I first flew I thought "we'll we're going to land soon." Infact the decent can take 1 hour to get down to approach alititude.
I keep looking out the window so I can see the cloud cover. It looks good right now. Better than yesterday. We were flying shrouded in clouds yesterday and the trip back home was one of the roughest I've been on since my 2nd Seattle trip. Boredom has consumed me, I may write more later. Engines slowing, we are reducing speed.
They have just begun to nose down slightly. I think we're heading back down. I can remember when I first flew I thought "we'll we're going to land soon." Infact the decent can take 1 hour to get down to approach alititude.
I keep looking out the window so I can see the cloud cover. It looks good right now. Better than yesterday. We were flying shrouded in clouds yesterday and the trip back home was one of the roughest I've been on since my 2nd Seattle trip. Boredom has consumed me, I may write more later. Engines slowing, we are reducing speed.
Back in San Juan
My windows are both opened and the sounds of the waves gently brushing the shore are filling my spacious room. The gentle wooosh of the waves is starting to rock my mind to sleep. I also have my .mp3 player set to Classical and I'm sitting at a desk drinking a glass of water. It is still raining outside here. John spoke to me and said it was clear there.
Jeebus, it's 1:02 a.m. I'm sitting here awake, cause I can't sleep. I might walk down to the beach just to stand there. This is so relaxing. If I had to end up somewhere, I'm glad that it's here. I have to be up at 4:30 a.m. to get to the airport in time to once again check in. This process is sucks. Same old song and dance shoes off, laptop out. Ugg Ugg Ugg. I'm going to stick my head out and see if it is still raining if not, I'm going to wander to the beach I need to walk. I may write more when I get back. Such a beautiful sound the waves make.
Jeebus, it's 1:02 a.m. I'm sitting here awake, cause I can't sleep. I might walk down to the beach just to stand there. This is so relaxing. If I had to end up somewhere, I'm glad that it's here. I have to be up at 4:30 a.m. to get to the airport in time to once again check in. This process is sucks. Same old song and dance shoes off, laptop out. Ugg Ugg Ugg. I'm going to stick my head out and see if it is still raining if not, I'm going to wander to the beach I need to walk. I may write more when I get back. Such a beautiful sound the waves make.
Thursday, October 9, 2003
This is the roughest flight that I've been on in a long time. Lots of sudden altitude drops and rises. That weightless feeling. The plane's engines struggling then growing quiet as the gusting winds shift. So along with a crappy day, I guess we're going to end it with "Ridin' the waves" back home. I don't get scared until the overhead compartments open up. Right now it seems to have smoothed out. Now our altitude is changing. We are climbing upward, probably to avoid more weather, and now slowing again. Changing almost as fast as I type. God I remember why I never liked these smaller planes. This is a part of my life that I'm ready to end. We are flying back to San Juan through a tropical storm. The very same system that brushed up against our destination and kept us from landing. The flight is very rough, luggage is falling out of the bins, one lady was hit on the head. I'm frightened. Thank you God for a safe trip thus far. Thank you that you love me. Thank You that I was able to get this far and for Your watch-care as I traipse about the West Indies, French Antilles, and British Lee wards.
The plane is making noises that I am not sure are normal. Lot's of creaking and banging. At times it seems the engines will die. We have been instructed to remain in our seats, you really can't walk around because the plane is pitching and rolling so violently.
We are starting to ride the waves now. More bumps, but not so many rises and falls. Looks like we will either stay at the Embassy or the Marriot. I'm going to watch TV until we get back to San Juan. I'll add more once I get into my room.
The plane is making noises that I am not sure are normal. Lot's of creaking and banging. At times it seems the engines will die. We have been instructed to remain in our seats, you really can't walk around because the plane is pitching and rolling so violently.
We are starting to ride the waves now. More bumps, but not so many rises and falls. Looks like we will either stay at the Embassy or the Marriot. I'm going to watch TV until we get back to San Juan. I'll add more once I get into my room.
Our plane was unable to land in Dominica due to poor weather conditions. And let me express what I mean by poor weather conditions: Raining slightly. This is a major downer and it's no one's fault. I find myself concerned about hotels and money and food all over again. We couldn't even get off the plane. Guadalupe is a French Territory and there evidently some people aboard who were not allowed to get off of the plane. So the entire plane was quarantined. I had to sit on one of the most uncomfortable planes that I have been on in my entire life. I felt like a prisoner. We were instructed "do not leave this plane." The French Authorities were there to make sure we didn't. Maybe I'm over dramatic but, we couldn't leave the plane. I have never had an experience like this in all the years that I've flown. I will be staying the night in San Juan and will hopefully try again tomorrow. If I don't get there tomorrow I don't know what I'm going to do. I will wait until I get on the ground to see what AA is going to do for us. I expect to be put up in a hotel and receive some sort of compensation for the meals that I'm going to have to eat while I'm in San Juan for yet another night. I don't know what time we took off so I can't guess how long we've been in the air, but I imagine that we should be in San Juan bye 7:30 at the latest. There are some people on the plane that I've made friends with and if we all end up in the same hotel maybe we can get together. Even the people of Dominica are hacked off. I talked to a local today who gave me great insight. Right now, I just want to get off of this air plane. I want to be on the ground, I want to walk, and I want a comfortable AMERICAN like hotel where I can stay. I hope no one gets in my way at the airport. I hear that AA is pretty good about these things. Encouraging news, my new friend from Dominica fully expects this system to be moved out by the time we leave tomorrow, in-fact, he assumed that it would be gone today. However, it wasn't it seems to have lingered. If there are no hotel concessions I'm going to bunk up with some friends and we can split the cost of the room. About now the only thing that I fully expect is for AA to get us back tomorrow. I'm not much looking forward to going through all the rigga-ma-ro of getting through customs and airport security. This journal writing is really helping me. So is Debussy, and I'm about to call in Maler.
Over the sea
I'm bumping through the skies somewhere near Dominica. A few moments ago I felt the airplane begin its descent and we are starting to emerge from a cloud cover that has enveloped the plane for the past hour of this 1:45 minute flight. A man who I don't know walked up to me and said "are you Guy, I'm Tom" and walked away. I guess that I'll find out more about what that is about once I land on the ground. You can tell who the Dominician people are and those of us that are going to visit the Island. We just emerged from the clouds and I can see large Island below us. We are not yet low enough for it to Dominica. The flight is starting to get extremely choppy now. I'm sure they're going to ask me to stow my lap-top at any time. I didn't like Puerto Rico?it wasn't and isn't my final destination?so I guess I didn't give it a chance. It helps to immerse you into the life down here. Everybody takes their time. John warned me about this and so I've stayed relaxed most of the time. Got to go. we're landing.
San Juan, PR to Russea, CDM
My flight should start boarding any minute now, and I'm very excited as I prepare to go. This is the final destination. Sleep came with great difficulty last night as I was nervous and not at ease. I went to Burger King again for breakfast today. I haven't eaten anything yet, I just haven't had time. Oh well John has stuff at his place. I guess that I'll just starve. I need to check on my flight. I'll type more on the trip.
Wednesday, October 8, 2003
Houston to Dominica - 10/8/03
I decided to keep a journal of all my travel experiences that I have on this journey since there will be so many first. I have never traveled outside of the United States. And while I'm not literally outside of the United States (Puerto Rico is a territory of the U.S. Customs isn't required here and travel is as easy as traveling in the U.S). The only difference is here many people don't speak English and Spanish is every where. The Airport has Spanish first and English second. I went to Burger king and had to order in Spanish. The hotel guy speaks English?kind of. I was nervous about using my Spanish but I'm quickly remembering it. This wasn't as hard as I thought. Although I haven't made it back to the airport yet. I still have a flight to catch to Dominica. I will get up early tomorrow and walk over to the beach (across the No. 26) and take some pictures. I have to schedule my taxi ride back to the airport tomorrow and then I'm on my WAY. I'm glad that I scheduled this trip. I think I'm going to take some pictures of my room. One or two so people can see where I stayed. Probably early to bed as well. So that I can be up early tomorrow to go poke around. My flight was pretty uneventful. A married couple was beside me. She laid on him in fear during take off and landing. I had a scary moment. The plane has a screen that shows our progress and a location on the map. It told us we were going to San Jose lol. I got worried. Checked my ticket. It was funny to see that we had to fly around Cuba. This is an adventure. I'm enjoying it. The real adventure starts tomorrow. Traveling alone sucks. I'll clarify more later. Off to shower now.
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