The Long Starting Day
Trip Start
Nov 03, 2011
1
38
Trip End
Dec 10, 2011
Schenectady, New York
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Not much to say so far. I got through security and will fly to Chicago before going on to Brussels where I will meet Juliet. Then we go on to Kigali. It is supposed to be very beautiful...I am anxious to be on my way!
I tried to get my house cleaned before Kara picked me up at noon but it didn't really happen. I just managed to get the basics done and get showered & dressed before she came.
I had lunch at Albany International and found that my olives had spilled juice and I had to wash the plastic bag ...it was kind of messy. I finished up the cheese....partly so I could make more space in my carry-on stuff. The flight to Chicago was delayed and I boarded as soon as I got to the gate for the Brussels flight.
The man sitting next to me on the flight from Chicago to Brussels was very nice. He runs his own computer software business and has transferred to clients in Africa with the economic downturn here. He was returning to Monrovia, Liberia to complete a project tallying the votes for the upcoming presidential election run-off. We talked a bit about technology applications in Africa and he told me about the widespread use of mobile phone money transfers: people go to a mobile phone office, especially in the cities, and send relatives in the countryside some money. The relative goes to his/her mobile phone office and picks it up. What could be easier?? I can't remember all the other interesting observations he made...maybe I will remember some later.
It was a long day...or short night...but I got to sleep a little and then it was morning in Brussels.
