Thought I should probably give an update on Basil and his flying since that seems to be the reason we are over here! He is having an absolute ball! I'm up typing on the computer while he is sleeping. I thought I'd just stay up so I can make some breakfast or dinner or whatever when he wakes up to get ready. He takes off about 4 am and flys to Hong Kong. He'll stay there for 2 to 3 days and then be back. This should be his final training flight. If all checks out and the training captain signs him off, he'll fly his next flight as a full fledged Captain with Singapore Air Cargo! The training has been long and tedious, but good. He loves flying the 747 and going all over the place. Ok, to be perfectly honest - he doesn't love everywhere he's been to.
He was in Calcutta, India last week for 3 days. definitely not his cup of tea. He says the first thing that hits you is the smell. Next is the crazy taxi drivers and their driving. He got in while it was dark and said it was terrifying driving in from the airport to the hotel. Riding in a taxi in broad daylight did nothing to dispel the terror. In fact, he said that was almost worst because you could see everything when you weren't hiding your face in hands! The mass of people, the poverty, everything - he was shell shocked when we spoke on the phone. After a couple of more taxi rides and trying to decide what to eat and where - he was a little more acclimated, but I suspect it will take several visits there before he is not just in a daze about it. He still has Mumbai, Delhi and Chenai to visit.
Favorites stops have been Melbourne, Australia and he seems to like London and Hong Kong. Dubai he says is incredible with a horrendous amount of traffic on the road and pretty crazy drivers there, too. The goods you can get there are mind-boggling as is the amount of building go on there. Our friend Wayne got to go to Auckland, New Zealand and he loved it there. He spent two months living and working in India and was just having the most fun with Basil's shell shocked reaction to it all. Bear in mind the fact that Basil has never really seen poverty on much of any level in the states, much less abroad. Whizzing past the housing projects at 65 mph has been the bulk of his experience with poverty. But not anymore! He's seeing the really real world now. Wayne just keeps laughing at him! India is one place I have never had a desire to see. I would, however, love to see New Zealand.
Guess I'll go get dinner or breakfast for him so his stomach won't be growling during his check ride to Hong Kong! Then I figure I'll get some sleep unless Abby calls to tell me she wants to see me on the 'puter!
Joyce - getting ready for Barb's visit? Still playing Blokus?
Rusty - baby yet?
Lynn - our bet is on!
Karen - where are you?
Shari - love ya! Love Abby! Love Doug!
Heather - yes, still.
He was in Calcutta, India last week for 3 days. definitely not his cup of tea. He says the first thing that hits you is the smell. Next is the crazy taxi drivers and their driving. He got in while it was dark and said it was terrifying driving in from the airport to the hotel. Riding in a taxi in broad daylight did nothing to dispel the terror. In fact, he said that was almost worst because you could see everything when you weren't hiding your face in hands! The mass of people, the poverty, everything - he was shell shocked when we spoke on the phone. After a couple of more taxi rides and trying to decide what to eat and where - he was a little more acclimated, but I suspect it will take several visits there before he is not just in a daze about it. He still has Mumbai, Delhi and Chenai to visit.
Favorites stops have been Melbourne, Australia and he seems to like London and Hong Kong. Dubai he says is incredible with a horrendous amount of traffic on the road and pretty crazy drivers there, too. The goods you can get there are mind-boggling as is the amount of building go on there. Our friend Wayne got to go to Auckland, New Zealand and he loved it there. He spent two months living and working in India and was just having the most fun with Basil's shell shocked reaction to it all. Bear in mind the fact that Basil has never really seen poverty on much of any level in the states, much less abroad. Whizzing past the housing projects at 65 mph has been the bulk of his experience with poverty. But not anymore! He's seeing the really real world now. Wayne just keeps laughing at him! India is one place I have never had a desire to see. I would, however, love to see New Zealand.
Guess I'll go get dinner or breakfast for him so his stomach won't be growling during his check ride to Hong Kong! Then I figure I'll get some sleep unless Abby calls to tell me she wants to see me on the 'puter!
Joyce - getting ready for Barb's visit? Still playing Blokus?
Rusty - baby yet?
Lynn - our bet is on!
Karen - where are you?
Shari - love ya! Love Abby! Love Doug!
Heather - yes, still.
