Touch down

September 6

My new flight to Amsterdam was quite comfortable with blankets as well as what we now all know to be forbidden liquid explosives ingredients - lotion and toothpaste - given to me by the airlines. I guess it is only o.k. to have that stuff after you get on the plane – it must only be dangerous in the security area. Anyway, not to be outdone by would be child murderer John Mark Karr, we feasted on cheeses, roasted nuts, prawns, steak, roast duck, pasta and fresh vegetables (not the real stuff mind you, but an airline version which did bear some resemblance to the real thing) until it was time to nap again.

Arrival in Amsterdam was uneventful and pleasant as usual. The Schipol airport has plenty to see and do if you end up stuck there on a layover. If you have enough time or inclination, it is even easy to take a train downtown. Having luggage, as normal, the airport shops and Business class lounge were enough to pass the time.

After boarding the next flight, finding I had 2 seats in business and falling asleep even before push back, I was suddenly awakened by the purser asking me what seat I was supposed to be in? Naming the seat I was sitting in, this continued for a while between naps until finally it became apparent that we were waiting on the taxi-way for the sole purpose of clarifying my identity and ensuring that I was probably harmless before the plane took off. Having shown my boarding pass and passport hours earlier on the ground as well as having shown said documents again just prior to boarding the plane where they collected ½ of said boarding pass, it became apparent that the airline was confused. As the inquisition started to take a reverse direction, suddenly all was settled and we took off. About 4 hours into the flight, reverse interrogation and what appeared to be at least 6 “teletypes” later, a picture began to emerge where my rerouting in Newark appeared to have made me a “no-show” on the Newark flight, so obviously (even though they took my boarding pass in Amsterdam immediately prior to my boarding) there was no way I could be on that plane and in the name of safety and terrorist control, they took my luggage off the plane. Well, I rationalized, as long as my baggage eventually showed up, all this would really mean was that I didn’t have to muck with it at the airport that night when I arrived.

Arrival in Dubai was uneventful. Landing, you could see the Creek as well as pods of colored lighted skyscrapers with a decided preference for blue. At the airport, were it not for the Arabic writing on some signs, it could have been any International airport. Immigration had a lot of open lines and my papers were efficiently reviewed and stamped. After a little questioning, I found the lost luggage office and after a short wait was on my way with paperwork and a file number for later follow-up. Taking the nothing to declare exit, 30 minutes later through light traffic, past nearly every imaginable western restaurant chain, I arrived at my hotel, one of 5 Le Meridians. Staff was mostly from the subcontinent and service was gracious.

Awaking the next morning, the construction site a.k.a Dubai was revealed though a light haze of desert dust. Room service continental breakfast was a delightful assortment of pastry and most appreciated coffee. I took a walk on the beach and picked up a few small, but nice shells. Close to the hotel there was a Marina with a boats from 20 to 100+ foot in length. People were busy cleaning the larger craft and it was apparent by the appearance of the hardware and chrome that this was a regular event.

After checking out of the hotel, B. picked me up and we went to the office which was about 20 minutes away. The office was small considering the number of people and the number of Divisions. Within about 2 years, there should be a new, larger office more suited to the operation. During the day, I met a number of people, got a new computer (but no password, etc…), phone and a Toyota Camry rental car! After a long day of little action, B. showed me the apartment I’ll live in until I find something else. It’s 2 BR/2bath in a large complex with pool and exercise room close to a small shopping center.

Checked on my luggage & was told that two bags had arrived that day and had been sent out for delivery. I got the number for the person who had taken the bags and called them. They told me that they had called my office number and couldn’t get anyone to answer (??) so they took the bags back to the airport but would deliver them the next day to my apartment before 10. Well, it sounded strange and the next day when he didn’t show by 10:10, I called and he said he was about 5 minutes away and indeed showed up with all three bags which I helped bring up to the apartment from the street. It’s nice to have my stuff.