This is a passage from my travel journal to Africa. During one of many layovers in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol I began the first page in my journal on the hectic life and maddening flight I just left behind while thinking of the journey I was about to embark on.

03 October 2004
I have no idea what time it is or what day it is for that matter. I find myself in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. This airport is truly amazing and is one of my favorite places to endure those long hours between flights. How many times have I changed planes here now? At least a dozen. My latte is still bitterly strong after adding two healthy packets of sugar to my cup. Thank God I’m no longer in the land of crappy Starbuck’s coffee, one big sigh of relief.

I almost had the luck of enjoying an empty seat next to me during the 7 hour flight from New York. But as luck would have it people were rearranged so some poor Mother could sit next to her loved one while one of those passengers that just don’t quite fit in those little airplane seats ends up sitting next to me. At least I got to stretch my legs in the expanse of the ever-so-coveted exit row. I’m looking for the bright side of this situation. My new neighbor however, having no proper flying etiquette annoyed the hell out of me. He only found comfort slouching over into my personal space, clearly past the seat divide. I finally asked him politely to move over and get off of me. He did not hear me, did not understand me or simply ignored my plea for the space that I paid for. Thus began our 7 hour-long tug-of-wars. He was also fondling what appeared to be a new iPod mini. Unfortunately for me, he did not know how to properly insert his earbuds and I had to suffer thru his tacky music blaring out of his ear which happened to be almost lying on my shoulder. Just when I was about to cry his batteries mercifully died. Why do I always have to sit next to a character that is suitable for an episode of Seinfeld?

I left New York City on Saturday, October 02 to begin my second journey to Africa. Leaving all the stress of a Project Manager at RichFX behind, I began my three-week vacation. My left eye is still twitching but with less frequency. I’m going to Kenya again, but this time as an experienced traveler with much different views of the world and not as a naïve college student with hopes of changing the world. I’m visiting my best friend, Jason, who is stationed in Nairobi. His mother, Virginia, and cousin, Laurie, will also be joining me on this adventure. Our itinerary includes 11 days in Egypt with a cruise up the River Nile and a side trip to Sharm el Sheikh.

As I sip my latte I wonder how it will be traveling with three stanch republicans… The boarding call for flight 565 with service from Amsterdam to Nairobi interrupted my envision of political debates. Until next time Schiphol.