T5

You have all probably read the hoarer stories of the opening days a few weeks ago of T5 at Heathrow. Yesterday, I found out my flight to SFO is out of the new T5. Because I decided to leave my bag overnight at T5 in the excesses baggage hold, I had to be back early or pay for another day. So I got here at T5 early. T5 is a lovely large building. Its layout does reminded me of the new BKK airport in Thailand. In the departures check-in is handled by yourself at a handy and very easy use computer. There was also plenty of BA staff on hand to help if needed. Now this system does require a person to be assertive and enter the requested information in my case slide my passport in a slot for reading. In 4 min I had my ticket and even changed my seat. Then was just over to bag drop a few feet away. Was very simple to use. Except for the fact I was so early I had to hold onto my suitcase for a couple hours until 3 hours prior. This is a bit annoying but chances the bag would be lost if put thru I was warned. So I towed it around like a 50lb sled around the large hall. Downside, is the automated lifts… from Arrivals they only go down and then up to departures (so you have to ride down to go up). Security was well organized and took no time at all too.

So overall T5 today was a good day and I had my bag when I got to SFO. J

Airports - free and not so free

As I create this post it is early in Zurich airport where I have spent the night. No not on a floor but in a cheep but practical day room (rented from 8-8). I arrived last evening from Israel where I had to lay over for the evening before traveling on to London and then eventually San Francisco. After checking into my simple room I found I could not leave the airport and be back before it closed. Yes the a/p does close here so no time for train into Zurich proper. Raining anyway so probably not best idea anyway. But lo in these modern times you find most all you need in the way of food, coffee, and expensive jewelry at the airport shops. As I walked the terminal shops seeing the sights and hearing the sounds I was reminded of why I love being overseas.

I remember over a year ago flying from Bangkok to Beirut via Dubai. Getting off the plane in Dubai I walked the terminal (for 11 hours) feeling like I was like being in a portal to middle earth…. With departure points for hundreds of exotic places such as Riyadh, Kabul, Oman, etc. Along with this came all the people dressed in the burkas to Gulf Arab costumes and everything kind of dress and language common to those lands. I had that same rush of excitement last night (to a smaller extent) as I listened to all the European languages and saw all the destinations for points around Central Europe. I even got to use what little German I remember before easily being helped in English. My wander lust gets peaked at these hubs where peoples from all over come together for a brief time. I just want to pick a place and go… maybe someday I will.

The other thing about is airports are how I break them down… FREE and Non-Free. Free being I can get a lot of services without paying, ie the internet. Zurich is not a free place… you to have pay to connect with the outside… London airports the same. Tel Aviv, Free… Charlotte, NC where I spent many hours delayed in Dec Free internet. I think this simple decision of whether to give access for free or to pay speaks a lot of the countries personality. In England people laugh at you when you ask if something (like a cup of water) is free… nothing is free there. I know back in the SF Bay Area many cities have free internet access throughout the business districts and I hear is a common trend… free access. Here in Swiss maybe no-free speaks to being a city of bankers or 5$ cups of coffee. So as I do travel and pull out the laptop I make that mental note when I try and sign on… Free country or not.

I also need to give good marks to Swiss Air who I have flown from Israel to London via Zurich. Top notch airline with excellent service and good people.

Next stop SF.  But first I must experience T5.  I did drop my large bag off at T5 this morning and looks great and staff was helpful and friendly too.  Will see tomorrow when I check in how things go. 

Kosher McD’s (at the airport)

Today at the Ben Guron airport I had my last encounter with Kosher food rules. Getting to the a/p early I found I had an 1.5 to waste so in search of a seat I found McD’s. I had previously sworn off McD’s, except for ice cream. First thing I noticed was the sign… McDonalds - Kosher. Picture moment. After a stop at the book store for a paper I order chicken mcnuggets. As I got my food I told the server I wanted bbq sauce. With a straight face she told me bbq sauce is not kosher and I would have to do with ketchup. hmmm She also said that was passover week so this may be why I don’t get my special sauce. On closer exam of my nuggets they had a different look too… in the end the chicken filled my belly for the long afternoon ahead. I guess I could have asked for a cheese burger.

Also of note is the fun announcement that you only find here… a reminder to all that weapons (pistols and rifles) are not to be carried in the terminal hall.

Garden Tomb and Masada

This past week, my last in Israel, I had a chance to visit a couple interesting places. The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem for a second time and then a trip to Masada on the Dead Sea. No history lesson here just a few pictures. Enjoy.

Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. This popular tourist site is just outside the Old City walls. The description and location fit NT references to the burial site of Jesus. Archeology dates the area to the first century CE. There is also a large underground cistern that would/could have been used to maintain a garden. Also the tomb entrance faces towards the Temple Mount (as would have been custom for a Jewish burial place.

Inside the chamber. This would have been where a body would have lain. The feet towards the top of the picture. This area was cut after the original chamber was cut out of the rock. In the end no one knows for sure and can only guess.

Masada on the Dead Sea. Amazing fortress. Please read more about Masada here. I am standing at the base near the bus drop point. The top is nearly 1300 feet and is an amazing view of area and Dead Sea.

Storage area and royal palace.

Looking west at the famous Roman ramp used to breach the walls. At the top of this wall the Romans used a large siege tower to overcome the walls. At this point the defenders took there own lives approx in 73 CE.

Another view of the ramp to the west wall.

Thus end my touring of Israel, for now. Thanks for stopping by for a look.

Surpise a parade?

So this afternoon there was a parade on the main street in front of my place. As I was giving a presentation to my team, I was told that this was a special day, for some. And maybe we should plan on taking a break to see a parade that only happens here in Haifa. Evidently, twice a year a big painted statue of the Virgin Mary is moved from one church to another. Now this is obviously not a Jewish tradition. It is the Arab Christians (Merronite Catholics) who do this so they come from Nazareth and all the surrounding towns. So mid way through giving my talk we hear the loud drum beats signaling the arrival of the parade. I adjourned the training so we could go see a parade. This parade was a parade of bands… lots bands with drums and horns and little kids marching too. At first I thought it was the Boy Scouts… but on further exam and reading a flag I could see the kids (and adults) are from some type of Catholic organization. Anyway there were pretty fun to listen too. But we all stood there for quite awhile waiting to see this statue but bands just kept coming, abet at a slow pace. So after while we adjured back to my training without seeing the painted statue. This little parade also solved a mystery for me. On friday nights when I would be downtown going to a favorite falafel shop I would always hear loud drums (like from a marching band) and now it was local bands like these practicing for the big day.

So just a few pictures.