Shanghai....Another Fedex Adventure

It is just past 3pm now and I will be leaving Shanghai tonight after being here almost 25 hours. Today was absolutely gorgeous and a great day to explore Shanghai. The Chinese are celebrating the Chinese Dragon Boat holiday, which commemorates one of their philosophers who died in 200 AD, so there were lots of people about the city. These three young people in the picture, approached me in the Peoples Square (park) about 10am and asked if I was an American. Two of them were visiting a friend and were excited to meet someone who spoke English. I ended up spending the next 2 hours with them and it was like getting a personal history lesson of the city. They took me to a Chinese Tea house for a traditional ceremony (tea is very important in their lives) and then we all went to the Chinese Planning Exhibition Center and Museum. It was a great morning. I will have to include some of their questions as I write today's blog. I will say that the girls liked my prominent nose and actually wanted to touch it to make sure it wasn't fake! It was hilarious ...but they were very serious saying that many Chinese are getting nose jobs these days because it is so handsome. So...no more comments about the size of my "snoz" as it is very special here!!! They are also facinated with our American history (and current politics) and was somewhat disappointed that I didn't know much about the World Expo here next year or what their President's name was. Since I know my flying future includes China, I will learn a little more about their history and will definitely learn some conversational Chinese.
My flight over (14 hours) was on a B777 and was very comfortable with lots of attention (food and wine). I had to mention the wine!!! However, when we landed we had to stay on board for another 30 minutes as the Quarantine Health Department all came on the aircraft and took the temperature of everyone on board as part of their "swine flu" prevention. There were 5 of these folks all dressed "head to toe" in Haz Mat uniforms, boots, googles and masks, taking our temps with a hand held laser gun. We then proceeded to snake through a huge line (twice) to submit our medical history forms and the second time to get through immigration. I finally got to the hotel about 3 hours after landing. When I finally came out of the Customs line, I was met by a Chinese Hotel Bellman (uniform, hat and all) holding up a sign with my name on it. He spoke good English and said he had been waiting an hour for me. He never complained while leading me out (up, down, elevators, etc) to the garage pickup point. I never saw him use a cell phone but when we approached the curb a driver pulled right up to take me to the Hilton (downtown Shanghai). I was amazed at this organization!! The drive in was interstate the entire way with construction going on all over the place. It was interesting to see that cab drivers routinely stopped along the highway to relieve themselves. I haven't seen this since my tour in Korea. Their economy is definitely booming. Impressive, considering it is a Communist country...but there appears to be a lot of change occuring. I do remember my 3 young friends telling me today that it was very important for them to learn English since America is so important in the world. It was refreshing for me to hear this.....
My travels tonight take me to Ghangzhou (Canton) which is about a 90 minute flight. I still haven't met my Captain yet...but I do know he is in the hotel. He is based in Hong Kong, so this will be my first time flying with him. I have been to Ghangzhou before (not many westerners there) but lots of shopping around our hotel. I will lay over there for 51 hours then take off for Penang Malaysia and the Eastern Oriental Hotel. That's the hotel that reminds me of a Humphrey Bogart movie....a real step back in time. I will take more pictures there. You can find these on my Facebook account if you are interested.
All in all....a good start to this 10 day trip. I wish you all were here to enjoy it with me....so I will try to describe as much as possible in these blogs over the next week or so.
Blue Skies for China.............

Moose

Leaving Tel Aviv.....coming home via Paris

Well this was the last time that I was on the beach at Tel Aviv! I had just stopped jogging along the beach and boardwalk, when a nice European couple offered to take my picture. I have quite a few shots of the beach and local community but I really liked this one, having the Med and the City of Jaffa in the background. It is about 6pm and the sun is starting to approach the water as it is sinking to the west (right of this pic). Again, tradition has it that Noah's son helped build this seaport settlement over 5000 years ago. Can you believe that! I love the history here! It makes you realize how insignificant modern man really is.... Most of these historical facts can easily be verified by reading the Old Testament.
The beach was packed at this time on Friday. Most of the shops (religious owners) closed today at 3pm because the Shabbat starts at sundown and ends on sundown on Saturday. I suspect most of the people on the beach today were either Muslims, Christians or non-religious Jews. I have discovered that only about 40% of the Israeli Jews practice their faith, with 15% of these being Orthodox (fundamental belief that the Torah and the laws are Devine). It has been fascinating getting to know and understand a little more about their beliefs and culture. In fact, I went shopping yesterday and the shop owner was very traditonal and would not sell me certain items (that were on sale) because I wasn't Jewish. She was very nice and was willing to share her beliefs....of course I was very willing to listen. I stayed almost an hour! Plus she was a good sales person and kept quite a bit of my Sheckels.
Last night after a little Happy Hour in the crew lounge, Clell and I went to the city of Jaffa and had a HUGE middle eastern dinner. At one time there were 22 bowls (variety) of food on our table for us to eat...before the meat (kabobs) was brought out. We literally could not make a dent in the food. Of course, before we took the cab back we stopped in the local store and purchased some Israeli Red Wine. I hope I can get them home in one piece!
Today, I took a cab to the city of Petack Tikva, which was about 30 minutes away. I met my new friend Sapir Tal for the second time during this long trip. He is a Sifu (Master Instructor) in Chinese Kung Fu (Preying Mantis style) and is the inventor of the Spikey. I spent two hours with him in his Dojo learning some of his fighting style and how to employ the Spikey as an added benefit. I really appreciated his time, instruction and friendship. I plan on learning more from him in the coming year, as Pat and I are committed to market and sale the Spikey across America as a "personal bodyguard tool". I learned a great deal today and look forward to sharing it with those friends and family that currently have one of the Spikey's.
Upon my return from Sapir's I quickly learned about the shops closing up at 3pm on Friday's so the owners/workers can be in their homes before sundown. Of course, most of the Expresso Cafes were all open and jam packed. Kaffee (coffee), yogurt, pita sandwiches, french fries and ice cream are all very popular among the locals. Interesting, as you don't see many overweight people, although, smoking is widespread across all age groups!
The Israel part of our 13 day journey ends tomorrow morning at 0745 when we leave the hotel for the airport. We takeoff at 10am for Athens and eventually end up on Paris at 4:30pm. Unfortunately, our layover is short and we will stay at the airport hotel which offers nothing towards the "experience" of being in Paris. Our flight home will leave @8am on Sunday and go through Amsterdam and arrive in Memphis about 4:40pm. I hope to be home ("God willing"..my new Israeli saying) about 10pm on Sunday night. Other than some much needed dental work (lost a crown last wk) my next big adventure starts on Tuesday 26 May, leaving from Memphis to Shanghai, China, Malaysia and Singapore. That trip is a little shorter and will get me back home on June 5th.
I will try to submit a short report tomorrow....if time permits. I hope you have enjoyed these updates. It not only reinforces my own memories, but allows all of you who love me to follow my journey on a daily basis. It has been fun.....and I remain Blessed............

Oops! Just woke up from a 3 hour nap and I don't have much time. We leave the hotel in 30 min (10:30pm) and fly all night to Tel Aviv...I will make this quick.

Mainz is a beautiful village (town) located near Frankfurt. This chapel was about a 5 min walk from our hotel. My pictures really don't do it justice as this town reminded me of a movie set. In fact, this church looked like Snow White's castle from Disney World. It was here during WWII when the city was bombed daily by American bombers. The story goes, a B-17 bomber was shot down and the American gunner's parachute got hung up on the bridge crossing the Rhein and he was captured. Seems the towns people eventually hung him after being "stirred up" by the Nazi's. When the Americans heard of his fate, the bomber crews kept one bomb from every mission henceforth, and saved it for the town of Mainz on their way back to England. It was known as "Save one for Mainz". How this church survived is a miracle!
When we landed last night, Clell and I had some red wine in the bar with about 6-7 other pilots and then went to a local restaurant for some Veiner Schnitzel and a cold pilzer. It hit the spot! We ended up discussing politics with a 26 yr old student from Mainz and had a great time. Obviously the media has a big impact on the political views of so many Europeans. He was a smart young man...and eventhough we disagreed on our new President, he is very unhappy with the social system in Europe. He bar tends on the side as a student and hates the fact so many people are on the dole. Sound familiar?
Anyway, got to bed late....slept til noon....ran along the Rhein ...then had a braukwurst for lunch. No beer....gotta fly. Ok, time to go. Off to Tel Aviv via Athens. The first leg is mine. Landing in the harbor of Athens is gorgeous at night. We get to Tel Aviv at 7am tomorrow....for another 2 day layover. I'll hit the ground running ;-)
See you all soon......

Moose

Israel and my visit to the Old City

Well, I was going to give a few paragraphs about my 20 hour layover in Paris but discovered I had nothing to say! You see, I only had about 6-7 hours to explore and then I got ready and flew to Israel. I really never wandered far from the hotel during that time. However, once I got to Tel Aviv (my second trip in 4 years) I knew where my passion truly belonged. This blog will focus on Israel. Although, I will be back here in 2 days, I really wanted to share some of my "hands on" experience about my second trip to this land of "milk and honey".

I put this photo on the blog because it really sets the tone for me and what I have learned about the Israeli's (God's Chosen People). This young security officer (a student) is guarding the area around Kind David's tomb within the walls of the Old City. He has already completed his 3 years of obligation to the military. Has traveled abroad and is now back home pursuing his college education. As "students" these young men (& women) take these part time jobs as "security officers" (not guards) because of their military training and background. They usually speak English fluently, and because of their youth, do not harbor preconceived ideas or idiologies. In other words, they don't have prejudices which might cloud their judgement when making a split second tactical decision about something unusual. You see these security officers at every grocery store, department store, hotel, bar, etc, around Tel Aviv. They check every bag, purse and backpack outside of these various establishments. Many have hand held wands. All are armed! The only inconvenience for Israeli citizens is, if a store or establishment does NOT have this kind of security. If that is the case, most Israeli's will not go into that establishment. It is simply a way of life.

You will also find soldiers (kids) carrying their rifles everywhere within Tel Aviv (stores, walking, shops, bus stops, etc). Since the state of Israel is so small, unless you are assigned to a fort within the terroritories (west bank) or near Gaza (south of Tel Aviv) these young soldiers generally live at home and commute to work like most Americans do here. They are allowed on all trains and buses free with an ID. Needless to say, their street crime statistics are extremely low! The 18 year old girls have a 2 year obligation and the boys have a 3 year active duty obligation and Reserve duty until they are 40yr. The Reserve starts once they are back from traveling abroad.

I am staying at the Sheraton Tel Aviv which is located right on the Mediterranean Sea. It is about 100 miles to Jerusalem which is the capital of the State of Israel. Tel Aviv just celebrated its 100 year anniversary, which is located next to the city of Jaffa (5000 years old) which was settled by Noah's son Japheth, after the great floods. (That is the kind of history that blows me away). Our trip today was across barren wasteland and desert that surrounded us from the time we left the outskirts of Tel Aviv. We saw elevations from -1400 below sea level up to 2900 above sea level in Jerusalem. The West Bank is situated just south and west of Jerusalem and has over 1.4 million Palistineans living in that restricted area which is land won back by the Israeli's in the six day war of 1967. As in the Gaza strip, all utilities (water, electricity) is supplied by the Jews. A very interesting geo-political dilemma!!!

I did learn today that most Israeli's drive like New Yorker's but with a little more patience and tolerance. No middle fingers and very little honking....just "go for it" kind of driving. Our guide today (10 pax van) said after one near miss today that "the fence around Israel was to keep all the crazy drivers from leaving". I believe it.

Before I forget it, the flight into Tel Aviv on Sunday morning at 0500 was very interesting. We flew in from Athens (unbelievable beauty with the lights around the islands) at 35,000 feet under total radar control from numerous flight agencies. However, at exactly 180 miles out we had to ask for permission from Israel control before we could continue. I was fully prepared to follow some Israeli F-15 if I found one on my wing when I was descending into their airspace.

We leave again tomorrow morning from the hotel about noon. We fly through Munich enroute to Frankfurt, and will arrive in Germany for the night about 8pm. The good news is we have a 26 hour layover then fly back into Tel Aviv on Thursday morning at 7am for another 2+ days here. I am excited. I plan to do a little more shopping, plus go meet (workout) with my new friend Sapir Tal, who is a Kung fu Master and who designed the Spikey that Pat and I are going to market and sell. It will be fun. I fly back into Paris on Saturday and home on Sunday...Mother's Day. I have quite a few pics from today that I will post on Facebook for those of you who belong. This trip has been wonderful and I continually count my Blessings for having such a great family and friends. More to follow......

Moose

Leaving Milan on my way to Paris

What a day! It was a gorgeous sunny day in Milan and my only regret was I had to fly back to Paris tonight. I loved the easy going pace and the cappaucino's were excellent. I am drinking my last cup before my driver picked me up from the hotel in Milan. Of course, that's probably why I am still "wired" some 7 hours later! Oh but wait....I did have an excellent expresso after my pasta dinner on Luftansa/Italia airline enroute to Paris so that may be keeping me up as well. Also, my second regret of the day was wearing my uniform on this deadhead flight as I couldn't enjoy any red wine that was served free with the pasta dinner on my flight. I love the way the Europeans enjoy life....too bad they will eventually run out of money. Today was a National Labor Day holiday for all of Europe, but it looks like there were Union strikes and parades in most major cities. Really too bad.

I took more pics of my day which I posted on Facebook. Most of my time was spent at the Milan Train Station, which had a open aired market place outside. That was fun! I also walked all through the station, which was literally wide open with very little security so I took a video of the trains inside. Not sure how to post that yet...but will try to do that soon. I got some fun video at the train station.

After spending a couple of hours there I ended up at Martin's sidewalk bar and had a ham and mushroom pizza and a couple of beers. I took my book The Distant Land of My Father ,that I got from Corinne via Lindsay, and read it while waiting on my pizza. It was a great afternoon! Oh by the way, my next great adventure will be in Shanghai (theme of that book) when I depart for the Far East again May 26-June 5. I will get that schedule out soon.

Ok, it is now 2am....and I am now starting to fade. I am having a good trip....just wish I could have you all here to enjoy it with me...then it would be great! Until tomorrow......