Back for ...

Arrived home unscathed by any debacle. The trip was quite smooth. I spent a few days at home and am now off to AA-land ... see Annabelle and Avery (and oh ya, Mom and Dad too) in Calgary. I will be back Saturday October 1, a mere 11 days from my anniversary. As I learned in Kampala and then Lisbon ... wabele and obrigado.

Home, home again ...

It's been a pretty crazy few days. The work I was doing took a major turn for the better then everything blew up. Oracle makes this RAC offering so difficult. It is such a journey installing it then one gets the pleasure of it keeping you up at night. We were oh so close then had to reinstall twice. The second time did not go well and that was all we could all take. I spoke to contacts in Ottawa and we decided to pull the plug (for now). After a chat with Ottawa this morning, guess where I am? None other than EBB! I am off to Brussels at 10:50 then from there to Newark and will be home tomorrow afternoon about 5PM.

Joseph picked me up at 7:45 and we wound our way through busy busy streets on the way out of Kampala. He had enough and did a 180 and then we headed down some very rural roads with gutters as deep and frequent as egg cartons. There were throngs of people and people to avoid and the quaintest little shops selling everything. It was quite fascinating seeing rural Uganda. I always wonder where everyone could possibly be going and at such a late time. I got to the airport and after clearing security was told they could only check my bags to Brussels. I protested politely (the key) and they somehow found me tags that said EWR ... YOW! Joy oh joy. Debacle avoided. Someone recently suggested I attract travel debacles.

I have a 4'ish hour layover in Brussels then Continental the rest of the way. Yippee! More air miles. I hope my travels for work never do that to me again .... all work and next to no free time. My BLOG posts have been boring as I really did close to nada but work. I will touch down in Ottawa and hope to head out to see Avery and the gang in Calgary. That will cost me 50,000 miles instead of the normal 25,000. Oh well, that's what they are for. Annabelle loves her little bro and Avi is apparently settling into a routine which is best for all.

So how was Uganda ... that is a very good question. Javas where I ate most was great as were a handful of other establishments I saw. Why would muzungu only mention eating hangouts? That's about all I saw. I was late at work may days, did two all nighters, and saw more of my cohort Ivan than anyone else. Outside of Ivan and Arben who was staying at the same apartment, I really had close to no interaction with anyone or thing save my bed. I went for one long walk just last Saturday and outside the droppings of pixie dust on Nakasero Hill road I did not have a clue where anything was in Kampala.

There was more cricket on TV than one would care to watch; it was never-ending night and day. The cable network we had was a feed from India full of shows in more languages I could not understand. I have never seen so many loud people before on the telly.

The people in general ... that's hard to say. They thought muzungu was hilarious and took great joy in my nonsense. The women take very good care of themselves and 1 out of 5 men is well dressed. The women do their hair like I saw in Addis and the kids are adorable. Since the July bombs at two football clubs security has been tight. That's what they would like one to think. The Soliz building where one of my offices was close to was wide open one day when it rained with security personnel in the basement for shelter and the gates unattended. One day at the Oasis mall the guards were too busy to check everyone and people sauntered past them ignoring their verbal requests to stop.

The weather ... can't complain. It did not go above 27 degrees and hovered most of the time closer to 22. There was one day of rain for a few hours otherwise dry all the time. Just like Ethiopia the sun was up at 6:30 and down by 7:00. The traffic ... oh vay! The standard rush hour times were awful and people's driving was rude. Most were completely oblivious to the fact that there were actually other vehicles on the road. The cars were not as old as I saw in Ethiopia and there were the high-end Toyota Pradas everywhere driven by rude Ugandans (behind the wheel that is). I learned and used only one word in Luganda ... "wabele" that means thank-you.

The coffee was great. I was caught off guard the first time I was asked "white?" after ordering. I asked for peanuts at a store and were told they did not have any. I found some and later was told they are called "roasted nuts" which all the stores carry. I saw the locals put lots of salt on their food and one guy in particular must have shaken his food while I counted to 10.

I only had local food once at Ekitoobero. I was told muzungu did not like local fare. It did not disappoint ... must have been why I only did it once. My favourite sign was on a hut selling phone cards ... "No urination ... 50,0000 fine". I once had to so badly I was thinking it might just be worth it.

Yet another Brussels Airlines trip with no seatback video ... I asked one of the attendants on my first voyage with this carrier when they were going to be outfitted and was told "within the next 5 years is the plan". 2,431 shillings to the dollar and 18% VAT. I wonder if the feds in Uganda like to incarcerate their VAT-avoiding business owners like some other African countries which will remain nameless. Spoke with the new mother in Calgary today and wished her a happy birthday for me and the ST. Had I known I was going to be away 4 rather than 2 weeks I may have taken my Fender Squire.

My stopover in Bruxelles was uneventful. I had a sandwich and hung out. Close to the start of the second leg and all is well. It is such a pleasure to see screens in the back of the seats which I have not seen since Montreal to Bruxelles a way back on August 25. The lady minding the back of the plane apologized for their not being touch screen. I told her I would take it up with the CEO. I will be back on North American terra firma in 6 hours or so. I got email from a very famous friend in Ottawa ... Paddy Mallia!!!! He has email ... I cannot give it out sorry, without his permission. Now I am waiting for Annabelle and Avery to get them.

The future in Ottawa is a bit up in the air with a few choices. The people in Vietnam want me back in November and I may have to bargain with them as they seem to want me for 4 rather than the agreed upon 2 weeks. Depending on what goes on with the people that sent me to Uganda, maybe a stop in Mongolia would happen. I wonder if they have a chain of eateries there called "Canadian BBQ". My Sens are doing a back-to-back series with les Habs tonight and tomorrow. The regular season/debacle (choose one) begins in early October.

My Sweet Thing is off to Dubrovnik for the weekend then back to Budapest at the end of the week. Her following stops after that are Prague and Amsterdam. Dubrovnik ... wow! I wonder if they have any cured meat there? I am hoping there is still some 2-wheeled Honda time when I get home. I seem to remember that mode of transportation working into October most years.

It's been a long time since I flew Continental. There was once a time when only Continental would team up with lowly Air Canada as a partner carrier. This was in the 1990's when I did a lot of traveling for the IOUG mainly to NYC and Redwood Shores through Newark. They do not have a state of the art entertainment system. It isn't video-on-demand but it is better than what Brussels or Ethiopian had to keep me occupied.

I brought some goodies back for my ST as well as the double-A's in Calgary .... none other than Annabelle and Avery. A&A for B&Z. I am watching what I think is a girlie movie. I always seem to like this genre. It was called "Letters from Juliet" and the co-female lead was Vanessa Redgrave. No wonder she looked so familiar. Like so many flicks from Hollywood, the ending was weak and so predictable.

I found out that I had to clear US customs even though I was in transit. I did not take a card when they were handed out so fixed that. There was no Nexus so I asked an officer where it was and he said this was airport passport control not DHS. I did not know the difference. The signage once I got out of the passport area was poor, actually really really poor. I finally spoke to a Continental person who was helpful and agreed that not only was the signage bad but it was an embarrassment. I found my way to security gate C1 and it was so hurried I thought I'd lost my watch. I remember stuffing it in my bag before passing through security but it was nowhere. Upon my third tear apart of my carry on I found it. That was close ... so no debacle yet ... who would'a thunk !! The day's not over.

No debacle

Maybe I spoke too soon but I am camped out in concourse B in Brussels and no problems yet with flights or baggage. I have a much longer post stuck on my iPad which discusses Uganda and my last few days there. I sure am glad I purchased 2 plug converters and now that I have them I do not know how I ever did without one.

Africa-unfriendly

It seems that every time I access my Paypal account from Africa, my account becomes limited. This happened to me as well once in Ethiopia and once in Vietnam. It is such a nuisance but I know why it is done. One of the things that has to be done this time, is I need to be at my home number to receive a call from Paypal to confirm my location. How can I do that when in Africa? There is an opportunity to enter an alternative number to be called at, but that screen is not 3-digit country code friendly.

We were up until 3AM working and the O'RacIavellian road continues, a deliberate Waby'ish take-off on Machiavelli(an), one of the main founders of the political science discipline. "O'RacIavellian" is one of the main founders of red tape and bureaucracy.

Taking stuff for granted

It's interesting how we do just that. I purchased a cup full of peanuts to munch on at the Just Kickin' bar. When one buys such nourishment at home, the peanuts are always roasted. I figured out without even opening the first shell; the morsels felt soft, just like I imagined peanuts would feel if unroasted. Unroasted peanuts ... not the same ... not even close. I had some ribs for an early dinner which were nice too.

Yesterday I got my first beer, then ordered a mixed BBQ as I mentioned I think yesterday. It took forever to come. Then I remembered I had relocated and, they were able to find me to service more alcohol, but my food order did not follow me. When I asked about 90 minutes later where the food was, it appeared almost at once. They must have had it stashed at the bar until someone ordered mixed BBQ :).

The bar was packed for ManU who managed to score with a few minutes left to propel them to a 3-2 victory. Berbatov got a hat trick and poor old (not that poor really) Rooney was held scoreless. I then watched Chelsea trounce Blackpool who did score once but it was off-side. At the office now hopefully not for long ...

Another Sunday another football

You tell me ... I get on a two-wheeled taxi at the foot of Nakasero Hill road and bargain with the driver for 3,500 to get to Just Kickin'. As we start to head out I start to get the feeling he may not know where he is going. My suspicion is confirmed when we stop and he asks another driver for assistance then off we go again. It still looks a little shaky once we stop and this time ask a conglomeration of locals. Still no confidence. Then a guy tells the driver where it is (Kisimente), which I will remember for next time.

We get there and I gladly give the driver 4,000 instead of the negotiated tariff and he wants more. He wants 5,000 and I tell him he already got more that he asked for. It's not my problem if he got lost and my extra 500 shillings in standard Ugandan culture is a nice bonus. As I write this post I feel badly; I know how little money these people make especially compared to muzungu. They have motocross on the big screen and I hope the football will come on at 3:30. I am interested to see if it's a struggle getting ManU on at the bottom of the hour .... playing another big market team at that ... Liverpool.

Sunday morning

I was up a little later than usual. It seemed cool outside which was just fine with me. I showered, dressed, did a little email, then headed out for a walk and hopefully to find some grub. I walked out the back of the complex and down some familiar territory I see all the time on the way to work. I hung a right and saw a busier street in the distance so headed that way. I hung a left on that street and approached a large intersection.

There is definitely a hue of dust around the city, amplified by the never-ending street sweeping. The sides of the roads are this light crimson sand that reminds me of brick dust. I saw a few embassies and as many MTN cell phone card outlets one would care to see. There are so many of them everywhere here.

My intuition told me to take the left fork which I did then I saw the City Oil outlet meaning I was on the right track. I had breakfast at Javas and walked a bit thereafter then hopped a cycle-cab back to the compound for 3 shillings. When in Kampala, do as the Kampalians do.

The city wakes up very early and the street cleaners are already out in force even on Sunday. The natives are busily scurrying everywhere so quickly. When I left Javas with plans to find a cab, no luck. The Hiace 14-passenger vehicles are plentiful but I do not know anything about them. I now tell the driver to take me to Nakasero road just above the Fang Fang hotel. That is known to all. I forgot my camera at work so could not trap any sights on my first long walk into the city.

My so-called life ...

Fortunately we only worked until 3PM today. We hit a roadblock on some network issues. Ivan and I are going to re-convene to tomorrow at 8PM in the office and work with George from Nairobi. Joseph dropped me off at the Just Kickin' sports bar to watch some EPL. It was reminiscent of many many nights at Blue Drops. The first game was a 1-1 draw between Stoke City and West Ham. It did not fail to please muzungu. Then I watched most of Tottenham and the Wolves which ended up 3-1 for the latter.

The bar was OK with large 45 inch LCD screens and lots of them. I had 3 bottles of Bell and a nice mixed BBQ for about $11. The area of town was very busy with street vendors selling mainly DVDs and khaki pants. I picked up a few needed toiletries at the Millennium market and waited for Godwin the cab driver to come get me. He called and said he was stuck in traffic so I cabbed it with one waiting at the plaza where I had watched football. I have been in Kampala a total of ~15 days and this is the first time I really got out ... silly me. Tomorrow AM I will hoof it into town then grab a cab back here.

ManU and Liverpool are playing at 5:30PM so I will probably head back to Just Kickin' for that as well as a dinner. I have spoken to my Sweet Thing a few times. She was interviewed by radio free Europe ... Professor Kronick that is. She is teaching in Montenegro for a few weeks then is off to Budapest, Prague and finally Amsterdam. She had a cucumucca of the 10th degree with her flights. We had double-booked her leg from Frankfurt to Budapest. As soon as we noticed it, I called Travelocity and since the booking was less than 24 hours old, they cancelled it. Well it appears that they cancelled her return flight from Budapest to Montenegro AS WELL AS the flight from Frankfurt to Budapest ... whatever for; that is not what I asked the operator for. I emailed them, not expecting to hear anything back, and will call when I get back home with the cancellation number I was given.

RAC'ing up the hours

I just found out my departure date has been pushed back somewhat. I will not be returning to Canada as planned on Friday the 24th. I will be here until the RAC install is completed and properly documented. I walked back from very nice pizza lunch. I spoke too soon ... it was clear and sunny this morning and now it's back to gray and gloomy.

Say what? Goat races?

I was speaking with Nowa and he mentioned he was going to goat races Saturday ... never heard of that. My first experience with a goat was at the Bronx zoo when I was very young. I held out my hand to touch a goat he grabbed the plastic bag I was holding as well and ate it. Yummy ... hope it was a Farm Boy rather than Pharmaplus bag :). It is finally sunny here after a few days of gloom and light rain. Still experiencing a string of unfortunate events with the RAC install and it is not going well.

I also had plans for Jinja this weekend but I am going to have to work ...

If I could, I would, but I can't ...

Since returning to Kampala, life has been a lot less stressful than the first 10 days I spent working here. We are making some serious progress on the Oracle RAC install I am here to perform. I had a nice steak dinner last night at Lawn's for $15 or so. I also found out what medium-rare means in Uganda ... the meat waved at me so I sent it back for more cooking. My new favourite is Bell beer and it comes in a 500ml bottle, reminiscent of Tusker we had on safari in Kenya.

My "room mate" Arben has been complaining that his allergies are acting up what with all the dust wafting around the city. I did notice on the way to work in the AM, that there are hoards of women madly sweeping the streets. Here's where the title of this post comes from ... they are bent over sweeping with the equivalent of a broom with no handle. I want to get them all a handle; imagine bending over at the waste for 8 hours a day when one could stand and work with a real broom?

The streets are continually covered with a layer of dark orange dust which, now that Arben mentioned its prevalence of this substance EVERYWHERE, made me think of the cause. Regardless of whether one stoops or stands upright to sweep the roads, clouds of dust are inevitable.

I am trying to arrange a trip to Jinja, not far from the source of the ever-famous Nile river. That would be fun. Jinja is 50km from here. It would be sweet to get out of town and do something touristy for a change. I have been emailing with people in Vietnam about my second mission with no response yet.

My pet project in Ethiopia, which never got off the ground, was "a car seat for every baby". Here, as well as that, it's "a broom handle for every sweeper". I still have not figured out which side of the car the driver is on and keep going to the North American passenger door on the right of the car and find a driver there; then I chuckle ...

The arrival of Avery

We are now grandparents to another micro-Abbey. Avery Sydney _______ Abbey arrived Sunday morning and was a whopping 9.3 tons, I mean 9lb 3oz (I think I got that right). I found out yesterday from, of all people, Avi's paternal grandmother. What with being on the road from Sunday at 6AM eastern until Monday at 1PM eastern I missed the earlier new of the big event. I already forgot his third name so Lindsay will remind me.

Mr. Borge is a little pumped. He had 2 days off work and is heading back to tomorrow I think. Annabelle is quite please with the new arrival. As Ian and Sylvia said in the 60's ... think I'll go out to Alberta ... soon after my return to Ottawa on the 24th. I heard classic newborn noises in the background when I spoke to J&L; she says he is a little crabby ... hence she thinks he may be Crabbey Abbey. I've never heard that name before (today). Both ST and I are awaiting more pictures on Facebook. AA-squared ... sums up our 2 grandchildren - Annabelle Abbey and Avery Abbey. Good Canadian initials, eh?

2 out of 3 ain't bad

We left Addis a little late. Only in Addis do they call a plane and while the people are waiting downstairs for the bus, people in line for Djibouti find out this is the Kampala flight. They do not have a PA system with which to announce the flights that is working all the time. They do their best to announce a flight but there is usually confusion as people arrive downstairs. I get moved from 11L to 14J while doing the final check-in and find the seat occupied. There was more confusion as the plane filled up and many occurrences of double-seat booking. As the stream of flyers ended, one of the attendants found me a seat and shortly thereafter we left.

I slept most of the way to Kampala then scurried for the visa and luggage. Woops, only 1 of 2 bags made it. When it finally becomes obvious there are no more bags to unload, I trundle off to lost baggage and sit for 15 minutes while the lone clerk fiddles with paper and her PC, never once asking me if I needed assistance. Another lady shows up and asks if I am being served and I say "no" and that I have been waiting and waiting. Then the lady at the desk assists me. We do the standard paper work and the bag is still in Addis. There is only one flight a day so it is supposed to be here tomorrow at 1:30PM. Joseph has the paperwork and will pick it up for me ...

More oy yoy yoy

The flight from LHR was uneventful. The equipment at ETH is very tired. I was on a Boeing 767 that probably went into service in the 1600's. At Addis I spoke to someone at Ethiopian air for some assistance. I went downstairs to get the visa and had to speak with the attendant's supervisor. He would not let me out of the airport. I pleaded but knew it was a waste of time. I am on the ETC 2 EUR for 30 minutes internet. I guess I can really say I was in Addis if I get to experience ETC :).

I now get to kill 4 hours until my flight to Entebbe on another tired ETH jet.

Gotta love it ...

Oy yoy yoy yoy yoy ... if I could collect $10 every time I have a debacle at an airport, I would be a very rich person. I decided I would go to the airport early and find something more interesting to do rather than sitting at the hotel until 1:30 or so. I have a nice leisurely breakfast, hiding outside from the stupid music they love to play at hotels that is just soft enough to not have a clue what is being played and just loud enough to be annoying.

I check out to the tune of ~123 EUR which surprises me since I thought it would be a lot more. I take the hotel Benz to the airport to the tune of 18 EUR with the tip. I get to the airport and it starts ... the SIGNAGE IS TERRIBLE. This goes back to my theory that they should hire a 61 year-old ferenge to QA signage; the people who place the signs know where they are going. There are arrows motioning one to Check-ins numbered 1 through 90. I think this is a novel idea ... not so fast. The board does not show my flight yet as it is too early. I look at the top of the list where soon-to-depart flights are listed, and there are no indications what series of check-in counters to use. I go ask someone at TAP (Air Portugal) and am advised to go to counters 65 through 90. The line is very short ... end debacle; I am so lucky to find a short line.

My turn arrives and all appears to be well ... HAH! My luggage may be overweight. I know from coming from Canada a few weeks ago and having gone to Africa 3 times before, they allow 2-23kg bags. I know the two I have together are less than 30!!! Also, he tells me the ticket is "owned" by Air Brussels. He tries to contact them to see what the included baggage allowance is with no luck. He checks with his supervisor who tells him to go to the TAP customer service desk and find out.

So, I now get to stand in another long line? No, he goes with me and discusses the issue with TAP personnel and comes back. We head back to counter 72 and he processes my check-in and gives me a piece of paper to go back to TAP customer service. He tells me it is 4 EUR per extra kilogram and, with a 20 kg per flyer allotment, I will have to pay 120 EUR to get my bags to London. It is up to Ethiopian Airlines to charge me the extra to get to Entebbe.

When my turn comes up, I am informed that the charge is not 120 EUR as I had previously been informed ... it is now 300 EUR!!! Do I have a choice ... my fee is processed, I am provided with a half a mile piece of paper with the charges detailed. I am informed to NOT LOSE that paper, it will get me onto Ethiopian without further excess baggage charges. Ya I believe that ...

I then depart for gate 41 ... remember the signage mess ... where are the departure gates; no signs, nada. I ask someone behind a counter and she motions me to the left then straight ahead. Guess what 1 by 3 inch sign is hanging from the ceiling?? Something motioning one upstairs to the departure gates.

I need some food and decide to violate one of the mantras by feasting on something that will remind me of how easy it is in North America to travel. 6,789,244 calories later, I deposit the wrapper in the garbage ... reminding myself of the chain's real motto: You're Lovin' It.

They want to pass my wallet through the scanner ... 567,232,909 flights in the past 61 years and the first time my wallet was scanned. I am really glad I decided against placing the inflatable AK-47 or the just-add-water to the dehydrated Magnum-45 in said billfold. I walk and walk and eventually go through passport control as I am leaving an EU country. I settle in at gate 41, and attempt to buy 2 hours of internet time. You guessed it ... contact with server unavailable. Oy yoy yoy yo yoy ... what will happen next.

I do believe the main event for this trip has not even started yet, but I think there may be a warmup at Heathrow. I do not have my boarding passes to Africa so need to find the Ethiopian Airlines customer service or transfer desk. I then need to convince them that the fee I paid for excess baggage in Lisbon also covered their two flights. I anticipate that will be a mechacha (Hochstadt'ish word for mess) in itself. Then ... tada ... the anticipated debacle of the journey.

I have an iPad and a MacBook and, according to Ethiopian customs, all people entering the country are allowed 1 computer. Excess computers are subject to 2,000 birr (brand new) or 1,300 birr (used) duty. I have my Macs cleverly packed together. I got caught with 2 computers when I came back from Ottawa in February and they were packed separately. When one exits the secure area at Bole in Addis, one's bags are x-rayed. My checked bags will be fine so hopefully my well-thought-out plan will work. I have from 6AM until 10AM to visit folks in Addis then get back to the airport for my 11:45AM flight. Dereje will pick me up and I will head off to Parisienne near Friendship mall to meat habesha and a few ferenge for breakfast.

One of my contacts in Addis spoke with a local who works for Ethiopian Airlines and I have this guy's cell number in case something happens at customs. By the way, the same rule re:computers applies to cell phones. My FB cell is in my checked bags to avoid that mess. On a scale of 1 (no problem) to 10 (huge cucumuca [another Hochstadt'ian word meaning HUGE mess]), I anticipate the arrival at Bole to be about an 11 ... maybe contacting Beshir from the airlines when I arrive will help. To reminisce about a Band song that BK and I no doubt collectively LOVE ... "Oh to be home again ..."; I think it's called "Rocking Chair" from the brown album.

While sitting awaiting my flight in LIS, the following recurring questions about traveling came to mind:

Why is TV guide sold at airport concessions? Do some people know something about economy class that I do not?

Refuse containers are often hard to find. If an airport authority were serious about garbage, why would there not be an abundance of self-serve disposal containers everywhere?

There are so many delays due to "technical issues with the aircraft". If most of us kept lying to our clientel as much as air carriers do, we would be without customers. There is a master program all carriers use called the Excuserator.

Why do they sell nail clippers at gate-side stands when they are not allowed on board?

Why have I discovered that the back of the plane is not as full as the front? Are people afraid of sitting beside the WC or is the front of the plane safer?

Why are some people so important and so much better than the rest of us that we get to sit amongst their refuse 'cause the DH's are too busy to dispose of their own garbage?

We get to Heathrow 40 minutes late and the bridge will not reach the plane. We sit for a while then get to file out the back door into a bus and get transported to terminal 1. Ethiopian flies out of terminal 3 so on to another shuttle. 10 minutes later we are in terminal 3 and I cannot find the Ethiopian connection desk. I ask for assistance and am told it's the one that says Ethiopian ... stupid ferenge. They get me all set with boarding passes and off I go to gate 28. I was just approached by the agent from the connection desk and his supervisor wants to speak with me about the 300 EUR I paid for extra weight on my bags in Lisbon. This should be interesting ...

John Cleese in a meadow

with his hands folded on a desk in front of him, sitting on a chair, muttering "and now for something completely different ..." Off to Uganda tomorrow until as late as September 24th. Racking up the air miles big time. Tomorrow I go to London (TAP), then Addis Abeba/Kampala with Ethiopian. I have watched a lot of the US Open while here and do not miss Andy and Andy who have been eliminated.

Paddy, have you tried the bass guitar at all while you are babysitting it? There will be Abbey and Kronick-Abbey grandchild #2 as of sometime tomorrow AM. Lindsay said they are going to induce her Sunday AM. Jordie's Mom arrived today and I will look into heading out for a bit when I return from Africa ... Ah Freekah out :)

Public transit

They invented it in Lisbon. There is just about every form of rapid transit one could imagine. There is:

- surface diesel bus
- surface gas bus
- electric trolley in middle of normal traffic
- electric train on dedicated right of way
- subway
- antique rail (almost an extended funiculaire)

Gas is about 1.50 CAD here a litre and most cars are either Benz, Citroen, Renault, BMW, Audi, Toyota, Opel, Ford, or VW. The city buses are mainly Benz. The "normal Jill and Jack" cars seem to be mainly VW and Toyota. I saw something new ... a 4-person Smart Car called, of all things, a ForFour :).

It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood, a beautiful day in the neighbourhood

So muzungu is up at the usual time with big plans to head into the city. I do breakfast then do a last minute checkup with the front desk about my plans. The person I spoke to yesterday suggested taking the 011 bus from the bottom of the hill near the hotel to Marques de Pombal then hop the blue line subway to the end of the line. When I check with the guy this morning he says the tour bus I may be looking for leaves from the Marques. Glad I checked.

I head down the hill and naturally, where could the bus stop possibly be :). I ask a man in front of a store and he points a short way up the hill insisting I cross the street and wait for the bus. He stresses the #11 as more than one bus stops there. I sit and sit and sit and sit and sit and sit and sit and sit and four #1's come by then about 50 minutes later, a #11. I was pleased 'cause when I looked at the schedule taped to the wall, it said the bus would be here by Christmas, if I were lucky. We weave our way through the streets of Linda-a-Velha and pass the hotel of all things. The transit police board and ask for POP which I find in my pocket. Eventually we head out onto open familiar highway then miraculously end up at Marques de Pombal.

There is a collection of red double-decker tour buses and I stop in a kiosk and ask for assistance. For 22 EUR I purchase a 3-route ticket and happily hop on the bus which is close to empty. I take a thousand pictures and we see sites such as museums, the wharf, the location of the 1998 world fair, upscale shopping neighbourhoods, churches (duh!), mosques, and on and on. The drive is about 2 hours. Not far from the end of the line, we stop at a dock where Holland America's Westerdam is tied up and the bus fills up. Not long after that we finally head into the old city and some of the corners are interesting to navigate. On one of them, the clearance is 2 microns on either side and I am impressed with the driver's skill.

We end up back at Marques de Pombal and there is a swarm of impatient Europeans trying to climb onto the bus. I have just finished the blue route and, based on the throng of ants trying to board the bus, decide I have had enough. I start leaving the bus collection area, and a red line vehicle shows up almost empty so I board it. Not long after I do as it starts to pull away, a guy runs towards the bus whining that this one must be as full as the last and "the world is coming to an end". We leave him behind and head out in a different direction from the Marques.

Not long into the trek, we hit a real funky area, with neat shops, cobblestone sidewalks, and neat cafes at the side of the street. I contemplate getting out for a bit but decide to hang in and I will come back later. We see the river and head into some areas that look vaguely familiar from my excursion to docas last Sunday. We see docas but it is on the other side of a tram right-of-way. We hit the most amazing looking structure so far. It looks like a birthday cake ... tan coloured stone, very intricate, lots of spires, buttresses, and elaborate carvings. That's just when stupid muzungu's camera battery dies.

We eventually find some where to turn around, and head back towards town. We stop at docas but I decide against getting out there. Not long after that the geography starts to look familiar and we hit Marques. After a short stop, we head out in the other direction. About 1 hour later we find ourselves at the other end of Marques then hit the same square where the buses coagulate. That's it ... all done.

I go back to where the 011 bus would stop to bring me back to Linda-a-Velha and, after reading that the next bus is due in 2045, decide to hoof it into the funky part of town I passed through on the red line. I stop for a nice squid salad and beer then walk more. I then flag a cab and do a 12 EUR ride back to Solplay.

So, what does stupid ferenge have to say about Lisbon ...

1) Best find out where the Marques de Pombal is; once you know that as far as Lisbon is concerned, you have arrived.

2) The architecture is unique (may resemble other countries on the Iberian peninsula but I have not been to any other); they use a lot of stone and little or no brick. The balconies are funky and the curved walls reach out over the sidewalk in some old and new edifices. The sidewalks are NOT high-heel friendly with grooves 1 centimetre wide between the carefully laid 3x3 centimetre stones.

3) The cafes are numerous and split about 40-60 in favour of pastry and more substantial items of sustenance.

4) The policia are everywhere (Arsenal just scored).

5) The beer is great ... especially Super Bock but there are a lot more.

6) Many Europeans are rude and impatient ... not all, just a lot.

7) They sure know how to build bridges ... one especially gargantuan one was built by the same outfit that did Golden Gate.

8) Don't think for a second that Portuguese sounds like Spanish. It seems more Slavic to me and would be impossible for me to pick out were I to hear people speaking it somewhere.

9) In many ways the locals are almost offended by the mentioning of the other Iberian country in the context of language or customs.

10) Go to Lisbon rather than the other Iberian country. If it seems that tourists have over-run the streets here, imagine what it could be like in Ba_____na or Ma__id!

11) The famous Cristiano Ronaldo is Portuguese, playing for Real Ma__id.

Recommended time to do Portugal ... Lisbon 4 days, the balance of the country ... 10 days by car.

Close but not really

I got very adventurous yesterday and decided to walk down the hill from my hotel and sample some of the fare at a few local hangouts that Paulo showed me a few nights ago. That was a disaster. Two of the three places were closed, and I think the third only served coffee and pastry. I trundled back to the hotel and ate there. I watched some US Open tennis. I am going to get out of the hotel tomorrow night for dinner as well as during the day on Saturday. I have a mid-afternoon flight Sunday back to Uganda.

A nice brood

The gang at the office in Lisbon is very nice. I went out with Paulo to grab some nail clippers which I used immediately. The only thing I still need is some more malaria pills as I only brought enough for one week in Africa. I worked until about 6:30 then ate at the hotel last night. I am trying to figure out more details about the RAC installation I will complete when I return to Kampala Monday. I am determined not to eat at the hotel tonight and will either ask the front desk for some assistance or head down the hill to an area Paulo showed me last night on our way back to the hotel.

Portuguese style

I slept well and was up bright and early at the hotel. Breakfast was nice, and there was a lot of choice Horison-style. I was picked up by Jose about 8:30 and met the gang at the offices close to the hotel. I was treated to Portugal coffee and it did not disappoint.

The Portug in "Portuganda"

I got my bags about 4:30, unpacked, took a shower, and headed out to the city. The thing you see the most here is graffiti. There are some really nice structures spoiled by an assortment of these eye sores it is such a shame. The only thing that rivals the graffiti with frequency is ... you guessed it, Catholic churches. They are everywhere and each as magnificent as the last. I will ask my contact here if there is any synagogue(s) I can look up.

I was dropped in the old city which was cobblestone everywhere. The streets were narrow and all the shops closed as it's Sunday. It got increasingly colder as the sun started to go down. The driver who took me to town told me if I want somewhere to eat, go to Dacos. I thought that was probably the docks (as it did turn out to be). I walked for some time, bought a local Vodafone SIM, and then cabbed it to Docas. I had a lovely salad and two beers then back to Solplay. I am now two or two ... two cab drivers neither of whom knew where this hotel is. This berg is even more expensive than Kampala and dinner with 2 beers was 10 euro or about #13.50 CAD; I guess that is not too bad.

I am going to get some deli meat, cheese, lettuce, buns, and mustard and take my lunch most days I hope. I will also get some fruit. There was something going on this weekend and all the EPL football games were postponed a week. I heard it was something to do with Europa cup; I cannot imagine EPL can schedule games then have them canceled at the last minute by Europa ... going to call the Doc then do some work for a bit. I caught up some sleep this afternoon, so I have slept 4 hours since last night about 11PM .

So little time so much to know

Guess this has been a red flag for Lina over the past 2 days ... no posts since the 3rd! That's an extension of how busy I have been in Uganda. So I worked away feverishly with Ivan, George, and Charles most of Friday, though did get "home" at a reasonable hour. I am making progress with the RAC install big time now that the servers are ready.

I got up 8'ish Saturday, thinking it was 11'ish and was not surprised I slept so late after being up all night Thursday. I had the hands of the clock reversed and it was actually 5 to 8 not 20 to 11 :). Stupid muzungu. I called Joseph who told me he was not working until 11. I asked him to call me when he gets to Kampala as he lives in Entebbe, some 40 minutes away. I worked and waited, and even watched some cricket on TV. I called Joseph about 11:30 and he picked me up. We went to the Oasis mall and there was nothing open except Javas so I had some chicken.

I asked to be taken to a craft shop after eating, and Joseph took me to a market where there were 20 or 30 vendors and I picked up stuff for the ST and a few others. I got Sean a really neat __________ and Paddy a lovely _______________.

I had received email from Tiberius saying that he and Gerard decided I should fly to Lisbon ASAP and spend a week there then fly home. I waited to act upon that until I could chat with someone and Gerard and I spoke about 3PM. I surfed the web looking for fares from Kampala to Lisbon then back to Ottawa, then the next time Gerard and I spoke we decided to look into Kampala --> Lisbon --> Kampala. So guess where I am going Sunday September 12 after spending a week in Lisbon ... you got it ... Africa. I will go there and finish off the RAC install.

I picked up a return flight for ~$2100 CAD and left Saturday at 10:50PM. When Joseph picked me up his family was in the car ... 3 beautiful children and da wife. We had a nice visit as we headed to the airport and I told the youngins many michaelabbey lines.

I bargained with a duty free guy and got 10% off a few purchases before my flight. I scored 3 seats together at the back of the plane which was 30 minutes late leaving. I knew that would be a problem since I only had 75 minutes between planes in Brussels. I spoke with a flight attendant and when she found out where I was going, moved me close to the exit from the plane so I could get out quicker.

Speak about customer service ... one of the guys meeting the plans calls out "Lisbon" and as people say "Ya me", he tells then to hurry. No offer to golf-cart us there, just advice. My Lisbon flight leaves at 7AM and I hear this announcement from the Brussels Airways guy at 6:35. I ask how long to get to A42 and he says 15-20 minutes. I have to clear passport control and then dash to A42. On the way there is yet another security checkin and guess who they picked to search my carry-on ... you guessed it.

I make the flight just as it is getting ready to close and get seat 3F. A couple was sitting beside me but since the first row was empty they were moved and I had the row to myself. Don't you just hate the DH's that recline the backrest, especially when in front of a bulkhead some 3-5 feet in front of them. I have started jostling the seat backs of these DH's as I get out of my seat. The lady gave me a dirty look when I "accidentally" bumped the back of her seat quite hard when I went to p__. Sorry; oh OK, you can infringe on my 14 inches of breathing room, shortened to 8-10 inches with your set back reclined. So get over it. I will be bumping your seat back at EVERY opportunity and encourage readers to do the same to the self-centred DH's.

I fondly remember an Air Canada flight attendant who passed the economy cabin many times between Ottawa and Frankfurt once asking the DH's to please pull their seat backs up as the room was so tight. So here's the drill:

- get up, banging into the seat back
- move towards the aisle, oops, bumping the seat back again
- go to facilities
- upon climbing back into seat, grab back and pull firmly
- bang seat back heavily enough to wake me up at an IOUG board meeting
- one last firm hip swipe just before sitting down

There is NO customs or immigration at Lisbon, then I realize I am traveling from one EU country to another. Guess who did not make the flight? My bags! I wait until the carousel finally completes and go file a lost luggage report. Guess what the guy tells me when he find out my name ... "Oh ya I was notified your bags did not make the connection; I was going to call you on the PA and save you waiting for them, but I was too busy". They supposedly arrived on the 11:45AM from Brussels.

The taxi line was long and I had the pleasure of getting the only driver in the queue who did not take plastic AND got lost. He told me he knows the city very very well, except the part where he was taking me (and the part he was taking the next fare and the next fare and ...). The hotel is nice and the room HUGE with 2 balconies. Breakfast is included which is great. I will shower and change is my bags ever arrive, cab it into the centre of Lisbon (with camera) and dine and walk for a bit. John picks me up at 8:30 tomorrow morning.

I came this close to a debacle-free trip from Entebbe; that's why the plane was delayed long enough for me to not get my bags. That was the airline industry's last kick at me; had my bags arrived I would have had my first debacle-free flight in over a century ...

My first date

I had lunch with a guy that David Teplow turned me onto. Apparently I met him a number of years ago when he lived in Boston and worked for David's company. We caught up with each other and ended up at a Thai restaurant that was very nice. He as well is in IT and finds business brisk in eastern Africa. We chatted on and on about business in general and in Uganda in particular. He has a lot of contacts in many places especially the Kampala area. He was intrigued with what I told him about my experiences in Ethiopia.

I was summoned to the office of the people I am working for here and we had a pow-wow with a few others and made some plans to get the server work finished so I could install RAC as soon as possible. It is now 3:30AM and we are still going strong.

There are no street lights as well

Along the lines of the non-existent torrential rain storms that happened yesterday, I was also told there are no street lights anywhere in Kampala. You will never guess what lined the side of the street last night when I walked to dinner. Not having had Asian since noon yesterday, I walked to Fang Fang for dinner last night. The dregs of the heavy rain were still in the air. It takes the city a long time to dry out after any size rain storm as there is so much soggy gravel at the sides of the road and in the potholes.

There is a looming possibility I may head to Lisbon Sunday morning for a few days before returning to ST-land. I will know more by the end of the day today. I am lunching today with Nowa, someone David T. turned me on to. David is funding the lunch so we will probably buy a car on the same invoice. Nowa tells me we have met before in the DBT days but I do not remember.

And it never rains in ...

In honour of my arrival in Kampala, and after being told there is never any huge downpour, it rained heavily for quite a while today while I was out for lunch. I have been told of drizzles and light sprinkles but that's all ... not anymore. I had a quick chat with Melaku today and told him I would keep him posted on my trip back to Canada in case I end up in Addis for longer than 4 hours. I have been watching the early rounds of the US Open tennis event and there have been some great battles already.

Good morning Vietnam

I heard from Ms. Hien and they are ready for me to come back for my second mission. They are suggesting sometime in October. I will push for early in the month or very late so I can hang with the Sweet Thing while she is between trips (October 14 to 31 or so). She said they were very pleased with the work I did and it has assisted solving their performance issues. When the dust settles I will discuss this as well with Freebalance after we see how this Uganda voyage has gone for them.

It would be a lot of traveling but the ST would be away anyways so I will try to negotiate maybe Mongolia and Lisbon with a 2 week stay in Vietnam before coming back from southeast Asia. Not to mention the need to see Avi after he arrives in Calgary ... the nouveau grandson :).

A night to remember

I enjoyed my upgrade in the condo we are staying in. I moved into the room with the better shower :). Today I got back to being a normal person ... 3 meals and off work by 5:30PM. I returned to Java's for breakfast, then lunched on traditional Ugandan food with Ann from work. I had been told the local fare is very bland; I'll say. One gets two plates ... one has an assortment of vegetables, the other a soupy broth with meat of choice, all surrounded by banana leaves. Ann pointed out these were not the sweet banana leaves, rather those from a close relative of the familiar desert variety ... and I quote:

"Most people, except a few who live in urban centers, produce their own food. Most people eat two meals a day: lunch and supper. Breakfast is often a cup of tea or porridge. Meals are prepared by women and girls; men and boys age twelve and above do not sit in the kitchen, which is separate from the main house. Cooking usually is done on an open wood fire. Popular dishes include matoke (a staple made from bananas), millet bread, cassava (tapioca or manioc), sweet potatoes, chicken and beef stews, and freshwater fish. Other foods include white potatoes, yams, corn, cabbage, pumpkin, tomatoes, millet, peas, sorghum, beans, groundnuts (peanuts), goat meat, and milk. Oranges, papayas, lemons, and pineapples also are grown and consumed. The national drink is waragi, a banana gin. Many restaurants in large population centers serve local foods."

With a diet made up of mainly root vegetables and other grains and beans, Ugandans' life is probably summed up by two words ... healthy and regular :). Ann also said the traditional food varies based on the district of the country. There are 80 districts spread across 4 administrative regions. One of the guys I work with lost 3 friends in the terrorist attack on 2 separate rugby clubs last July 11 in which 74 people perished.

Dinner was Chinese at a place close to where I live. The Fang Fang came well recommended and the experience there led to the title of this post. No, it was not the food (which was excellent by the way) nor the length of time between ordering and consuming (close to 40 minutes) ... tada! The "night to remember" is because I managed to eat rice with sweet and sour chicken without spilling ANY FOOD on my shirt; what a concept.

As the dust settles

I am suffering from the fallout of working too much ... you remember that old cliche ... all work and no play -- affects the Oracle DBA. My stay in Uganda is going to be extended since the work at hand cannot be finished up by end of day tomorrow. I will be here probably throughout this week and maybe as late as a week Tuesday.

This will also give me some time to:

• start eating regularly again
  
• see some of Kampala
  
• do something other than work
  
• buy stuff

I switched rooms at the condo this morning for a better shower and lots of hot water. I stopped for breakfast at the coffee shop today and will continue to do that all week. The most number of people I saw on a motorcycle was 3; still far exceeded by the 5 I once saw in Hanoi. It's so weird driving on the other side of the road. I looked in a stopped car yesterday blocking our way into a building, and figured out the car was empty ... actually there was nobody in the passenger seat :). Security everywhere is pretty tight here. Since the July 2010 attack in Kampala, it has been beefed up big time I have been told. It will probably slacken a bit the further away we get from that date. They have mirrors to look under vehicles and it's ferenge not locals who get frisked even going into a shopping centre.

A nice day, considering

Work work work work ... we encountered an insurmountable hurdle early morning and got absolutely nothing accomplished today except a ton of googl'ing this and that. The work continues minyana.

I got out with Ivan for lunch which was one of my bigger tastes of Uganda. Based on the time we have spent at work, those tastes have been short and infrequent. Today from 5 until now has been the first time since Friday I have really had any free time.

We went to a nice restaurant for lunch. As normal, he kept swerving into the right lane to avoid rough road and world-famous potholes. They make Queen Mary road look palatial compared to these. We chatted about his life and he has a masters in information technology and is very well versed on the goings-on in the world outside Africa. They use a lot of medium-sized stone for stair cases and walls in the parts of Kampala I have seen. There is some brick but not much. That reminds me of construction in Vancouver ... apparently on the coast there is no clay and hence a very minimal brick manufacturing industry. Based on their weight, I imagine the shipping costs would be prohibitive, making it impossible for anyone to make any money.

Eating out is not cheap, and I threw $42USD at lunch for 2. I think for what one gets at a restaurant in big-city Uganda, if one included that in the cost comparison, eating out here is cheaper than in Canada by 25-30% maybe more. It rained today and it reminded me of a very light Canadian drizzle that can persist for days in a row here or there. Ivan told me there are no torrential rain storms here as I may have experienced in Addis Abeba.

Start your engines

Godwin picked me up just after 10. We ended up at the familiar coffee hangout where I got java and a bite to go. The streets are already busy with people scurrying everywhere. There must be other coffee places in Kampala, but we always seem to end up at what must be the most convenient. We ended up at the Freebalance office and it looked for a while that Godwin did not know where we were going. Arben assured me he knew all our spots but maybe not.

He asked one of the security guards for assistance and lo and behold, a quick left turn and we arrived at PSFU. The RAC install continues and we are making headway though there are many many challenged ahead. I eagerly watched US Open tennis on Sports 10 this morning then realized the tournament had not even really started yet. At a commercial break, the marquee flashed US Open 2009 which did not surprise me. Hopefully I will be able to find these games on the same channel all week, if I have any time between RAC-this and RAC-that.

Never before on shabbat

That was quite a day that Saturday August 28th ... I was up by 8'ish ready to be picked up by the driver for 9. He was a little late. We dropped Sofet at the office and I headed out with Joseph for a bit of shopping. The first bank machine we went to was closed but I managed to score many shillings at the next. I picked up water, some soap, and a few treats for the driver's kids. Then it was off to IPPS (aka the office) for what turned out to be quite an adventure in Oracle land.

This RAC offering has been around for many many years but it's install still is mystifying. It is about 90% if not more prep and so little actual work with Oracle itself. Many of the concepts are quite foreign to me. I am working with a local named Ivan who can weave his way through most of the stuff that confounds me.

Unlike my jaunts into Ethiopia and Vietnam, I have done nothing but work. My little trip to the shopping centre yesterday plus a few additional drives have been my opportunities to see Kampala. Ann from the office suggested my going somewhere to hear some local music tonight but I cannot foresee finding the time. I got home about 9 last night and crashed almost immediately. It's more of the same today. I will gather my thoughts at the end of the day and update my contact in Ottawa.

Erev shabbat

My first one in Uganda. We had a very nice lunch at a local posh hotel in the Serena chain (Venus would be so jealous). We entertained the client (i.e., the Government of Uganda) and I met some very nice people. I had a nice chat with a gentlemen who appeared to be my senior (if that is possible) about the Amin years and how unpopular he was and always will be. There were some very challenging years after that regime as well. Things are pretty good here now in comparison.

There is a dinner party at the compound tonight hosted by Arben from Kosovo and I am looking forward to meeting some people. Apparently there will be some habesha food (remember, native Ethiopian) and that sits just fine with me. I was given the Luganda name for "ferenge" but already forgot it. Please stand by and I will get it again ...

First impressions

It was hard to tell what was going on as I got in well after sundown. Joseph picked me up at the airport. We were late getting out of Kigali for some reason. The announcement made to welcome the new passengers in Rwanda mentioned that the jet was now proceeding to Entebbe then Brussels. Say what? This pilot had just completed an 8 hour flight to Rwanda and was now going to take it to Brussels? Ever heard of crew fatigue? I just finished marveling at that and the purser came back on and announced a crew change would happen in Entebbe.

The streets were close to deserted. Entebbe airport is about 40k from Kampala. They drive on the other side of the street here (or the ONLY side to quote Carl Dudley), and of course stupid ferenge went to the wrong side of the car. The roads were bumpy but paved and very dark. I have been told there is next to no street lights in this country. There was a handful of scooters on the road, naturally nowhere near like Hanoi. There were gas stations everywhere and the prices ranged from 2800 UGX (Uganda shilling) to close to 2950. Today there are 2,250 UGX to the US dollar, so that works out to about $1.29 to the litre, about 35% higher than at home.

The condo I am staying in is nice, and everyone has a private bathroom (George would be jealous). The internet proved to be a challenge at home, but is much stronger in the office. My short list for what I need is just that (short): a bar of soap and some local currency. We are having lunch with some of the government people and then the work commences. There are 2 guys from Kosovo I am living with for now. Sofet is returning home tomorrow. Kosovo is one of this company's installations for their government ERP solution. The electric plug here is odd, similar to what we experienced in Nairobi. I have tried the MagicJack connection from my computer and it works fine. I will speak to my ST this afternoon and even ask her to try calling me at its 613 number.

I had no cell phone service for the short time I was in Rwanda; here I am hooked up to the Zain UG network, obviously a competitor to the more popular MTN provider.

I have arrived

The internet at the compound is not great, but a lot better than much of my experiences in Ethiopia. I have a long post on my other computer about the trip here yesterday which I will post from the office today. It was yet another adventure into airplane-land and fraught with surprises of its own as most of my voyages have become. I slept remarkably well considering the 7 hour time change and we are leaving for the office soon ...

The next saga ...

So from my most recent experiences with flying, I reported a number of debacles with trips to and from Africa and southeast Asia. I am pleased to report that this escapade to Uganda did not disappoint. Usually the debacles wait until I have left North American soil. Not so fast my Sweet Thing says ... she showed up at the Ottawa airport to a whole new breed of debacles when on her way to Kenya. They had her first and last names reversed and it was touch-and-go as to whether she was going to be allowed on the plane. She did get on finally, which is a nice segway into my new debacle. She had a plane to get onto where as I did not. My flight to Laguardia was cancelled. Even before I got past security, while I was trying to check in, we noticed that I was flying into LGA and out of Newark!!! At first it looked as though in only had 1hr40m to pull off this transfer. Not even close.

So after a few attempts, I spoke with the travel agent who booked this journey and she pointed out I actually had 3hr30m for the transfer. So I checked in and went to US customs and Nexus was working but there was nobody on the other side to grab the form on my way through. So I stood in line with another non-Nexus pleb, and when an agent appeared I handed him my card and told him I needed to speak with someone about something and he escorted me to the customs desk. This was the part where I was supposed to show them a utility bill to establish my residency in Canada. The agent thought I was from another planet and sent me on my way.

Now I am feeling relieved as the debacle was over. Little did I know it had not even begun. I bought a salad at the immensely sub-standard establishment inside US security. I was so pleased with myself as I booked a ride from LGA to EWR with the firm I have used many times in NYC. Out of the side of my ear, I heard the tail end of an announcement about a flight cancellation ... me??? Yes indeed buddy. The 1:40 to New York was cancelled. Oh joy. Having caught only the tail end of the announcement, I needed to ask another unfortunate cancelee (is that a word?) for details. I found out that the attendant was going to lead us back out of security and we would have the pleasure of retrieving our luggage. From there we were instructed to go back to US check-in (since that is what got us here), and work with Air Canada as they tried to get us out of Ottawa. The bags are out in 15 minutes. On my way out of security, this extremely clever ferenge cancelled his limo at Laguardia.

I get back upstairs and wait my turn in the line which moves well. They book me through Montreal to Brussels. Just like all my other debacles, the outcome of this one is favourable. We are about 90 minutes from Brussels and I have spent most of my time watching podcasts on my iPad. I am especially taken with a series of math tutor podcasts I found. I now know how to multiply any two 2-digit numbers in my head :) ... just what every ferenge needs to know. By the way 89*89 equals 7,921 in case you were wondering and yes I did do that in my head. In case that was not enough to whet your appetite, 56*32 is 1,792. The only person I can think of that may be the least bit interested in my new found skill is Shauna. I know for my Sweet Thing that math is not as intriguing as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; not even close.

So we get to Brussels a bit early and it looks like every other airport I've have been to recently. I start the great signage game as soon as I disembark and it's better than some other places I have been but not great. I walk 15-20 miles then take a bus to transfer area T. I already tried to get exit row but that did not go well. She moved me into the centre four seats mentioning that I would stand a better chance there of nobody sitting beside me.

Stupid ferenge

So after noticing that Kampala is close to Lake Victoria, I assume that Victoria falls is close by. I look on Google maps, and find it's in Zimbabwe over 1,100 miles away. Maybe not a short day trip ...

Ready, set, go

Packed and all set for the start of the voyage just after noon Wednesday. I keep taking less stuff every time; I have a Samsonite garment bag and a small piece of checked luggage not much bigger than a carry-on. I was told the dress code is business casual mainly with a tie. I did bring a suit in case we end up chatting with some senior government officials which is a possibility.

I have my final meeting at Freebalance today and met a few of the players. I got the low down on Uganda and, since I have already spent close to 8 months in Africa, it was a bit of a different take to the same story. They have a condo in Kampala that I will be staying in, with housekeepers but no cook. There are cooking facilities if I am so inclined.

I will go to the airport about 11:30AM for a 1:40PM flight, I must stop at US customs and show them something to "prove" I left the country. As odd as it may sound, when my most recent TN visa expired in May 2009, I was supposed to give back to the border patrol when I left the country but forgot. When I show them a utility bill, that will satisfy them that, since I am a resident home-owner here, I have not taken up residence in the USA.

And now for something completely different ...

I got my itinerary for the voyage and the 3 of the 4 long hauls are Star Alliance ... yippee 'cause we do all like air miles. I fly to Entebbe through La Guardia, Brussels, and Kigali (Rwanda). I fly to Lisbon through Addis Abeba and Frankfurt, then home from Portugal again via Frankfurt. I will be home at 3:50PM On Wednesday September 8, erev Rosh Hashana at that :). So I will celebrate the 48th anniversary of my Bar Mitzvah in transit.

I know next to nothing about Uganda and Portugal but am going to find out shortly. I am thinking of picking up an iPad before I go to keep up with my son Ben :). I got some information from the client and the RAC install will be 11gR2 which is HUGE. I am lining up documents from MetaLink to assist and plan on contacting at least 2 colleagues ... one D. Norris type the other a B. Bizarro type. I already know the plethora of assistants and checks about the RAC infrastructure are part of the RAC install starting with this release of Oracle. I will also get to hone my skills on ASM ... automatic storage management.

My wife's little girl returns from Israel today. She is in Toronto pending the excitement of the touchdown of the jet bearing her Jess. Unfortunately Jess is landing at Newark and leaving NYC via JFK, though she does have a long layover. This reminds me of something that happened to me in NYC a number of years ago.

I checked out of a hotel in the AM, and asked the front desk person to reserve me a ride to LGA for 5PM. I get back to the hotel, hop in the waiting vehicle, and start the trundle to LGA. On the way, I am amazed by the scenery; it's so brand new and a veritable exploration of new surroundings of Queens. As we approach the port, I see a JFK parkway and think how sweet it is that there is a parkway that goes from LGA to the other major Queens airport ... JFK. As we approach the terminal, I do not recognize the buildings, especially the old-style United hangar one sees entering LGA; oh well, must be another approach route. I get dropped off at terminal 7, after having told the driver "Air Canada", and proceed to the lower level ... no Air Canada and no partner United desks. Say what? I look around in disbelief then ask a suited attendant for assistance. She asks "where are you going" and I respond "Ottawa from La Guardia". She exclaims ... "you are at JFK". No wonder this all seemed so strange to me. I cab it to LGA with lots of time, and learn yet another lesson (listening Bakes?):

Never get into a pre-arranged limo, especially in NYC, without confirming one's destination with the driver.

Uganda you say, click here ...
Portugal you say, click here ...

I will be in Kampala for the first week, then Linda-a-Velha in Oerias, a neighbourhood in Lisbon, for the second, some 20 kilometres from the middle of the city.

This is going to be a work-work-work stay in both places, working Saturday and Sunday as well.

Same old story, same old ...

Planning for jaunt #3 into as yet unseen territory. A week in Kampala Uganda followed by another week near Lisbon Portugal ... I am working for a firm out of Gatineau QC called CIA. I told them they would be much bigger if in the US :). In Uganda from Thursday August 26 until Wednesday September 1 (the 48th anniversary of my Bar Mitzvah). Then I am off to Lisbon from September 1 until the 8th, then back home. I will be working for CIA until late September. A well worn cliché ... when it rains it pours. I have 2 and a half opportunities at the same time. I believe 1 to 1.5 of them will be waiting for me when I finish up with CIA in late September; that may indeed go on longer too.

So one thing I know I am missing from my portfolio is an Oracle feature called RAC. I was told today that I will be doing a RAC install in Kampala. I have asked the client whether it is 10g or 11g as there is a big difference between RAC for those two releases. I do not have my final itinerary yet but I may be going through Addis Abeba both or one way. If I have enough time I will go into town and visit a few buddies. I would need a visa which I would get before I leave.