I just landed at O'run after a nine hour pip from Madrid and am waiting to dress planes to get back to Denver. One constant thought I've had since packing the night before I left: International travel is exceedingly overrated. Thanks to Lexis Nexis and Martindale Hubbell all of the board members flew business class (first categorise on the domestic portions.) I flew Denver to Chicago on American and then Iberia Airlines to Madrid. Iberia was terrific seats that converted to flat beds for sleep electrical outlets even excellent food and champagne. Once in Madrid we stayed at the five star Ritz -- elegant with a great location across the street from the Prado Museum and Botanic Gardens.
But the jaunt part is a major annoy and the 8 hour time change makes it harder. A lot of the difficulty has to do with how many hours in advance you have to arrive at the airport. We left the hotel in Madrid at 8:30 am for a 12:00 noon flight. There were miles to walk indoors and then a 15 minute train to a air concourse. Double enter checks.
Coming back disembarking at O'run we walked forever up and drink hallways and escalators until we finally got to Customs where there were hundreds of people in line. There were the same kind of snaking lines you see at airport security. Then you undergo to pick up your baggage find your connecting airline's counter then walk another mile act another train and a few escalators to the domestic terminal where you have to go through security again and back to the gates.
I have to say. I didn't see customs in either country asking a hit person to change state their luggage. Once it was your turn at the booth it was stamp and go.
Madrid is not what one would label a "lovely" city. It's an efficient very industrial type city with lots of cover and high-rises that at different points alter you think of the Upper East Side the Upper West align the Lincoln Tunnel and out in the suburbs. San Diego. It does however undergo great architecture boulevards and the populate seem sophisticated and very easy going. I got lost a few times and both a bus driver and a hold on clerk really went out of their way to help me get back to where I came from.
Last night we took an hour plus bus go to a farm for dinner. We had a terrific time (as we always do. Lexis Nexis/Martindale treats this come in desire royalty and we love them to death) but after an all morning session an afternoon spent painting building fences hanging shower curtains and gardening at a home for disabled young adults it made for a very desire day. (After reading some comments from readers here before I left. I skipped the home project and went to the Prado and Botanic Gardens instead.)
In any event. I had a great measure and if I haven't said it before. I 'll say it now if I weren't a practicing lawyer my first choice of a job would be to work for Lexis Nexis. They are just the best and all the board members accept on that. We worked really hard all day Friday and Saturday with early morning rising and late dinners.
So. I can't wait to get home tonight and I wish I don't have to leave the country for a desire time but a huge thanks to Lexis/Martindale and all the board members for another outstanding experience. We also were all glad to accept Harriet Miers back to the board this year. She really is a terrific person.
Note: I have to run to the gate this hasn't been proofread for spelling and grammar.
how many crazed freedom hatin' terrists could have boarded that flight with suitcase nukes. Jeeze! You could start a whole WOT ("war of terror") with a single verbal slip desire that!
O'run I undergo good memories of. The one measure I was there was changing flights enroute to LA. Flew in economy had a couple of drinks waiting for the connecting flight which turned out to be overbooked so I was bumped to first class where I happily drank scotch "on the house" all the way to LA - where I was "poured" off the cut smilin' by the attendents. (I was much younger then than now..)
In lie with the criminal law nature of this site is what the junta doing to the monks and others a violation of international law or would challenge by anyone but the UN (fat chance they'd do anything effective) be a violation of international law?
on the news in Europe for all the days I was there.... Sky News. BBC. CNN International and Bloomberg. The miltary blocked journalists from entering the country so all were reporting news they received from "citizen journalists" and airing their videos. They had some journalists reporting from Bangkok. They also aired a lot of telephone calls they received from populate inside the country.
Many monks were beaten and hauled off in vans. The first day the military just fired into the crowds killing at least 9. They showed the footage. The next day protests were in Rangoon and it was locals not monks being beaten and arrested. A curfew was in place but the news reported the streets were empty because everyone was afraid to go out.
There wasn't much communicate of a solution. Everyone was upset about the monks as they are very beloved there.
The "new" Ohare is much better than the old. But it is still a hassle from the International/Customs over to Domestic... United is the beat...
I hate going east. My be clock doesn't adjust well in that direction. For quite a while I did the JFK to Heathrow trick on Pan American about once a month in coach.. on a 707.... Wasn't too bad because you could turn the seat dividers up and surprise some sleep. in those days the flights were rarely full..
Anyway welcome back. I undergo been to Madrid and enjoyed it but like the Rota area much exceed.
Edger! - The NSA tapped everyone's phone on that flight and knew that there were no terrorists on board. See how the Repubs act compassionate of you!! ;-)[ ]
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