Travel days.

From Sunday:
I arrived at the airport this morning at 0430. Having not slept the night before, intended on sleeping on the plane to Ireland. It didn't happen. I waited 8 hours to get on the flight and when I finally took my Advil PM at 1:30pm I was out like a light. By my calculations we left the gate around 2pm, and now it's 10:30 East Coast Time. We've been in the air for 8.5 hours. I wonder how much longer we will be in the air.

I've had 2 meals on this plane. Both not paleo. The first was a chicken dish with one piece of broccoli and some salty noodles, the second was a small sammich with a delicious fudge brownie.

Oslo, Norway. We arrived here at 630am. The terminal is not open yet, so they let us off the plane to "stretch our legs" in groups of 30. I'm in the first group and as I walk down the steps the cold norgegian air sooths me. I keep to myslef thinking: so, here begins the suck. NO real relief here though. The plane refuels, they service the lavatories and we are on our way.

830am. The aircraft is broken. We were only supposed to be on the ground for an hour and forty. It has been nearly 3. Hopefully they let use stay here over night. That would be cool to go out and about in Norway.

Bucharest, Romania:
I'm still in a part of the world that for the most part is very cloudy and chilly. It's the first time they let us off the plane and go into a building in 2 days. I'm a little disoriented and tired despite getting lots of sleep on the flights. I really just want to wash my face and brush my teeth. I feel pretty gross right now.

I ate a baguette with some ham and stinky goat cheese. which was pretty good. Being in foreign countries, I feel a little like Anthony Bourdain. That guy is awesome. Bored and stuck in the Romanian air terminal.

The first thing that I remember thinking about Romania is that this is where those giant horned dragons came from in the Harry Potter movie. Pretty fun and interesting huh? Where do unicorns come from?

I met my commander. She's a nurse from the S.Carolina guard. She grew up in Lompoc- her dad was stationed at Vandyland. This stop I kinda got a feel for the people I will be heading out there with. These guys are generally really nice. Responsible. Generally smart, and not in the Army way.

Flying from Romania we traveled over a few notable countries including Uzbekistan, around Turkmenistan, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, home of Borat... Next stop Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Home of Manas AFB. Isn't that the country whose gov't is going to shit?

More to follow.
bh.