May 12, 2006

I don't think a flight out of Baghdad can be hassle free. The Rhino run went as planned. It was actually quiet that night. Usually there are a lot of people heading out..not this time. We got to our room..woke up on time..everything was going as planned. Then our ride to the airport didn't show up until 40 minutes later than anticipated. There was an emergency he had to attend to and still had to attend to so our driver switched out on the way to the airport and we got there with less than an hour to go before our flight departed. The flights have been overbooked lately so this was seriously stressing us out. Of course, they have since our last flight, beefed up security, so at every metal detector I had to have my bag checked thoroughly. The tri-pod I packed was setting off flags. It didn't matter that I told them what it was, they had to remove everything from my bag each time. I also ended up using my charm to get Mike and I to the front of the lines. I think the only reason we made the flight was because it was delayed. I don't think we would've made it had it not been. Lucky us! Things were a little out of the ordinary at the next airport also. Even though we were completely switching airlines they wouldn't give up our baggage. They made us stay in this little area of the airport and return to the counter when it was time to check in. Knowing that our bags were traveling around the conveyer belts without anyone tending to them was worrying us! It looks like they made it on though. (Whew!) I must admit that Mike is handling traveling much better this time. I was actually the one freaking out in Baghdad. (I did not particularly enjoy showing up so late..especially when I saw the long line in front of us...)
Now we sit in Dubai..I found an internet connection..and there are only 4 hours left to wait until our next flight. We've noticed that things are considerably more expensive here.. Yeesh!
Better get going before my batter runs out. Will keep you updated!