So AirTran had an article about Floyd.
There was even a mention of the crazy weird bird (or fish.. I clearly
haven't been enough) hat man. Crazy coincidence?
Qantas never ceases to impress. While
the online reservations are somewhat of a headache, literally, the
flights are magical. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that
we're on an A380 (also known as the “AirBus”... seriously...
google it) but it's just wonderful. I never thought I'd describe 15
hours of sitting still wonderful. Granted, I have been unconscious
for the bulk of the flight and no Benadryl was needed. I actually
feel asleep waiting to go brush my teeth, toothbrush in hand. Maybe I
should have slept before I left.
Nah.
Note to self: stop caffeine addition
before leaving the US. Having a caffeine headache on the flight is
NOT fun.
It's really interesting flying with
students who haven't experienced Qantas before (which is pretty much
all of them). The concept of getting a menu with fancy descriptors
for the foods is completely foreign. Adorable.
There's self-serve bars, unlimited
alcohol- the waiter actually insisted I take some Chardonnay after
telling him I didn't want anything... and I quote, “You need
something to do for the next 12 hours”. They also provided cozy
blankets and pillows. I'm not talking the terrible awful blankets
that Delta gives you where you have to choose either the chest or
legs getting warm, I mean a full size you-can-sleep-with-this
blanket. Magic.
The 10 hour layover in LAX was somewhat
miserable but it certainly helped meeting up with Kristin (TA for the
AUS/NZ combo program) and Mandy (AUS general TA). The LAX airport is
literally like a prison. It's got a circular format where the
sidewalks from terminal to terminal end in highway. The food options
are terrible and the charging stations are a joke. Absolute joke.
It's over. Done.
However, I did find an outlet in the
Delta terminal (5 for future reference). I literally set up camp and
answered emails and phone calls for a few hours. Exciting. However, I
did get my full plan for my day at DairyNZ which is REALLY thrilling!
I'm meeting with at least 4 of their researchers/Senior Scientists
(!!!) and they're providing me with tea time and lunch. On the list
are two Senior Scientists (the ones I was in contact with),
Sustainability Team Leader, Farm Systems Specialist, and the Project
Manage Effluent Services. Am I dreaming? Oh, wow. I don't know how I
get myself into these situations but I sure am grateful. I suppose I
really need to refine these questions for them. I have three weeks,
but I'm sure it'll fly. I never thought I'd be so excited to talk to
people about water quality and dairy farms... but here I am, losing
sleep over it.
Having studied the itinerary, it's
quite similar to one I posted earlier. It's going to be very
different from last year as Sydney is brand new to both Bob and I,
and we've got food and nutrition kiddos with the biology folks. It
rounds out to be 33 in all I believe, and if I've miscounted ..
well... I hope we don't leave anyone at the airport.
Compared to last year it's definitely a
more busy schedule and we've only got about 2 free afternoons and
zero free days... which I'm totally okay with. That means money saved
for me!
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