UP IN THE AIR

I finally have internet at home. It is dial-up and slow, I can't use my webcam or VOIP yet but at least I have internet, for which I am glad. Now I can begin to update with our adventures here.

I have a hard time remembering that we have only been here for 3 weeks. Sometimes it seems much longer and other times it seem much shorter. I have so much already to post, so I will start from the beginning, our trip.

On Saturday, August 8, 2009 we left Houston Intercontinental Airport about 7:30pm for the first leg of our flight to our new home in Saudi Arabia. Our flight on KLM was an all business class flight. It was a 737 plane that had been outfitted with only business class seats. It only held about 48 seats total. Out flight wasn't quite full so there was lots of room and a very relaxing flight.

Our flight was almost 10 hours to Amsterdam, our first and only stop. One of the first things after takeoff, was they brought a drink and cup of mixed nuts, also a menu to make our choices for dinner and breakfast.

Next they brought out individual TV's with headphones. These had music videos, some TV programing, and regular movies to be watched. Michael and I were watching movies when they brought our dinner.

Dinner was a three course meal. It started with a salad and lobster appetizer plate, followed by the main course of your choice, then a choice of desserts. It was a very good dinner which we enjoyed very much.

After dinner we settled down to try to sleep. These seats reclined to make it easier to sleep. They didn't lay quite flat though. Mike was able to sleep for a while, I on the other had couldn't so I finally watched a couple episodes of MASH and then another movie.

About 2 hours outside of Amsterdam they brought hot towels to wipe our faces and hands, and then breakfast. It was again a very good meal. When done, it was time to land in Amsterdam.

We only had about a 45 minute layover here and had to change planes. Luckily we didn't have to recheck our luggage as it was checked all the way to Saudi Arabia. We did have to walk a ways to the next gate and then go through security again.

This leg of the trip was on a Airbus 330 and lasted about 6 hours. Even though the business class could hold up to 16 people there were only about 7 there. But the coach section was packed. I don't think there was an empty seat anywhere.

I liked these seats much better. After lunch I felt like I could sleep a little and was able to take a 2 hour nap. This flight fed us lunch and then a very good snack. I didn't care for the appetizer on the lunch but liked my meal very much. I also had a quesadilla for snack before landing and it was quite good also.

Finally we landed in Dammam Airport. I thought that the hard part of the trip was over but little did I know that the fun was only just beginning.