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Hi. I've arrived in Dubai (home of the International Cricket Council, amongst other things) with no problems. We flew west over Europe, before taking a route over the Black Sea and over Iran, keeping just away from the Iraqi border. On Friday I said goodbye to Dad. Also, it was cheerio to Pete and Kirsty, who dropped me off at Park Farm, Hethersett. After the excitement of seeing Andy and Becky get married and shooting off earlier than I would have wished, it was off to Heathrow. Andy mentioned my imminent travels so had a lot of folk at the wedding asking me all about it, those I hadn't already told by that point anyway. (Suki, if you are reading this, then thanks for dropping by ;-) I only got 2 hours sleep before i woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. So ended up travelling down to Heathrow, with Mum, a lot earlier than planned. I was checked-in by 11am and through security. Took an age to meet up with Jenny, at Heathrow, but once I had we headed to the nearest Irish Bar for a glass of Magners Cider each. Think we hit it off straight away, but then we had been emailing each other for a while. Amongst other frank exchanges of our motivations, hopes and expectations, I told, once again, the story of Grace. She was most certainly a motivation for me planning to go to Africa one day,as many of you will know. Turns out that Jenny, too, knew someone special, a Great Aunt of hers, also called Grace. Soon after, we met Scouser Tom. Seems that nearly everyone I know is called Tom. He was unmistakable, even with his recently shaven ginger head. We were all soon laughing and chatting frenetically, wandering around Heathrow, killing time, before out 5pm flight to Dubai. Jenny had orchestrated that i sat next to her, while, by chance, two other girls, Adrienne (from Oz) and Michelle (from somewhere close to Windsor) sat in the seats ahead. We finally met up with them, after first trying to guess what they might look like and going up to random strangers asking if they were one or the other. Tom was banished to the other side of the plane, but at least we could ring him on the intercom. My high fibre meal was worthwhile and i think caused a bit of jealousy amongst the others. Of course, we couldn't eat until the sun went down - not sure if that is a Muslim or Arabic thing - but we were flying with Emirates Airlines. Amongst other things I stumbled upon Pirates Of The Caribbean AND highlights of the last Ashes series on my inflight entertainment, which made the 7 hours fly by, although i didn't manage to sleep. And now i am writing this, with Muslim prayers being conducted over the tannoy system. I might start hallucinating soon, but at least I am not taking Larium - the anti-malarial drug that gives you strange dreams - will have to watch out for Adrienne, there. Anyway, i think Tom has finally stopped talking and has started writing his journal, too. I've got to enter Tanzania as a tourist and pay $50 (which will be refunded later) as our visa exemption certificates are not ready on time - this is not a great surprise. Will have to get used to things happening at a slower pace very soon.
Next stop: Dar Es Salaam
Please let me know that you can all access this site and read the messages - and please send me comments - they will mean a lot to me - just remember that anyone will be able to read it so nothing incriminating (esp. anything to do with the wedding! he he)
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