Day 100

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2010-09-18:
I had the great fortune to be asked and allowed to present at a conference in Melbourne Australia this past week.
It was kind of a whirlwind trip, however.

Thursday Sept 8 was like any other Thursday, hung over (like ten bears after a night of fermenting berry eating) from copious quantities of rum, shots of heaven knows what and more wings that you can handle .... wait - there was a C-Train problem and I got to the pub late.

Following a full day of work, I met Karen at Lord Beaverbrook HS and while she and Owen consulted on final casting for Tartuffe and The Pedant, I drove to the airport.

A loving kiss goodbye (thanks Owen) and a peck on the cheek and I'm off. It's the usual, drop your bags at check-in then drop your pants - err ... remove your belt - at security and then wait. Thankfully there's Creemore and NFL football.

A quick check at AC customer service to see if an upgrade is available - sure is, only $11,500.

Pass

Off to Vancouver, a scant hour and twenty away.

Upon arrival in Delta BC, i walk to the international departures in Langley. Plenty of time, and YVR has "free WiFi" - I guess. All it did was chew up my laptop battery.

Sydney is some 16 and 1/2 hours by Boeing 777. Except for the wings, coach is rather comparable to travelling in a Caterpillar 777 - in the box. But hey, there's the infamous AC flighty ... err in-flight entertainment system. "No worries", as the Aussies wou ld say, I have 8 gb of Home Routes artists on the fabulous iPod mini that Trevor gave me. Well, his AC/DC might be there too.

Fortunately for me, most of the people around me want to sleep. Crying babies? No problem, I have have Bose Accoustic Noise Reduction 2 headphones - and AC/DC at full volume.

After about 12 hours of sleeping and dozing, it's time to check out a movie. Hmmmm Blind Side. Let's see what all the fuss is about for a football movie. After investing 30+ minutes I find out, oh great, it's a chick-flick. No matter, I am commited now.

That done, I need a testosterone jump start. What luck, Iron Man 2.

Now those of you who have travelled Air Casual .... Air Canada recently will know that about 40 minutes before touchdown,

"only earbud type earphones connected to the in-flight entertainment system are allowed at this time". ARE YOU KIDDING ME? If I have any of those, there are in my bag in the overhead but that darn seat belt sign is on and THERE'S LESS THAN 20 MINUTES LEFT IN THE MOVIE!!!

Arrival in Sydney is as expected, grab your luggage, clear customs, follw the signs for Quantas connecting passengers ... hey wait. What do you mean I'm in the terminal lobby? Check-in all over again, take a bus across the tarmac to Quantas domestic, board, whew.

The Melbourne airport seems a nice place. Following the signs, I arrive at the baggage carousel area - just as my name is being broadcast over the PA. A quick check with Quantas baggage services reveals that my checked bag - you know the one with my kit, fresh clothes, etc - will be arriving on the 1:35 flight from Sydney (it is about 10:45 at this point).

Oh well, ATM for some cash (who knows if taxis take plastic) and off to the hotel.

Melbourne Grand Hyatt. Bloody grand is right! 30 foot ceilings, Euro decor, marble everywhere. Actually, it is a really nice hotel with great staff. The Collins Kitchen is a little imposing until you understand how it works but other than that. I get check-in and find my room which is again, very nice. Nothing fancy as hotel rooms go but upscale and well kept.

Now it's noon Saturday, my first commitment is Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and I am somewhat jet-lagged and sitting in Melbourne Asutralia. A quick check out the window reveals a river with green space not far away - let's go!