A Day Off Produces This Little Gem...

The UN is just like any other bureaucratic organization.  They like their weekends off, so that is usually when I am off too, unless there is a requirement for VIP movement or a medevac.  I stay in a gated complex - called "Paradise" for some reason that totally escapes my sense of logic.  But I digress...

I have been back in to exercising.  Last year, I reached an all time high weight.  Not good for the over 40 crowd, so I decided to get back in to shape.  40 pounds later, I'm finally running without making my knees sore or getting shin splints. 

So today, my one day off per week that is "OFF" and not stand-by, I decided to get in a run.  I usually do circles around my complex.  Due to the nature of the roads here and the way people drive in DR Congo (think Mr. Magoo - only not as skilled), I find - er used to find - it safer to stay behind the gates. 

Well today during my run, what do I see slither out of the drainage grate?  A little snake they call Mamba here in Africa.  Nicknamed the two-step snake because, after a strike, two steps and you're dead.  It's a viper that certain scientific circles consider to be the world's deadliest snake. The guards quickly killed it, which was just fine with me.  I'm more of a dog person.

To quote Indiana Jones, "Snakes.  Why'd it have to be snakes?"

Anyway, not a fan.  I hate snakes.  All snakes.  Just sayin'.

Entebbe, Uganda

I thought I'd start out with something from right now.  There is so much to catch up on, I might as well start back with something fresh in my mind.

Yesterday I was in Entebbe, Uganda.  Why?  It's a logistics support base for The United Nations.  This year, I've been working as a mission support pilot for the UN in the MONUSCO mission - Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.  Entebbe is a place we fly to frequently, as many MONUSCO employees, contractors and NGO workers filter in to Africa via Entebbe.

Many people remember Entebbe from Operation Entebbe, back in 1976.  If you're not familiar click on the link and it will take you to a Wiki summary.  Basically, it was a hostage crisis that erupted from the hijacking of an Air France flight that originated in Tel Aviv.  The plane was taken to Benghazi Libya.  Afterwards,  Idi Amin gave refuge to the hijackers in Entebbe, Uganda.  After thorough planning, the Israeli Defense Force executed a near perfect rescue/assault that resulted in the loss of only four out of 260 hostages.  It destroyed the entire Ugandan Air Force and was a huge black eye for dictator extraordinaire Idi Amin.  Of course, this a brief summary - I encourage anyone interested to read up on it. 

Anyway, the old terminal/control where the raid took place is still standing and is close to where we park our aircraft when we spend the night in Entebbe.

Entebbe is an interesting place.  I will post more about it in the future.  

An-124 next to the old terminal and tower in Entebbe, Uganda 

Another interesting sight in Entebbe is the Ugandan Air Force Sukhoi 30 fighters.  We taxied behind one the other day.

Su-30 holding short of runway 17, Entebbe

Su-30 on takeoff roll, runway 17 Entebbe.

NEGLECT

This blog has been undeservedly neglected.  I owe it to myself and family to have it rise from the ashes.  Well, that's a bit melodramatic

Although the blog has been quiet, the last few years have definitely not been.  The last time I posted, it was about the story of a job interview with the airline I was hired to fly for in Nigeria.  Due to their inability to pay my salary on time, I was forced to search for "greener" pastures.  Nothing is more frustrating than being 8,000 miles from home and your salary has not been paid.  What is the point of being there?

I'll get more in to that later.  First I have to talk about the summer of 2010, when the storm clouds that were brewing. That summer was filled with bouts of bliss, melancholy, opportunity and finally despair. 

First, the bliss.  I had purchased a motorcycle to save money on gas.  It was my daily driver for a while.  Not a big displacement bike, just a 750.  Initially, my wife was at odds with me purchasing a motorcycle.  She didn't even remember that I had a motorcycle license.  My hard headed nature won out and I bought the bike.  About a week after, I talked her in to going around the block with me on it.  Reluctantly, she accepted.

From that moment on, she was hooked.  We made a point every single evening to take the motorcycle out and enjoy the wonderful Kentucky summer.  The area we live in is filled with beautiful back-country roads.  There are lakes, creeks, hills, roads with tree canopies, fireflies, the Ohio River and so much more.  Each ride was magical.  It was a way to leave the days stresses behind.  It seems like the time not spent on the motorcycle or with the kids was full of melancholy.

There were flying jobs, but most paid too little to justify.  I love flying, but will not do it just for the sake of flying.  Nothing comes before my family and the whole point of flying is to provide for them.  I interviewed with a small airline in Cleveland, but was shocked to hear that their Captains made less money than I made at Comair.  Shameful.  I was offered a job with a freight operator flying Commanders, but it was from Blueash airport in Cincinnati, which is easily 40 miles from where I live.  An 80 mile round trip, 5 days a week just wasn't in the cards.  I also turned down a job flying a single engine cargo route.  The time off just wasn't adequate enough to justify it.  I didn't mind my non-flying job and they were good to me, but I just wasn't happy.

Of course, neither were about 50 million other Americans who were either unemployed or underemployed just as I was.  It was time to stop feeling sorry for myself and get serious.

I found out about the opportunity to return to flying overseas, with a good salary and rotation and went for it.  As I've already written, I got the job.  It didn't turn out to be the best job, due to their financial instability (go figure, an airline with cash flow issues) - but it did get me current again and gave me another year of experience.  So for that, I am thankful.  It was a great opportunity at the time.  Before the opportunity came to fruition, everything was almost lost.

I nearly lost my wife, my best friend, my one and only.  She almost bled to death internally and had to have an emergency hysterectomy.  She had not been feeling well for quite some time, but the doctors kept prescribing her with iron supplements and said she was fine.  One day, she nearly passed out.  We took her to the hospital, where she received a blood transfusion.  She was sent home only to have the same problem 3 days later.  Only this time, she was worse.

She was admitted to the hospital and had a hysterectomy the next morning.  It was a very close call.  He blood count was so low, that doctors were amazed she survived up to the surgery.  It was very scary for us.  I don't know what I would do without her.

Thankfully, her Mom and sister came out while this was happening.  It was a huge help to have them there and I will always be thankful to them for all of their help.  It made all the difference during that scary time.

After the surgery, her recovery was amazing.  She was back to work within three weeks and was well enough for me to start my new job.  So with that, I resigned from Staples, sold the motorcycle (it was the end of the Summer anyway) and started the next chapter.