Most recent trip - Athens, Greece

Ok, one more round of pics before I hit the sack for the night. These are from our most recent trip up to Athens, Greece this past weekend. Was rather cold & rained off & on, but we didn't let that stop us (Thomas & I) from getting up to The Acropolis.


The Acropolis & Parthenon in the background. This was only about a 15 min walk from our hotel.



Entering The Acropolis.



One of many views of Athens from The Acropolis. Athens is MUCH larger than I expected.



Odeon of Herodes Atticus (theatre).



Old Temple of Athena.



The Parthenon viewed from the north.

View from the Maadi Hotel

Since I know that there are some of you who have been asking for pictures, I'll stay up a little while longer now that I figured out how to post :) These 2 pics are the view from the 9th floor hotel room I've called home these past couple weeks. Although the view is nice, can't wait to get out of here & into my own flat on Feb 1. Wendy & the kids will join me there on Feb 4 inshala (God willing)...trying to utilize some of the few words & phrases I've picked up to this point.

Oh, yeah, that is the Nile River in the foreground.

The Delivery

As-Salam Alaykum (hello or, more literally "peace be upon you"),

Bear with me as this is my first ever blog post. For this trial run I figured I'd just say HI & post this pic of me with my new bird, during his brief stop for a meeting in Rome a couple weeks ago. This was our (myself & fellow NetJets Furloughee, Thomas) first flight ever in Europe & we took delivery of this beautifully kept 2001 Cessna Citation Excel in Paris, France. From ther it was a rather short hop across the Swiss Alps into norhern Italy, to Milan for the night. Next day was onto Cairo, Egypt via this stop in Rome. Hope to get more pics on future flights once my head stops spinnig from all the changes.

My Morning Run Along the Nile

Party in Paris, Anyone?

By Mrs. Captain Rob.....

Sebac El heya.....(Hello)

Captain Rob arrived safely and extremely tired at Paris. While he chose the hotel he wanted to stay at, he did not fully understand how far away it was from the "Paris" that I want to see. So his report is that from what he has seen on his walks and taxi rides, it's as ugly, dark and dead as when he went to Russia as a teen. I wish he could've seen the "Paris" we see on movies :-) That'll be for another day!

Today, Monday, Rob met the owner for the first time. Rob said "he is a REALLY nice guy, Wendy, and so is his brother, REALLY great guys!" The owner speaks 4 languages fluently and is easily understoood (Arabic, French, English, Greek). Rob has seen the airplane prior to today, and had met his American first officer (Thomas) Sat night that he hired for temp basis until the Egyptian pilot (Anas) is all trained and settled in (3 wks - 3 months). He is very happy with Thomas. They flew the airplane prior to today and were very happy with the "cosmetics" (women's terms, it's pretty inside and out) and it seemed great.

Since they haven't signed all the papers yet, Rob and Thomas are not yet flying it. Two Americans from Ohio came from the company who sold the airplane to do the demo flights. They flew all over, enjoyed meals together, had a fabulous day!

Tomorrow they will repeat and sign papers (hopefully) then Rob will be the Captain officially ;) and he and Thomas will take it to Milan then Rome. If they stay "on course" they will arrive in Egypt on the 13th. Rob has 5 apartments to look at for us on the 14th and 15th.

We're all thankful for your excitement in this adventure...and covet your prayers!

No worries - I've already threatened Rob if he doesn't get at least ONE photo, he's in deep trouble! He's just swamped - and considering one more thing (like posting to a blog) is just too much right now, so you got my rambles!! :-)

Mahsahlemah, (bye)
Mrs. Captain Rob