I dropped Erik off at the airport a little after noon today. It has been a busy busy week getting him all read to go! I think by the time he actually got to the airport, he was just so overwhelmed by everything going on, he didn't even have time to get excited! I know that once he met up with his travel buddies, it probably seemed more "real" and created a lot of excitment for the three weeks ahead!I just checked on Erik's flight online and it looks like the flight left a little earlier than scheduled, putting them in Tokyo a little earlier than planned. The flight is 12 hours long and with a little bit of food poisoning left over from yesterday, I really hope that Erik makes the flight okay (...let's hope he's able to get up and go to the bathroom whenever he needs to!). Maida and I miss him like crazy already! Maida didn't want him to leave and even tried to stap herself into his suitcase!!! (See pictures below!) In case you are interested, I have posted his flight itineray below. He will also be doing work in Mongolia (along with lots of siteseeing), after spending a few days at the Olympics in Bejing, so I put the itinerary for Mongolia below too! Lots of prayers are appreciated!!!
Erik's Flight Schedule...
depart - Aug 10 - 03:05pm - Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
arrive - Aug 11 - 05:05pm - Tokyo (NRT) Northwest Airlines 19
Miles: 5953 - Aircraft: 744 - Elapsed: 12.00 hours
depart - Aug 11 - 06:45pm - Tokyo (NRT)
arrive - Aug 11 - 05:05pm - Tokyo (NRT) Northwest Airlines 19
Miles: 5953 - Aircraft: 744 - Elapsed: 12.00 hours
depart - Aug 11 - 06:45pm - Tokyo (NRT)
arrive - Aug 11 - 09:35pm - Bejing (PEK) Northwest Airlines 29
Miles: 1313 - Aircraft: 744 - Elapsed: 3.50 hours
Miles: 1313 - Aircraft: 744 - Elapsed: 3.50 hours
Erik's Mongolia Itinerary...
Aug 14 - arrive in Ulaanbaatar, check into apartment, free time around Ulaanbaatar
Aug 15 - work in family clinic in ger area, observation of ger areas in Bayangol district
Aug 16 and Aug 17 - tent camping at Uliastai-Ovortiin shugui
Aug 18 - work at a child identification center and visit "Zaisam Tolgoi" Russian soliders monument
Aug 19 - travel to Terelj Tourist camp and sightsee, stay overnight in local tourist camps
Aug 20 - travel to Chingis Khaan monument and to a 13th century tourist camp, return to Ulaanbaatar
Aug 21 - free day, prepare for trip to Bulgan
Aug 22 - travel to Bulgan (through Erdenet)
Aug 23 - visit/work with nomadic families in Bulgan
Aug 24 - work in Bulgan
Aug 25 - travel back to Ulaanbaatar
Aug 26 - work at Psycho-social rehabilitation and life-skill programs for former Commercial Sexual Exploitation girls, shopping at Flower Center, see a "Tumen Ekh" traditional performance
Aug 27 - depart for home!!!
Aug 28 - arrive home (YAY) just in time for our wedding anniversary!
Oh Kara-- It would be so hard to have him gone for so long. How do you do it? I am so fortunate that Joel never does that. He is not a traveler and he hates going places without us. Thank goodness. I would go crazy. You are a better women than I! You should come and visit us while he is gone. We have an extra bed if you feel up to it.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy to let him go sometimes. But I knew what I was getting into when I got married!! Erik's a crazy-man! I just pray a lot and hope for the best. I can't wait until I'm done with being pregnant so me and the kids can go with Erik on all of his adventures!! :)
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