to Tanzania: London and Doha

Paul Allyn — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:54:17 -0600

I arrived in London at 7:20AM local (2:20 EST). It took 50 minutes to clear customs. Then it was pick up my duffle, get over to the North Terminal and check in with Qatar Air. They made me check my walking stick.

London was really sticky – or maybe it was the effects of schlepping around a 30lbs. duffle while waiting in line with a couple of hundred other travel weary people at immigration control. I kept telling myself, “I can’t make the line go faster by looking at my watch.” I was definitely worried about not getting the next flight. Of course, in the end I had plenty of time.

After eight hours of sitting, I felt good just standing – even is it was in a long queue. I tried to stand or walk whenever I could, even to the extent of eschewing the moving walk ways. It seemed to help with the long sits.

Qatar Air flew the same Airbus 330 that USAir did, but with humane seating. The down side was only four toilets for 196 passengers.

I arrived in Doha at 7:10PM local time (about Noon EST). The first out of the ordinary bit was we arrived in darkness. In Pittsburgh it doesn’t get totally dark this time of year until about 9PM. It was that dark when we landed. It was also 100F. I noticed as soon as I got off the plane. The planes are parked on the tarmac a couple of miles from the terminal and we were bussed to the terminal. So, down the steps we all went in to the 100 degree night air and dashed to the waiting air conditioned bus.

The other oddity – from my POV – was that we had to go through a security check point when we entered the terminal from the plane.

Last bit for now – the worst airplane movie I have ever seen – and my expectations are pretty low on an airplane – “Race to Witch Mountain”. Ugh. It made the flight longer. Yeah, well, too bad.

Tomorrow – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

God give you joy
Paul+

The Wandering Anglican: to Tanzania: London and Doha

to Tanzania: London and Doha