As a result of actually being involved into a european consolidation project I had to travel to Turkey last week.

Last time I was there was back in 1992 and for a duration of 3 weeks. Doing a roundtrip there I had the chance to get quit a good impression about the country itself and the people living there.  What I’ve found there back in 1992 was a very interesting country and a lot of rather friendly people living there. Nontheless many things were different and a lot of them remained strange to me though.

Now this time I’ve headed to Istanbul only and therefore I’m for sure not able to give you an overall feedback of todays situation there. But once again I met very very friendly people there and enjoy my short and sweet diving in there very much.

The general appearance is still the same, but people appeared much more "western" alike today to me. Since years the Turkey is keen and willing to join the EU and the majority of people there really seems to be willing and happy to do.

I had quit a few really enjoyable conversations besides work, even scratching this and a few others similar topics and really enjoyed the ideas and argument I got to hear. Sure, I’ve mostly dealed with people my age and also mainly with folks working in my area of expertise or generally within the IT business. But for my feeling really the general background has changed there.

And therefore thinking about their wish to join the EU I have to say .. why not?

Sure there might be still things not fitting in very well or other things (in our eyes) which still needs to get improved! But I rather like to deal and talk with friendly people again and again, trying to improve or adjust things, than to bounce and maybe turn them grumpy instead.

I’m aware about I haven’t posted here for a while …. feeling guilty of course. But it was mainly caused by preparing for a longer trip and a few weeks being away. Now this trip has already taken place and I’m right on my way back, sitting at Changi Airport, Singapore actually.

At the end that is why I call todays posting "waiting"! Waiting, is plainly what I do actually.

But friendly people over here at Singapore have turned nearly all the town and the Airport in some huge Wifi – Zone where you have internet access nearly everywhere (ok, it needs a carrier contract though).

But back to the trip. It was for sure a fabulous trip to do and I very much enjoyed my time off. Most of the time I had company by oversea friends travelling with us. And to be honest that was what I’ve enjoyed most.

It is a great thing to do such a long and exciting trip. Seeing things other people might never get to see in their life. But the companie of friends and sharing this experience with them is some real priceless experience for sure.

It is really not like I could see or speak them all day long. Virtual perhaps, but personally nearly never. Now seeing, touching and interacting with them day by day was like a dream for me. Sadly even the most beautiful time in life is meant to end some day.

Nontheless, thanks to all my friends making it possible to travel with me. You taking time was a priceless pleasure and gift of life for me.

Thank you!

Michael

From principle I like to travel with Qantas and I did quit a few times already. So earlier this year I called them asking for some connections and later on did book them then finally. So far so good ….

The day after booking there were some questions and at first they insisted on placing my wife and me into two different aircrafts, but after talking with them again all was solved soon and I got the obvious email confirmations send by them.

Now this was in early february … 

Since then they called me at least up to ten times re-scheduling flights and time lines again and again. One time they told me that now daylight saving was adjusted in their systems and therefore the departure time would change one hour.

Since when do we have this confessed "senseless" daylight saving time change?!

Anyway, they are friendly, helpfully and do care …. Just I wonder why the hell it is that difficult to arrange some flights – especially when i give them so much time in advance.  And what I really do not understand is why they call me and make me confirming and repeating the info that a flight departure time has changed 5 minutes. Hey, I could and would read it within their emails of course, no need to treat me like a 5 years old.

Guess it is just to ensure I can’t sue them in case I would miss the flight though.

With May 1st, a public holiday here in Germany, falling on a Friday this year, we had another long weekend again.

Using time off best possible, we drove away catching up with a few couples at Bavaria close to a town called Bamberg.
Bamberg itselt is a lovely town directly situated at the River Main, with a picturesque "Old Town" and a lovely surrounding around.

 The folks we were going to see are all friends we did meet first, once back in 1993 during a trip at Greece we did all start as strangers to each other. Since that time we are committed friends and year by year we make effort coming together and seeing us again.

It is a strange and fascinating thing and for sure a strong relationship between all making it possible, all coming together on an ongoing base again and again.

Catching together this year,  even had a pleasant more reason on top, as for Astrid one of our friends living there had given birth to Kilian their 2nd son only 4 weeks ago.

Guess you are able to imagine, that catching up first, more or less were a wild "hallo". Over and over we had heaps of things to share and about a few things we did there together, spending time with each other was the aim. And you can be sure that we had a rather good time there together.

Curious topic besides…. little Kilian the one or other time feeling and being grupmpy with things and life in general and having the tendency to cry as the appropriate way to share this news with us … always relaxed and smoothed again when I started to hold him. Quickly recognised by his mum I soon started to become her "preferred method" of choice to become little Kilian quiet again.

Not I would have mind that in general, but not being used to it in general, I could not say I would mind no longer being in charge anymore.

People knowing me are aware about at this time of the year I get nervous. Not for any bad reason of course. Instead it is more the fever of being able to ride my bike again soon.

Ok, since last year I do own two bikes now, but everyone will certainly understand that I’m actually speaking about the real bike for sure. Apr, 1st and the seaon does open for me and as for weather forcast isn’t bad for next week, it was of course a real "must" for me going out and awake Suzi.

Having slept now for 5 month it is always a bit of work getting her alive again. But once again in days I recognized how good it is to know people or things and their little peculiarities.

So knowing abou Suzi does like a slow and smooth start for sure, I went out and did take her out of the garage for fitting in the battery first. The battery was charged all time by a perment battery loader and therefore it was nothing I had to worry about.

Fitting the battery in was done in minutes and being aware about it is a good thingy, I did put the tank valve in "pre" position then strolling for the car and the wires to give Suzi a jump start though.

Even charged the little bike battery did the one or other time not last until Suzi had decided to start the engine again after the winter break and so it got more or less a well known procedure connecting her with the car for the very first start of the engine again.

Having all connected, I decided to wait another half hour or so to give the carburettors (Is this the correct word? I’ve looked it up) a chance to get flooded with fuel. Then finally coming back from a relaxed cup of coffee it needed me 3 or 4 tries and the engine did run.            (comment: Guess neighbors were also happy about!)

And in about two days – given the weather is fine – Suzi and me will be out for the very first ride of this year! Thats tops!