August 31, 2006

Back in Vancouver...

I guess I should have been writing something here earlier. Yes, I safely arrived in Vancouver, and everything is fine! I've been riding the bike, the sun's shining (mostly) and life is good. Classes start next week and I'll be taking a course :( (That was the abstract...)

from Beautiful Bavaria... (between MUC and Ingolstadt)

My flight was very smooth with only a 20 minute delay in Frankfurt because they had to unload some luggage, somebody didn't show up. I spent two hour lay over in Frankfurt mostly on walking through an endless tunnel and lining up at my Gate. The flight couldn't have been more uncomfortable, paying more for flying Lufthansa is a total rip off (but it was the cheapest flight for me). The only cool thing is the underground washroom compartment, you actually have to go downstairs to reach 5 or 6 washrooms. But there wasn't even a display for every passenger or any fancy electronics. This way I was at least able to sleep for a while, that BBQ at Björn's simply went on for too long! Unfortunately I missed out on the chance to test the in-flight wireless internet, but I would have needed a tiny 12" laptop to work comfortably on my computer in this narrowness. I slept over Greenland, but got some quite good photos of Baffin Island and the coastal mountains in BC. YVR, the Fraser River and Surrey were also nicely visible during the approach, while I only got a very hazy view of SFU. I could also clearly see the shadow of the huge A340-600's jet contrail on the water.

...over lots of blue water... (notice the jet contrail building up at the right side and it's shadow)

First thing I did after arriving was repairing my bike. The trails are in great conditions, almost too dusty. Riding is simply amazing here, especially on those well tempered blue sky days!

...over places to be... (Baffin Island)

But the best thing is going to happen on Saturday! is going to come back at 10:57 in the morning. She was working day and night throughout the summer and as far as I know she finished her part in a big project just in time! Applause!

... and places where I am.. (a mere 20 minutes to Vancouver - flying)

Thank you all sooooo much

Thanks to everybody who has been so nice to me at home. It was a great pleasure to see so many people, to get such a warm welcome and to hear everybody say "Michael, come back home!". Thanks to everybody who cooked for me, who baked for me, who bbqed for me, who made me feel like in old days. I am happy to have so many true friends!

... to Beatiful British Columbia! (This shadow kept on following us!)

And for those whom I haven't met, and all others, too, you are always welcome to drop in here! You know there's good skiing in the Winter, there's hiking, biking, climbing, you name it in the Summer, we will cook some "little spicy" indian food and have lots of fun. I have enough space to accomodate many of you at the same time, just let me know if more than two of you are coming at the same time, then I'll go out and purchase a couple more chairs ;-)

See you all at home sometime soon - here or there!