• Surprisingly, there was no immigration or customs at the Frankfurt airport. No one looked at my passport. Of course, people looked at it multiple times in the US. The business class lounge was filled with free food and drink. It killed me to not be feeling up to taking anything. Margaret has noted that I love anything that people give for free. I’m trying to learn that sometimes “nothing” is better than something free.
  • I made it to Cyprus but my bag didn’t.  I figured that was the most likely outcome since they told me to switch flights in Pittsburgh just a minute before we boarded. It took me quite a while to fill out all the information and I didn’t have Irene’s phone no. so she was waiting right outside customs wondering what happened. It all worked out fine and hopefully they’ll bring it to me tomorrow. They gave me a packet of items like toothpaste and a razor. I carried in my backpack mostly what I needed for teaching the class and my iPhone, iPad, Macbook Air and cables, no clothes. I guess that shows my priorities.
  • I’ve been surprised at the extent of the British influence in Cyprus. I was expecting almost everything to be Greek with a small British part. But they drive on the left, they use British electrical plugs, and just about every sign is in Greek and English (except “Stop” signs which are English only). The signs to me are like flash cards to learn Greek. I almost knew the Greek alphabet before but am even closer now to having it down. I read as many signs as possible to learn as much as I can. My final exam will be at the end of the trip in Athens when there will be no flash cards.
  • I’m staying in an old style British colonial hotel, which is great. They left me off at the hotel around 6 PM. I felt better but was severely lacking sleep. My goal was to fall asleep as soon as possible then get up for breakfast. They’ve invited me to hang out with them tomorrow to see the town. It’s in the 50s and was raining but not any more.
  • I’m used to getting up around noon, which is 7 PM here so I’ll be getting up around 12 hours earlier than I’m used to. In March I’m going to Korea, India, and China, which are 12, 13, and 9.5 hours ahead respectively, so this is good practice.
  • My son believes that you should immediately adjust to a new time zone. My goal is to forget about the 7 hour time difference  except when I want to call home. I called Margaret using iChat Instant Messaging service with audio chat. The sound quality was amazing, better than when we call each other at home.