SERIOUSLY overdue update

Hi my (hopefully) loyal readers!

It's been a long break, I know. Here's the update.

After we got back from Eastern Europe, I flew to San Antonio for walker's (my brother) high school graduation! Then I was back in Chicago, and very excited to get back to my forbidden fruit cotton apparel. In fact, I dont think i've worn any of my wickaway clothes from the trip once since i got back. I have moved into an apartment in Chicago and am enjoying living alone and getting to know my new city - which has been easy since i was unstaffed for the 5 weeks after i got back! So basically, I've been getting paid to not work. It's a rough life, I know. Unfortunately, the employment gods have turned against me once more and I am back on a project (but only for the next few weeks....and it's local).

I have visited several new airports since my last update, so i'll give you my thoughts on those. i know i know - you've been DYING to know.

Istanbul, Turkey (IST) - The Istanbul airport was pretty crazy. Our flight home to the US was at like 5am so we had to get there at the crack of dawn, which obviously was so much fun. To even enter the airport, you have to go through security, which we hadn't seen before. They have huge xray machines for the bags (since you have to run your checked baggage also) and then once through, you're in the main check in lobby. This raised several questions.

First, I think you're allowed to check weapons (guns, knives, etc), aren't you? So what's the point of security to get into the airport if you can still bring a gun inside and then check it later? Maybe these xray machines weren't looking for guns, but more for bombs and chemicals? I dont know - i didn't really want to get into that conversation with the charming non-english speaking man carrying a machine gun (although i'm sure he knew "gun" and "bomb" and i would have gotten the special turkish treatment for even saying those words)

Second, this airport is pretty nice (considering). They had an incredible lounge that we hung out in (thanks Lufty) pre-flight, and the breakfast buffet in that joint was just riduculous. Really everything you could ever want - including a close replica of the insanely yummy doughy cheese balls from the Zagreb train station. We downed some liquids, grabbed some rolls & mini-nutellas, and parked it. The rest of the airport was very modern and clean (granted there was hardly anyone there it was so effing early).

Third, not sure if this was a poor translation or a cultural difference, but there were some signs in the restrooms that were extremely strange. They said (in Turkish, with an English translation below). "Please help us conserve water, flush twice". Anyone??

Split, Croatia (SPU) - Not TOO much to see here - but still an interesting experience. We took basically every available form of transportation in and out of Split while we were there since we were there twice (train in, bus out, ferry in, plane out). The airport is REALLY far from the city, but Croatian airlines offers a bus service 1 hour before each flight (and you pay the equiv of like....well i can't remember but it was less than $10.00 US). The bus takes about 30 minutes (so of course you're freaking out that you are going to miss your flight, then you remember that everyone on your flight is on the bus with you....so doubtful they'll let the plane take off empty). Anyway - once you arrive at the airport, you check in, check your luggage, then go through security and you're....well, that's pretty much it. Once you go through security you're in a space with like 10 chairs (literally.....), and then a door outside (where you have to walk to the plane and go up the roller stairs). there's no water fountains, there's no shops, there's no cafe, there's no banos. The airport was pretty modern otherwise. very clean and everyone was very nice. although the security lady gave me a hard time when i had to leave the secure area to use the restroom before we boarded. i mean, what do they expect? They trick everyone into waiting in this empty room and then keep you there for like an hour. it was very crowded and we were seated near a couple that was....VERY in love. like as in all over eachother. charming.

For those of you who want out other thoughts on Croatia - you should check the other blog...we had lots of wonderful experiences there!!! There are also some thoughts on the FRA airport, and Budapest airport (even though we didn't ever get past the main lobby there....long story), and probably Dulles (though i can't remember much since i'd been flying for like 23+ hours at that point).

Hmm - otherwise...since i've been back, I've spent time in the DFW airport, the PHX airport, SAT airport, ORD airport, and BWI airport. All places i've blogged about before, from what i can recall.

Next up - several new airports for me!! I fly to CHS (Charleston, SC) on friday and will be there for a week. After that - BOS (Boston) airport (which i've been to but it's been years), and then TUL (Tulsa airport) whcih i go to every year and highly doubt i've blogged about despite it's exotic locale, then I'm goign to Thailand for a week, so i'm sure you'll get some good tales out of that adventure!

After that - I start school and will have to start traveling on Miles instead of with real money - thankfully i have a lot of those to tide me over until i start making a paycheck again. :)

So - I've had some questions of what I should blog about while i'm in Business School (since i wont have the exciting traveling lifestyle anymore - yay). Any ideas??????