LAYOVER STORIES — t-shirt

Antigua Surprises

Antigua Surprises

February 1989. Earlier in the day, while sailing from Anguilla to Guadeloupe, the winds were calm, and my shipmate, Larry, a Madison Avenue ad exec, (whom, I coaxed into taking this journey), and I decided to drop anchor and have late breakfast. (Neither Larry nor I had much sailing experience, other than several small sojourns on Long Island.) As we came to a stop, I told Larry to release the anchor.  Quickly, the chain spilled out fast, and despite the windlass, the chain had jumped onto the gypsie and ran out to the bitter end before either of us were able to react. Stupidly...


Afriqiyah Baby!

Afriqiyah Baby!

In November of 2008, I was working for an aid organization in West Africa. They had me bouncing around several countries, but mainly between Mali, Guinea, Cote d’ Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. Back in London, my sister Annabelle was getting married in two days. Despite telling her I couldn't make it, I managed to move heaven and earth, and found a window of opportunity. The idea was to show up, surprise her, (along with the rest of my family), lots of kisses, and toasts all around, a storybook happy ending. Enter Afriqiyah Airways, (pronounced Ahh-freak-ya), the Libyan state-owned airline, based in Tripoli, it was...


The Glass Bucket Club

The Glass Bucket Club

File under: Pilgrimage 
Upon landing in Kingston, Jamaica, find a reliable means of transportation; taxi, rental car, whatever is easy. From Kingston Airport make your way to Norman Manley Highway. Stay on it for a bit, till you get off at Sir Florizel Glasspole Hwy, then continue past the roundabout onto S Camp Road. (You will pass by Sumptuous Desserts on the right side). Keep going until you are on Oxford Road, but only for about 1 kilometer. You are not in the parish of St. Andrew.  Shortly coming up on your left you will...


Dispatch From Africa- Lome, Hotel De La Paix

Dispatch From Africa- Lome, Hotel De La Paix

Dispatch from Africa:
 
Hotel De La Paix 
Lome, Togo
Feb, 11, 1976
 
Caroline, 
Greetings from Togo, a sliver of a country located between Ghana and Benin!  Apologies for not writing sooner. I hope all is well back home. Our flight from Paris, was delayed, resulting in us missing our connection in Dakar. Instead of waiting three days for an another Air France flight, we were re-booked on Air Afrique, (West Africa’s own airline). It was most impressive. The plane was new, and the service was top notch, all making for...


CAMEROON AIRLINES VIP ARRIVAL-THE GFOS

CAMEROON AIRLINES VIP ARRIVAL-THE GFOS

CAMEROON AIRLINES
MEMORANDUM (INTER)

Date: May 8, 1975

To: Cameroon Airlines, 
All Douala Ground Personnel and Securite
From: Douala Operations- Cameroon Airlines

Subject: Arrival of Mr. James Brown

This is to inform all airport personnel the American entertainer, Mr. James Brown, will be arriving this afternoon in Douala Airport aboard. Cameroon Airlines #UY710 at 18:15 PM. Arriving From Dakar (via Lagos and Younde) B737.

Upon arrival of the aircraft, the boarding steps will rolled to the aircraft, and Mr. Brown and his party will exit first. After disembarkation of the aircraft...