A Personal Note from the Author

I have had some interesting experiences in the many years that I have
traveled abroad, but I could have had many more if I had started when I
first had the opportunity. Many thousands of miles later, I can say
that I've enjoyed the ride. It has not been without its bumps, but
overall it has been quite rewarding. Each trip brings with it a
learning experience. If you have a chance to work abroad, it may be a
very enriching experience.

I first became interested in travel from the postcards and letters my
father sent home when he was a GI during WWII. His eight-day journey to
Europe from the States was by boat. I always think of his voyage to
Europe when I'm on the plane which takes hours, not days. My
experiences have been business-related whereas his were quite
different. Any GI away from home gives much thought to his home and
loved ones. The following is correspondence that I happened upon quite
by accident. It is a letter written by a US soldier from somewhere in
England to his son back in the States, two weeks before the Normandy
invasion. His thoughts were obviously focused upon returning home, safe
and sound, and whether he would ever see his family again.

Somewhere in England
May 21, 1944

Dear Son,
I received your letter of April 24 yesterday and very glad to get it. I
see where you all are out in the ground getting it ready for spring.
I'll bet the blossoms are really pretty this year as they have been many
previous ones. I imagine those towns around there will really be ghost
towns pretty soon if things go on as they have been lately. By the
sound of those colds, son, I think you will just have to have those
tonsils out. I understand you had a most enjoyable Easter and the old
Easter bunny did alright by you. You will have to get some new snap
shots of yourself and send them to me 'cause the only one I have with me
is the one you had taken last fall. You don't want to forget that now.

So Uncle is still in the mountains eh! He'll be coming out pretty soon
now that summer is on its way. At least, he will have to get out and
get some sunshine. Regardless what develops there is only one place
that I can or could ever call home-would be where I spent my twenty odd
years of life. I still think there is a lot of foolishness going on
somewhere, somehow. You continue taking care of Mom and keep her
spirits up. Keep pitching and I hope to see you all soon. You should
thank God that you are living in the United States.

Love,
Daddy

The letter was written to me by my father. He did return safely after
walking into France at Normandy and on to the Rhine River in Germany.
He was never the happy-go-lucky young man as before-the war changed him
as it had thousands of other men and women. Thanks to them I enjoy our
freedom in one of the greatest countries in the world. His landing site
on D-day took him near the French town of Caen. How ironic that less
than 50 years later I would stay at the home of British Major Fred
Tinsley, whose house sits within a few miles of where my father walked
ashore. My stay in Normandy was quiet and peaceful-made possible by
those fathers who were there also; some still. Much of today's
international travel and business has been made safe because of them.

Dealing with jet lag

Because I travel to Europe quite often, many people ask me whether I
have a special routine to handle jet lag on my various travels.
Everyone has a different approach, but the following works for me on
trips to Europe:

Day of travel

The last meal to eat is lunch (light). Most planes leave for Europe
from the East Coast between 6:00 and 8:30 PM, which is between midnight
and 2:30 AM European time. While on the plane, I bring along cereal and
raisins. I never eat the food served on the plane but do drink water
and juice. I try to arrive on an early flight getting into the European
city before 8:00 AM. This usually allows enough time to clear customs
and be in a hotel by 10:00 AM. I take a two-hour nap and am ready for a
luncheon meeting around 12:30 or 1:00 PM. This usually lasts me until
5:00 PM, when I go back to the hotel for a half-hour nap after which I
am ready for a dinner meeting at 7:00 PM. Then back to the hotel by
10:00 PM and to bed. The next day I start out at 9:00 AM (3:00 or 4:00
AM back home) and am on schedule. Coming back home (going west) usually
creates no problem or special planning. Of course, what works for me
may or may not work for you.

What not to do

A most embarrassing trip that I'll never forget was to Amsterdam It was
one of my first trips abroad and I made all the mistakes-ate everything
that was offered on the all-night flight over and slept very little.
The meeting location involved driving another two hours after landing.
I showed up at 12:00 noon to be promptly invited out to a big luncheon.
Around 3:00 PM the business meeting started. With little sleep, having
consumed large amounts of food, and a warm meeting room, I promptly fell
asleep directly in front of my host. He was most gracious, letting me
have a little nap, after which I continued our meeting (ending
successfully, I may add).

My host was very interesting, sharing some of the local history. He
remembers being seven years old standing on the street holding his
father's hand when the black boots marched into Amsterdam. Even these
many years later, he remembered and described it vividly.

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