Today is Sunday or at least I think it is Sunday, September 30, 2012 :-) 

I am officially down under after almost 30 hours on a plane.  I have safely settled into my hotel room on the Swan River in Perth, AU.  It is 2:30 p.m here which is 2:30 a.m. at home.

I am happy to say that there were only minor hiccups on the entire adventure.  All planes arrived and took off on time.  Our team met for the first time in LAX and we were fed great food by the airlines.  Today I even ate two breakfasts -- yes two -- one on the plane coming in to Sydney and one on the plane going to Perth.  Now you know why I am confused.  There is a two hour time difference between the two with Perth being behind.

I met some very interesting people along the way.   Kim, my traveling partner from UNCG tells me that there is just something about me that makes people open up to me....well, was she ever so right!

On the first flight from RDU to Charlotte I sat with a blue collar worker from Michigan.  He works for Ford Motor Company.  I sat for almost and hour and listened to his perspective on how bad the economy was and how our government is broken.  I sat and reflected over the conversation and decided that I was going to let this trip be a listening and learning opportunity.  I am being exposed to so many people who do not think like me.  Interesting guy....

My flight to LAX from Charlotte was bizarre and yet purposeful.  I truly feel that God put me on that plane for Michael.  My seat at the last minute was changed...Ann Davis please come to the ticket counter!  Kim and I were separated on both flights.   I went and was asked if I would like to have a window seat at an emergency exit.  I said yes...better than where I was assigned squashed in the middle of a row of four.  This is where I met Michael.  Michael was a white male from Newport News, VA.  He was on his way to China to see his fiance.  The minute I sat down he began to pour his heart out to me...how he was so bitter and angry with his wealthy parents who emotionally abused him...how he traveled with the Grateful Dead for years before his heroine addiction landed him in rehab...not once but 4 times.  He talked about how he was missing something in his life...how he was empty.  Needless to say I witnessed to him.  I even prayed with him.  I am not sure he believed or not but he shared his life with me -- the drug abuse, alcohol abuse and sexual addictions.  He was starting a clean life with a girl from China whom he found on the Internet.  He had proposed, been sober and clean since March and was very much wanting to bring her home to the US to begin a family.  He so wanted a HOME not a house.  He was an independently wealthy man who had any material possession in the world but did not know God, family, love, happiness, etc.  We talked to 3 hours and then he slept -- the first time in days he said!  I pray Michael will find the peace and love that he wants.  I hope my witness will cause him to think and reflect.  I know it did for me.  He made me dig deep to explain my faith.

The plane from LAX to Sydney was lots of reading, watching movies and sleeping.  The plane was huge and so very comfortable.  I had a row seat and was served a great dinner.  I bought the NO JET LAG pills and did exactly what they said on the box....it worked great!  I feel great!  I took some Advil PM on the plane to sleep and I slept about 6 hours straight (soft blanket, squishy neck pillow and eye mask --- thanks Christina).

The plane from Sydney to Perth (5 hours) was tiring...yes...by this last leg I was tired of airplanes.  I graded papers and watched a movie and visited with my new colleagues on our tour.  I have so much to learn from these smart people!  I can't wait to get to know them better.  I'll tell you more about them tomorrow and the purpose of this tour.

Well, that was my trip here...I missed Saturday completely.  I got on the plane on Friday and off on Sunday afternoon.

I have exactly two hours from now to shower and meet up with my group to go to dinner -- all you can eat at Miss Maud Swedish Restaurant.  So I better sign off. 

Hugs and kisses to my family -- I love you guys!

No worries mate....I'll be back on later!

Ann