From Düsseldorf (on my way to Bhutan)

Checking in from Dusseldorf where i'm getting close to the end of a ten hour layover before my next flight to Bangkok departs. I then have a twenty hour layover waiting for me in Bangkok.

Everything has gone relatively smoothly thus far, and of particular note was the kindness and generosity of Air Berlin, my flight carrier for the journey to Bangkok. Because i'm bringing a bunch of supplies with me for the school in addition to my very large keyboard, I stepped towards the Check-In counter with three overweight suitcases and my overweight keyboard. In particular, I want to thank Mike Martomick and Safa Johar from company headquarters in Florida, along with everyone at the Air Berlin counter in JFK International for their help and kindness. My excess luggage fees (could have been a minimum of $400 in fees and probably more) were waived, as Mike had called in advance on my behalf after several conversations that I had had with him and Safa.

After so many of you contributed money, enabling me to make my journey to Bhutan and purchase various supplies for the KILU MUSIC SCHOOL, now, Air Berlin was also contributing a great gift towards this endeavor. So, a big Thank You!

So, I told you i'd write a bit about how my fundraising efforts have gone thus far. I am so grateful for all the wonderful contributions i've received. I've been fortunate enough to be able to fundraise approx. $5,000. And it's a good thing, because my flight tickets and vaccinations alone came to about $4,300. That left me with approx. $700 to spend on supplies for the school.

Now, what are these supplies that i'm bringing....???

1. Lots and lots of sheet music, particularly books with pieces and lessons catered towards beginners, and children.
2. Several music history books, a small music dictionary, a book with ideas for music games for children (and the supplies that come along with the book)
3. Lots of Classical music CDS covering a wide range of repertory from Medieval to 20th Century.
4. 10 Recorders + instructional books
5. Portable Music Stands
6. Two music posters, one which presents all of the different instrument you'd find in Classical Music and a timeline poster with composers and important dates, places, events.
7. And i'm sure i'm forgetting something....

I purchased all of these items based on the priorities that the Kilu Music School outlined for me in our correspondence. I am hopeful that they will be pleased with my purchases.

As it turns out the expenses haven't stopped with the basic expenses of travel and vaccination. In particular, I had to purchase international rescue insurance ($900) that would make sure I can be transported out of Bhutan in case of severe emergency. So please do keep passing on information about my project to friends and colleagues and encourage them to make a contribution, not only so I can cover these extra expenses, but also so that we can purchase keyboards for the school.

Well, enough about money.

How about sleep instead...i'm writing because i'm hoping that it'll help me stay awake. I have another hour and a half till boarding and i'm fighting real hard to keep my eyes open.

Signing off for now...

Yours,

Noam

Here I go!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my Blog! This is my first entry and I plan on writing many more entries in the months to come as I hope to share my experiences in Bhutan with all of you by way of words, images and hopefully sounds.

I'm writing from Boston where i'm visiting my parents until the 20th of August. On Thursday, i'll be beginning my long journey to Thimpu, Bhutan.

NYC - Dusseldorf, Germany

Dusseldorf - Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok - Paro, Bhutan

I'm scheduled to arrive in Paro on the 23rd, and I will be picked up from the airport and driven to the Capital city of Thimpu that day. I expect to be exhausted!

I still don't think i've comprehended that in just a matter of days i'll be on my way, starting quite an adventure. In the meantime i've really enjoyed my time here with my family, getting a chance to decompress just a little bit after the remarkably hectic last couple of months in California. I feel great about the last few months in California. Aside from preparing for my job and life in Bhutan, and trying to wrap up my life in California I was furiously working on three recording projects, all of which I managed to complete with great success before my departure.

Thinking about my life in California, I am overcome with a feeling of gratitude for the gift that your friendship is. I treasure all of the wonderful friendships that I established during my seven years in California. And, as I was getting ready for this new adventure your support (both spiritual and material) has been so valuable and touching to me.

And, saying goodbye was really hard!

I'm going to sign off now and see if I can post this first blog and invite you all to check it out. I'll probably write again before I depart just to fill you in on how my fundraising for Bhutan unfolded and what i'm bringing with me to the Kilu Music School!

Yours,

Noam