We have touchdown

Hi, Mr. Buffett? Can you pick us up at the airport? We're baaaaaaack!

It didn't go exactly like that, but our arrival into Omaha's Eppley Field went smoothly. Whether through Minneapolis, Phoenix, or Denver, a majority of GSM students have arrived here in the Heartland of America, where a booth in the terminal reminded us that we could purchase Nebraska beef in the airport (naturally!) on our way home.

My travel comrades and I successfully collected all of our baggage (phew!) at the carousel and spent the next few minutes getting acquainted with Omaha's chilly weather as we waited for what proved to be an enlightening ride to the Courtyard Marriott. Our driver let us in on the fact that, among other things, we drove in and out of the states of Nebraska and Iowa various times on our short trip from the airport to the hotel. He also pointed out the city's famous history as a Union Pacific hub and the fact that Northern Natural Gas (what would become the doomed Enron) had its start in Omaha. There was no need to mention Mr. Buffett it seems. The 200-mile hill "range" to the north was far more exciting, as it is unique to this country (only China has a physical phenomenon to rival it).

So here we are in Omaha, Nebraska - an eclectic midwestern city! As we dropped below the clouds on our final descent, I began wondering how many people in the plane had some connection to Warren Buffett. After all, my grandmother had laid out the six-degrees-of-separation for me: her cousin's daughter's husband's mother plays bridge with Buffett. How about that!

Meeting Mr. Buffett isn't about just the handshake or the picture. Those are nice tokens to take home and share with family and friends. It is more about coming out here to Omaha with incredible people - a hallmark of the GSM program as far as I am concerned - to meet an inspiring man. Just on the plane flight over, I've already gotten to know at least three GSM Working Professional students whom I had never met before. This, to me, is what the trip is all about - sharing in the experience with my classmates and having the great honor of meeting the Oracle of Omaha.

Until tomorrow......