- much miscommunication during checkout and difficulty catching un taxi al aeropuerto (not sure i spelled that right but thats ok because i don't say it right either)

- cluster f*ck at the colombian airport, no rhyme or reason to the lines inducing much waiting.

- through security requiring 3 bag searches and a nice frisking (she totally could've done better!)

- sitting, watching, waiting...hungry and thirsty. there ain't no airport chili's here!

- boarding of plane requiring yet another bag search. (all that and they still didn't find my smugglables, go figure!)

- on plane, no air, sitting, watching, waiting....still hungry and thirsty; sandwiched between two pickers. (*see definition of picker below)

- uh oh, el piloto announces that landing gear is all jacked  up. deplane and return to the gate.

- small cry with a few tears but mostly able to hold it together.

- re-boarding

- flight to miami basically uneventful except for the strong urge to vomit.

- extreme heat of miami airport causing sweat to drip down my chest and pool in my bra which was in direct contrast to our last time-served here where my teeth were chattering.

- cattle herding of passengers through security, opening of camera gear of both susan and i and the very slow and ginger caressing of each and every single-solitary piece of the 100, individually testing them for explosives. thank god i opted not to bring the explosives this trip.

- quick visit to el bano and procuring of snacks and diet coke.....the highlights of my day thus far.

- congested rail-bus drive to plane parked on tarmac but not before much circling and CB calls to find out which airplane was actually ours.

- boarding, after which more sweating, sitting, watching and waiting ensues.

- uh oh! the pilot announces there's an error light illuminated on the dash and he doesn't know what's wrong.

- greasy mechanic into cockpit with small toolbag

- passenger's huffy, pouting whining akin to toddler tantrums make for even more miserable waiting than necessary!

- greasy mechanic leaving cockpit carrying large airplane part.

- ready to fly?

- flight to jax airport basically uneventful except for the icecubes falling out of the vent and landing in my lap.

- contracted shin splints, sweats and pounding heart from uphill runs through jax airport with 50lbs of camera gear on my back to make certain susan catches her next flight.

- 10 minute sit in car, in silence, eyes closed, calming myself before driving home. now, this is the highlight of my day!

- 2.5 hour drive to tallahassee in complete and utter silence. no talking, no music....only the occasional cursing of bad drivers. peace!

- arrival at my diamond house, 8.30pm.  shower, cute girl, sweet and strong alcoholic beverage in waiting.

- under my soft cotton sheets and duvet....now THIS was the best part of my day!