After taking two immodium last night I felt much better. I slept heavily from 10:00-4:15 then we sprang into action. We were in the van and on the way to the airport by the time 4:30 rolled around.

***

We had the immense privilege of enjoying standing in six different line ups before we were seated on the plane. First up was the check-in, which seemed to speed up as we went along. Next was to pay the departure tax ($31.60; I think a significant portion of the Ecuadorian GDP comes from this tax alone). This was followed by the interminable immigration line then a passport, boarding pass, bag search line to get into the waiting area. Finally, we got to the baording line and we were on our way. All in all, we stood in these various lines from over an hour (which is pretty quick, really, it just doesn't seem that way at 5:00 am) and basically had no lounging time from wake up to boarding. I guess we timed it just right.

***

We're currently flying over what I believe is Nicaragua. Looks pretty great. Maybe some other time I'll visit.

We flew alongside what looked like a rather large hurricane a little ways back (probably around Panama). Holy crap those things are huge. Remind me not to get trapped in one.

***

They're showing of the X-Men movies (I think it's the newest one). I can't even begin to describe how little I care to watch it. I think I'm going to drink my tea and take a nap.

***

That was a nice little doze. Perhaps I'll do it again in a bit. I think we're over the Yucatan Penninsula now. Sweet, sweet Mexico, I've missed you.

***

It's interesting to note that the height we're flying at (arond 1200m above sea level) is considerably less than half the altitude we were living at in Riobamba (2950m).

***

Ugh. If I thought the process in Quito was bad, Houston somehow managed to outdo it. They made us claim our luggage, enter the U.S. through immigration, recheck our luggage with the same airline, then go back through security. We didn't have to do all that on the way down to South America. What a pain. At least they were fairly quick about it. It took slightly longer than an hour. Oh well, it's not like we're in a hurry. Only 6.5 more hours until boarding time. I think I'll go for a wander.

***

We went for lunch at the airport E terminal food court. Lunch was pretty good for an airport food court, but what was remarkable about it was the fact that playing live music for us was an Andean folklore band, panpipes, charangos and all. Maybe I can get one of them to tune my charango for me... Actually, they were pretty bad. Maybe we got spoiled in Ecuador, but these guys sucked.

***

I went to find an internet kiosk somewhere in one of the terminals in the hopes of typing up the blog and checking email. I wandered for quite a while, realizing along the way that I could probably wander the airport for my entire layover and not go down the same hallway twice while still seeing the exact same things over and over again. I did finally find a place, but at 50 cents a minute and a 10 minute minimum, I decided to wait until I got home.

***

I've seriously explored every possible nook and cranny in this airport and we still have 3 hours before boarding. I just want to go home.

***

Thankfully, we finally got to leave Houston, almost an hour late due to an undisclosed delay.

I'm a little irritated with the airline for not providing free headphones for the movie like they did on the last flight. $5 seems a little exhorbitant, especially seeing as how they advertise the movies as being "complimentary." Oh well, I wasn't that eager to see "Akeelah and the Bee" anyway.

Regardless, we're finally going home. Somehow, though, our seats didn't match up on this flight so I'm sitting towards the back of the plane while Ross and Jim sit together near the front. That's fine. I got to meet a rather pleasant woman named Nadina who does recruitment for VCC in Latin America. She's on her way back from Colombia and Mexico.

***

And I'm home. What a long day. I'm so happy to see Laura and Jon.

We got back to the apartment, hunted through the knickknacks and all went to bed.

The trip is done. It was awesome, but I'm ecstatic to be back.

Stay tuned for pictures...