Sunday February 3, 2013

Sunday February 3/13  Update #357
I may update this in Miami if they have free wi-fi as well.
It is Super Bowl Sunday.    Does anybody care?    I will be spending almost 24 hours getting home, mostly sitting in the Phoenix and Miami airports.  My only hope is that my ride shows up in Guayaquil at midnight or it will be a very, very long day.   My hope is to be in my bed in Cuenca by tomorrow at 4am.
I was awake at 4am this morning so I got all packed without rushing and had a couple of cups of coffee in the room.  I slipped down to get a luggage cart and loaded my 4 bags onto it then called my cab ride at 5:15.  He said he was already downstairs waiting!!  I am surprised he remembered to come by 5:30 because I didn't think he started that early and that I would be getting one of his other drivers.  This guy must work 18 hours a day because he says he gets 3-4 hours sleep per night.
He took a short cut to the airport so the cost was minimal.   I did not use the self-service kiosk because I had lots of trouble controlling the 4 bags and still got through really quickly even though the airport was really busy, which was surprising considering the early hour.  The checkout gal was fabulous, checking to see that my LAN connection allows two bags so I did not get charged any baggage fees!!  The day had started off exceedingly well as everything fell into place
I know it is an illusion but, the red suitcase without wheels that Bella had packed feels like 100 lbs compared to mine, and yet both weighed in at exactly 48 lbs and are routed right through to Guayaquil which makes me very happy.   Now I don't have to gather them and lug them around the Miami airport.   Having containers of salt and pepper in my backpack has caused curious looks and re-checks at security in Calgary and here, but no big deal.   I was shocked when I looked at my watch and saw that I had all cleared the airport procedures by 6:15.   So now I only had 3 hours to kill before my flight!
The smell coming from this breakfast shop Roadhouse Deli beckoned and this was the first reasonably priced meal I have ever had in an airport. The route to the gate has been very short too, not the usual trek to the farthest corner of the universe.  While Phoenix itself has been frustrating, the airport gets top marks for friendliness, good prices and layout.  
Update 5pm from Miami airport.    I seem to have temporary wi-fi so I am making use of it.  The flight from Phoenix was mostly uneventful.  I had the 17A window seat and luckily had nobody in the middle seat.  The guy in the aisle seat was sniffling and sneezing the whole way, into his hand, so I was careful to turn away at every outburst and avoided touching anything near him on the way out.
I had to check one of my carry-ons as well so I kept my backpack with the laptop and the new camera.  The Miami airport has a sign that says the outside temp is 72F but they sure keep the inside quite cold. I am almost sorry that I packed my jacket in the other carry-on.
Over 2 hours yet before we head off on another 4.5 hour flight to Guayaquil.   Then, if my ride shows up, I have another 3.5 hours or so to get driven home.
See you in Cuenca...........
That was today's excitement.   Hugs to all.