Getting There is Half the Fun

I'm here! (Here being my grandmother's living room slowly clicking away on a dial up connection. I mention this so you all understand if I don't post every day). The trip over was pretty good. No terribly annoying, and/or extremely talkative person sitting next to me during the flights, and thankfully the turbulence was kept to a minimun. At least until I got to Argentine customs. But I'm getting ahead of myself...

I got to the airport on Wednesday morning really early, and the check-in and security process didn't take all that long, so I was going to have about a two hour wait for my plane. As I'm standing in one of the little airport stores saying a last goodbye to my mom over the phone, I see Al Gore walk past me and smile. That's right, I said Al Gore. Former Vice President of the United States. Really. So naturally I freak out and scare my mom half to death with all my "Oh My Gods!" After I assure her that there is actually no danger at the airport and explain the situation, she encourages me to go talk to him. So I do. As my friend Jill says, "Live life no regrets." I walk up to him while he's getting a latte at the Starbuck's counter and begin making an ass of myself. Because as it turns out that's what one does when one is face to face with Mr. Al Gore. I believe I said something to the extent of how sorry I was to bother him and how thankful I was for all the hard work he had done for the country, and how I had voted for him, and that I wished him the best. He was just as nice as can be. He called me dear and told me I was sweet, and that I wasn't bothering him at all because he "loved talking to folks." Frankly I think were it not for the blond he was with (NOT Tipper), and the mean looking security guard that kept an eye on me he would have hugged me. I immediatelly called 4 people to tell all about me and Al.

The ridiculous high I got from this whole experience was short lived though, because it was soon after that I noticed that my flight had been delayed another hour. Not the type of thing you want to hear after you've been in an aiport for over three hours already, and the lone source of diversion you had has just boarded a plane for his hometown of Nashville. Enter my awesome co-workers from Boxerland who just happened to call. Many thanks to Evelyn and Colin for keeping me entertained for some time at Gate 28. They're getting special souvenirs and a lunch date when I get back.

The time between that and Buenos Aires was quite boring. Board a plane here, sleep an hour there, try to tune out screaming children...I finally made it to Ezeiza Airport this morning, very glad to touch ground. Little did I know that an hour wait was ahead of me at Argentine customs. This happy experience was followed by a switching of the luggage carousel without notice to any of the passengers, and finally a man "accidentally" thinking my bag was his and trying to take it home. Grrr.....

But the important thing is that I made it, and that I've already seen all the grandparents and even a great uncle. Tomorrow will probably hold more family reunions and perhaps even a trip to my favorite park here. Hope you're all doing well. Take good care.