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Phoenix to Miami
I can relax a bit now. The backpack took some stuffing to get it in
the bin, but I can close my eyes now for a while. I'm wondering what
it will be like. There's a young boy sitting next to me. He keeps
bumping my elbow and kicking me. Accidently of course. He's curious as
to everything I do. His father, well dressed, downloads his very
impressive camera to a laptop that is his constant amusement. I'm so
glad it's not me! I feel already like I'm free to be who I want to be.
That I can go where I want to go. It's all in my head of course. Right
now I can't even stretch my legs out comfortably.
I'm looking out the window at the United States of America. My
homeland. I've driven most all it's highways. Ridden many of it's
byways and hiked the Pacific Crest and Appachian mountains. And yet
there's so much I haven't seen. I'm a restless wanderer and I need to
seek out new experiences, new places, new people.
Well...they're out here! The guy hitting on the stewardess. The fat
lady with too many carry ons. The arrogant, the nervous, the geeks.
I'm the only one dressed for the outdoors and I'm really not sure when
I will ever wear the dress I wore to Teri's wedding.
Will I fit in with the Captain and crew? Can I handle the sea
sickness? Did I bring enough bug spray? Can I survive malaria? Dengue
Fever? What if nothing happens? What if it's like heaven with no bugs,
no disease, no sickness or sorrow. Will those endless days of
snorkling along beautiful coral reefs and lounging in a hammock
stretched between cocnut palms on a white sandy beach become mundane?
Will I tire of the simpleness of reading books snuggled in a cozy bunk
and sipping hot cocoa?
What if it's not! What if it's all hell broke loose all the time. The
water tank leaks. The stove smokes up the cabin. The rigging bangs on
the mast annoyingly allowing no sleep. The waters are polluted with
oil and the officials are always boarding the boat and checking
papers. It's too hot or too cold or wet.
How long will it take before I wish I could just go home and
everything be as it was before? Or will I never want to go back! And
what does it mean to circle the globe? I can't stop at evey port! How
long does it take to really know a place?
Miami to Panama City
Met a lady while charging our gadgets from panama. She gave me a quick
run down of what to expect. Says it's absolutely beautiful in the San
Blas and the wind blows the mosquitos to the mainland! Told me what to
check out near my hotel tomorrow too! I got to tour the whole of the
Miami airport as the first delayed the flight two hours, then it was
on time at the other end of a mile long concourse. Then when I thought
we should be boarding, I noticed another gate change. Yes, back near
where I started. So far I've forgot my book in the car, lost a bottle
of water on the first plane and a salad in the Miami airport. I might
be able to keep the weight under control if I keep this up!
Panama City
Traveling solo is definately different than with a group or family.
There's more interaction. At least for me. I needed a taxi to the
Hotel Stanford. The first quote was $29. I told him that was almost as
much as the room, but he didn't budge. He kept saying "collectivo"
which I finally figured out meant I might share a cab with two more
people then it would only be $11. Since I didn't know two more people
who might just happened be staying at the same time, I put my pack
down and figuered I was in for a long wait! It really surprised me
when almost immediately they found a guy who would need a ride to the
cruise terminal which is in my direction. A couple others declined to
share, but it wasn't long when a lady needed a ride to the Hotel
Veracruz and we were on our way! It took a while, a couple toll booths
later, I realized it probably was a long walk and was happy to pay the
$11 and a tip.
The motel is a huge corner building. My room has tile floors and
marble top furniture. The TV cables hang from the two tone walls. But
it's clean and perfect for my rest day. I love the veiw from my 4th
floor window. I can see the plaza below with a round pool and a
triangle pool and a tall phalyx statue. It makes me think of the
Washington monument in DC. Taxis and buses slowly beep and brake their
way through the streets. I went out and sat on the bench and set off
my SPOT.
Sent from my iPod
