Home base!

Stardate: Málaga, 4:30 a.m. 23 December 2010

Went out for Chinese and beer with Joseca and logged a 1.5 hour visit to slumberland. Caught taxi to the Málaga airport. Note that flying out of Málaga is 49023 better than flying out of Madrid. Taxi driver from Sao Paolo. 20-odd years in Málaga. No traffic. Had exact change for the driver. Upon arrival at the airport Northern European couple still dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus who clearly just came straight from a party spotted. Feel good about the fact that I will not be flying hungover. Planes forecasted to be on time. Bag was exactly 23 kilos. Starbucks on the horizon. All things go.


Stardate: Málaga, 6:30 a.m. 23 December 2010

Starbucks in Málaga located inside the terminal closed for repairs. Situation adapted to by getting an americano and an apple from other café. Feel mature for not throwing a temper tantrum for not being able to get a delicious coffee of the week and hot croissant. Wonder what kind of gene Americans have been implanted with that makes Starbucks exhibit similar addictive behaviors to crack cocaine. Ipod fully charged, movies and series downloaded. Impressed at Iberia employees English during safety demonstration. Plane takes off over the Mediterranean.



Stardate: Madrid, 9:30 a.m. 23 December 2010

Starbucks and croissant acquired during 3-hour layover in Madrid. Shopping perused. Mild headache sets in. Woman at information desk grimaced when I ask if there is a pharmacy or any place that sells ibuprofen. Wonder at her purpose in life since she works at the information desk and is not inclined to provide information. Quickly spot 3 other American girls that, are with 89 percent certainty, are auxiliares de conversación. Cultural invasion. Watch a few episodes of Community. Read grammar book. Board plane and sit in the back, window seat. Only spot on the aircraft that doesn´t smell like the toilet. Score. Seat back and tray table upright and locked. Blanket and luggage in place. Window shade up. Take off.


Stardate: Somewhere over the North Atlantic Ocean, near 1:00 p.m. Spanish time. 23 December 2010

Immediately fell into slumberland upon take off. Woke up in time for dining service. Lunch is pasta with a red bell pepper sauce that was ridiculously good for airplane food. Cup of coffee number 3 drank. Get up for restroom break number 1. Man next to me has every kind of consumer electronic device known to man.


Stardate: Approaching Eastern coast of the Americas, near 4:00 p.m. Spanish time. 23 December 2010

Estimated flight time 9.5 hours. After emerging from slumber in which neck was twisted in swan-like manner, turn on computer to start watching movies. Note that only 5 hours have passed and start to feel desperate. Relax by watching series until battery runs out. Ipod on. Napping again.


Stardate: Approaching Eastern coast of the Americas, near 6:30 p.m. Spanish time. 23 December 2010.

Coffee number 4 drank. Wonder why Señor FNAC next to me has not risen to utilize the restrooms in the whole flight. Contemplate resisting urge to use restroom until landing to not inconvenience him, then contemplate the idea of going through US customs with a full bladder. Ask Señor FNAC to let me out of my nook to go. When seated again, contemplate the idea that he may be a world record holder for the greatest ratio of cups to coffee served to trips to the bathroom on a transatlantic flight. Contemplate asking for autograph.


Stardate: Flying down Eastern coast of the Americas, near 8:00 p.m. Spanish time. 23 December 2010

Panic sets in. Time to get OFF the plane. Oh hey! They´re serving pizza! Coffee number 5.


Stardate: Miami, 3:30 p.m. Eastern Standard time. 23 December 2010

Landed in Miami. Hypothesize that if Crayola made a salmon-colored crayon, an apt name would be "Miami Pink." Passport and resident card reexamined, luggage rechecked, security repassed, Claire re-cansada. Find out that US phone still has 25 percent battery. Make mental note to stop turning around and staring when American English is overheard.


Stardate: Miami , 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard time. 23 December 2010

Board regional jet for Jacksonville half hour late. Thankful that flight was routed through Madrid and Miami and not through northern Europe, where surely it would be half a week late. Sit next to a scruffy looking surf guy on return from Caribbean. Has fantastic tan but smells. Reconsider his income level when iPad is busted out. Struck with iEnvy. So tired that slumber was achieved whilst landing.


Stardate: Jacksonville, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard time. 23 December 2010

I SAW MY MOM AND DAD MY MOM AND DAD! YAYAYAY! Bag arrived. 1.5-hour car ride to Gainesville commenced. Taco Bell patronized.


Stardate: Gainesville, 9:30 p.m. Eastern Standard time. 23 December 2010

Arrive home! Christmas decorations up. Bath taken to de-swan neck. Consider taking up yoga. Beer drank. Reconsider taking up yoga. Pajamas donned. Fell asleep on couch until brother arrives at 11:00 from Pittsburgh.

Stardate: Gainesville , 11:30 p.m. Eastern Standard time. 23 December 2010

Hay is hit. All is right in the world.