Leaving Arkansas

July 17th
We made it to the airport with two suitcases and four large plastic tubs. David and I said goodbye to the fam and our neighbor's son, who so graciously drove us the airport. (We didn't have a vehicle large enough to accommodate the load. Our flight has been canceled, so AA is booking us on another flight through Dallas to Guadalajara. Well ... the second flight has been delayed - no, canceled! AA agreed to switch us to a Delta flight. We leave in less than an hour.

To Atlanta in coach, but first class from Atlanta to Guadalajara. (We paid extra for first class in order to bring more luggage, increased weight limit, and comfortable ride.) We were served wine and given a hot steamed fresh towel to freshen up.

We landed in Guadalajara, but didn't pull up to the building. Instead we exited and boarded a bus which took us literally 20 feet and stopped to let us off. An international airport with a city of 7 million and we don't pull up to a gate? I could see two employees fighting with five large red plastic tubs trying to get them to cooperate and stay on the cart. The whole process seemed a little primitive.

Well, where is the bilingual representative from ASFG? Surely they know I'm the new teacher. I'm toting a noticeable amount of bags and I look confused and concerned. Regardless, I have a giant grin across my face. David and I continued outside and waited half an hour, then decided to catch a taxi to the hotel. You know the bags are heavy when two good strong men grunt when they attempt to lift them, and some somewhat familiar Spanish words exited their mouths. I was prepared to tip them well.

On our way to the hotel I remember thinking, "This city is alive." It was 1:00 AM and people were buzzing around, cars honking, music playing, and everybody had smiles on their faces. We checked in, carried some of our items upstairs to the fifth floor and plopped down exhausted. I was thirsty, but remembered, I can't drink water from the faucet. Even the locals don't drink it. It's not safe and I don't want to get sick, so that's it. Goodnight.