Finally

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Finally Cali, Colombia

Cali, Colombia

The night before we fly out to Cali and I have a hundred details to organize check and double check. We start by getting up at 4AM. Quammy, Jene’s friend agreed to drive us down to the Phoenix airport. I’m so excited that I decide to sleep in my helmet! I don’t know why I am so anxious to get on the road and get started. I have a fitful sleep, dreaming that I am singing in a rock band! That my friends is a nightmare!

We are up, and with a cup of coffee, a donut and fruit smoothy, we are off into the desert night. We get to the airport a little later than we had planned so are on a tighter schedule to get to the gate. Jene mentions how smooth the ticket counter and one bag check went as we approach the security corral. Jene is first to go through. While I am getting this new netbook computer out of the case and into the security Tupperware, I notice a slight back up at the end of the conveyor belt. Sure enough it’s Jene causing some sort of tie up. TSA is suddenly very interested in Jenes day pack. As i gather both my, and now Jenes gear, TSA is talking to him in numbers, one shaking his head as if to say “well, we caught another one!” Jene wonders over to me to tell me that he is being inspected for the three CO2 cartridges he has packed as spare tire inflators. Apparently they frown on these in a big way! Who knew? Apparently ever one but us. They toss his pack, take pictures of the evidence and his ticket and drivers license. Next he is escorted to the Phoenix PD officer sitting at a bench that looks striking similar to a Judges bench. It is wooden, official looking and is elevated. The officer promises to get us back to where we are going as soon as he can. I secretly take a few pictures with the new phone camera I am carrying. TSA doesn’t like their picture taken as far as I know. No one seems to be paying any attention to anyone but Jene. The officer takes some notes, askers Jene how he pronounces his name, and explains that they can take several measures in cases like this. Cop peak for “I could give you a ticket for this!” No ticket and we are wished a safe ride. We still make it to our gate in plenty of time o make a quick call.

The flight to Miami is smooth and not We squeeze in lunch and are n the plan to Cali with no further problems.

Mike is waiting for us at the airport and in 20 minutes we are at the CASA BLANCA HOSTEL. two rooms and with the fans running we crash early.

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