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Published: June 15th 2005
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Fun fun fun
Despite the frowns, we were having a good time on the beach ... even when it rained at 4pm precisely. Friday 27th May 2005 : Bye Bye Bogota - Hello Florida
To the ATM for cash. To the café for caffeine. I thought that by now I could order coffee but no. I ask for a ‘tinto’ (black) and pay , then present my receipt at the coffee counter. The young lady asks me how much water do I want but not in a way that I understand. A fellow customer explains. I say I’d like more water and learn that this is a ‘clarito’ (but is this only in Bogota ?).
The kids are still filling the hostel and a bunch of adults arrive to check in. This is as busy as we’ve seen it.
We check out and immediately flag down a taxi on the street.
Check in and have to pay 30USD departure tax each. We do not have enough cash so pay the shortfall of 8000 pesos by cc.
Takeoff late. Arrive on time but then sit on tarmac for 30 mins.
Partly because of this delay we miss the Tri-rail connection to Fort Lauderdale and have to catch a comfy, air-conditioned taxi instead (at 80USD !).
Boy, it is hot.
We dump our stuff in our shared ‘chalet’. It has two bedrooms and a shared kitchen/living area. Philip and Zoltan seem to live/work on an ad-hoc basis, I think crewing.
We head for Denny’s at around 9pm for a greasy meal washed down by root beer. I had omelette which happened to be from the breakfast menu. Because of this I was also served an ‘English muffin’ complete with two types of jam. I ate it.
Beer from the service station then bed.
Saturday 28th May 2005 : Fort Lauderdale Beach
Yogurt/granola brekkies.
Wanted to change our flight out as it could be difficult getting back to Miami for a 7am check-in.
Rang American Airlines. They could do very little over the phone. Suggested I drop by my nearest AA counter. And where is that ? Fort Lauderdale airport, terrific.
Took the local no.1 bus to the airport. Got off at the wrong terminal. Caught the terminal shuttle and made my way to the AA desk. They could do nothing immediately as our tickets were issued by BA and ‘the system’ does not hold all the ticketing info. I rang BA
who promptly changed the reservation - why could I not have done that in the first place ?
Back to the AA desk - still not happy as BA had not telephoned AA. It seems we are now confirmed on both flights. I am assured that it will be OK on Tuesday, and Joy has made suitable notes ‘on the system’.
Perhaps I have a future career as an airline systems designer ? Or is it more complex than it appears ?
Right now how do I get out of here ? Hang around maybe 30 mins for the next bus back. Then into a vitamin superstore to buy some B1. The assistant cannot open the till drawer to give me my 31 cents change. Most surprised when I say ‘forget it’ and leave.
Next round up the kids and board another bus , this time for the beach. Beach busy but not too crowded. Rory and Owen go swimming for a while then at 4pm, as predicted, it begins to rain. We retreat to a bar. Samuel Adams Ale, brewed in Boston, quite bitter and fruity.
The rain stops. Back to the beach for a while. Bus back to supermarket. Pasta for tea with Paul Newman (sauce).
Sunday 29th May 2005 : Not a lot
Rory up early, playing on Philip’s Playstation compact. Shooting, driving cars, riding motorbikes and flying planes.
Booked somewhere to stay in Merida, Mexico. Tried to book first stop in Tulum.
Found Tri-Rail timetables for Ft Lauderdale to Miami airport. Even though we’ve moved to a later departure it looks like we will need to leave here just after 7am to be sure of checking in by 10am. Too many connections, and the train runs only once an hour.
Humidity and temperature seem to be rising. Lazy pm, reading, some shopping. Rory still hooked to TV/Playstation.
Why don’t they build houses more suited to the weather ? i.e. thick walls, small windows etc like in Ecuador/Peru etc ? Are they designed so that you then have to buy air conditioning units for each room ?
Monday 30th May 2005 : Memorial Day
Rory up early, playing on Philip’s Playstation compact again.
I go for a walk towards downtown. Reach the river. Lots of fairly new buildings. Look somewhat like Lego but in pastel shades. Hardly anyone on foot anywhere.
‘Riverside Walk’ disappointing. Give me Bedford any day.
Back at the hostel Rory is still on the PS, Owen still in bed. Sky occasionally overcast. If anything it is even hotter Today (90F).
Boys want to go and see Star Wars 27. No-one shows any inclination to accompany them.
Today is Memorial Day. Supposedly when the US remember those who have died in conflicts, beginning with the Civil War. The local paper has a letter bemoaning the fact that that there are no obvious civic tributes, only 'Giant Memorial Day Sale' and 'Memorial Day Blockbuster Deals' advertised in the press.
Does anyone remember what Whit Monday was for ?
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