Day 2
Yikes, 03:15 comes early and I think at age 66 I am becoming a wussy. Getting up that early feels like stroking a cat backwards – not good. Off to the shuttle and my driver and I have a great discussion of life in general and fixing major world problems while being driven to the airport seems to be an easy task. I also noticed that going through security early has its benefits, everyone is still in a reasonable good mood and I bat a high average of having my morning greetings returned. Looking forward to meeting Paul, a team member from Australia and friend of Randy’s. Strolling through the airport I notice a peculiar looking tree standing in a corner of the walkway and after close inspection realize that the one tree is actually 6 trees braided together to form one single unit. Looking at the tree reminds me of real life and someone, while the trees were still thin and flexible, decided to braid them into one. Now, many years later, the trees could not be separated without permanent damage to all of them. On many occasions, willful or through ignorance, things are woven into lives at an early age that can not be removed without consequences at a later date. Each tree will struggle to grow to its full potential and I look at my own life and think of the battles I had to go through and try to untangle myself from some of my past. Eventually I realized that I needed help from the One that knows every part of me, is interested in every day of my life and every situation. I clearly remember the day when I fell to my knees, crying out to Jesus for help and help came in so many wonderful and unexpected ways.
At 07:00 we finally board the plane and after a lengthy de-icing session we again take to the sky and head south. My seat is great and I have the emergency isle with no other person in my row but I do, however, from a very friendly flight attendant, get a lesson on how to throw the window out the window should an emergency occur.
Every flights seems to have a lesson and today’s lesson was less for me and more for the person sitting directly in front of me. I do not pretend to know the eating habits of that young man, however I do know that whatever he had eaten before the flight was now raising havoc with his exhaust. The stewardess stared at me a couple of times wondering why bright pink and yellow earplugs protruded from my nostrils, but at that point I could not care less. Never in all my flights have I been more tempted to practice my just aquired skill and open the emergency window just to get some air.
5 hours later we descent into Mexico City and the thick blanket of smog draws a marked line on the horizon. One full hour in the security lineup finally gives way to a larger hall and we check into the IzZzZzleep cubical to get some rest. Paul and I get a lesson in “cubicle operation”, and each one of us, after a hot shower, disappears in a pod, resembling an escape shuttle of the Starship USS Enterprise.
Up again at 22:00 and back to our gate for the last 3 hour leg to Quito, Ecuador. After a 2 hour delay we finally get to board and head 3000 km south to our distant destination.
The final approach into Quito has to be one of the most beautiful sections of land I have seen. Towering, snow packed volcanoes Judd from the cloud cover and every break in the clouds reveal a dark green carpet of vegetation, rooted in black volcanic soil. Just breathtaking beauty.
As soon as we step from the plane, we are greeted with a welcome breeze of cold clean air and the 30 minute taxi ride takes us though lush forests and not so orderly traffic. All the honking and erratic lane changes remind me of Africa and feels strangely familiar.
As I step into my hotel room the friendly face of my cousin Bruno who is joining me on the trip is such a welcome sight. We decide to explore the town and enjoy each other’s company. Neither of us speaks Spanish so trying to communicate with locals turns into a hilarious exercise. Walking the steep streets reminds us that we are at nearly 10000 feet elevation and we have to stop several times to catch our breath. Checking our Blood Oxygen level with my Oxymeter reveals that our levels are well below normal at 75% instead of 99% and after a good meal and hot shower we hit the hay.
