Florida smells like socks

I suppose to open i should apologize to all friends and family that are currently floridians (sorry grandma and grandpa) - and maybe qualify this statement with the modifier of 'south' Florida, but, goodness gracious this place smells like someone's old hockey bag. Feels like it too, but that may also have to do with the fact that i was stranded overnight in Miami without my bags, no change of clothes and nice wool socks to continue wearing for the last two days.

White pants are a big thing in Miami. really big. i almost feel out of place in denim. at least, blue denim. Also, way to many SUVs are driving around here. Expensive ones. Porsche, VW Touraegs, Lexus. Why do these people need these? for weekend ski trips? For some reason, a really expensive sports car is so much more acceptable in my mind in this climate, even though it's just as wasteful and not-fuel-efficient. At least those are simply fun to drive, and don't look like they belong in an outdoors ad.

I'm heading to Quito this afternoon, now, after being caught by too long delays in Denver yesterday, waiting in line to get de-iced and missing my connection. Yeah, travel!! Once i get into Quito tonight, I'll take another flight tomorrow down to the town of Loja, and then a car ride over to the fairly remote site. I've had to scramble and attempt to move basically all of my travel arrangements back a day (on a slowly dying phone.. stupid charger in my stupid checked luggage) and as it stands now i should be getting back to the Centennial state on Valentine's night.

I used to relish in the idea of being the single solitary traveler when i was in college. I loved roadtrips simply for the sake of roadtrips - the longer the better. I loved retelling crazy details of the insanity of what i had been through to get somewhere, enjoyed the journey as much if not more than the destination itself. Sitting in terminals with odd looking t-shirts and scribbling into a notebook, wondering what awaits you and being glad that you could carry the idea of Jesus with you without being a part of the giant christian mission group surrounding you. (this is not to disparage mission trips, but, uh.. well, ok, it is. at least, in the part where they sit around you in the airport and won't be quiet or are all wearing the same t-shirt. that is all.)

But i do miss home quite a bit on this trip. It is also my first real trip for work, and to be honest it's quite a doozy to begin on, but i'm also excited. To be fair, if i could have my travellin partner with me, i have no doubt that i would be happier than a pig in mud. So, if you're reading this in our mile-high state, make sure to drop her a line sometime before the end of next week and be sure to ask her why her husband has done run out on her.

(I also just finished No Country for Old Men, and am thinking in cowboy coloquilisms, so apologies if ever one of my comments looks all squirlish like.)

I'll do my best to get some pics as i go along and post a few up if i can, but, until then, i'll see you laters...