20080516

5/16/2008 15:26 PM Think ahead. Pinch myself.
Eileen dropped me off at the ferry terminal after I had an uneventful last minute packing session. I’m a bit worried though as this all seems too casual – not the normal panic that I’m used to when going away for more than a few days. What worries me is that the last two items I packed and that I only thought of at the last moment was to take a hat and my clip-on sunglasses – not items that one would normally think of at the last minute! I do only have one backpack type suitcase and a small carry-on which is good – but on the other hand I’m not sure why my backpack weighs close to 40 pounds. It’s under limit but I’m beginning to wonder what’s in there that weighs so much! All necessary stuff of course, and a lot of it is electronics – computer, peripherals, manuals etc. etc. Eileen would have been much happier to see me off with a novel instead of all of my “stuff” – maybe I won’t even open them and will pick up a novel – chances are ….?
I’m sure I will make it to Bogotá despite the fact that when I walked onto the ferry and settled into my kiosk work station I realized that I had to buy a bus ticket to take me to the airport! Not to worry that they only sell the bus tickets for the first thirty minutes after the ferry is underway – I made it by an easy ten minutes after I packed my computer etc. as I didn’t want to leave it and my bags unattended. It did make me stop and take a moment to think about what other steps I might have to take to get to the hotel though. It’s not possible that this confident traveler who just forges ahead and gets to where he’s going without a problem, has relied more heavily than realized on my usual traveling companion – don’t think so but a seed has been planted!
Another issue that will amaze me throughout this whole trip is the price of things. I thought the ferry fare would be about $11.00 and it was $13.00. Then when I got around to buying my bus ticket from the ferry to the airport I figured another $13.00 – but of course it was $19.00! I just had to ask the ticket agent why, but I already knew his answer, “I don’t know”. I realize this will be a constant amazement as I travel along my way so I need to do a little thinking about prices so as to reduce the shock during my trek.

5/16/2008 21:23 PM
Arrived at my hotel in good time and checked my email to find that there was a message to call asap from Bogotá. I spent 15 minutes trying to call out and couldn’t get my phone to work. I thought it was because of the long distance calling from the room but no. After going to the front desk and then having a serviceman check out the phone they decided that it wasn’t working so they gave me another room! By then it was too late to call – Bogotá is three hours ahead of Vancouver. I’ve emailed them to find out what the message is about – I’m sure that war hasn’t broken out and the airport is closed!! I’ll find out more tomorrow. I’ll be up early as I need to check in about 05:45. I know that I'll at least get as far as Houston before I'm stopped with an advisory! Sweet dreams.