Great Time in Mexico, Nightmare at Airport

Building 37, NIH -- Last week, my family and I went on vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The place we stayed at was unbelievable. My uncle is business partners with this guy that owns a house down there so we did not have to pay anything (just the plane tickets). There were always people around to make drinks, cook food, and do laundry. The house was on the side of a cliff, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the view was amazing. There was also a pool in the backyard, where I spent most of my time. Basically, all I did last week was drink beer and wine, played video games with my cousins, and slept. Unfortunately, I didn't go out much, there wasn't really any nightlife because it was like way outside of the city. Plus, I was with my family. Anyways, the place was beautiful and it was very relaxing. The food was great (I learned how to make this really tasty salsa). I'll post some pictures later on.

Last Sunday, I had to leave for home and I was not very excited about the plane ride back. I had two connecting flights and knew that it was gonna be a LONG DAY. I had to travel by myself because I booked my flight later than everyone else, I didn't know if I could get out of work. I anticipated getting home around 7 pm since my last flight was supposed to get into DC around 5:30. I've always hated flying. Not scared, just fucking hate it. One of the reasons is because I can't fall asleep sitting up, its so uncomfortable to sit there while my ass is numb as shit and the food tastes like... well you know. I've sat next to people that are fat, people who keep falling asleep on me, people who won't stop talking, people who constantly have to get up so I have to get out of the way, etc. And worst of all is the airports. I just hate airports...the waiting and waiting and waiting. Anyways, after my relaxing week of doing nothing, I had to get up at 4:30 AM to catch a flight at 7. After only two hours of sleep, I get to airport, tired as shit, to find out that the flight was delayed 1 hour. Okay, not a big deal, I'll just take a nap. The flight was from Puerto Vallarta to Mexico City. Air Mexico fucking sucks. The pilot and the flight attendants just spoke Spanish the entire time. I don't speak Spanish. It was boring. I didn't have a window seat. I sat there reading a Spanish newspaper (of course I only looked at the pictures). Then, when I arrived at Mexico City, I was rushed to my connecting flight to Atlanta. I made it on to the plane, thank god, but it was Air Mexico ... again. I thought to myself, maybe these guys speak english... but of course, that was not the case. In fact, it seemed like 90% of the plane was Mexican. I was bored out of my fucking mind so I started to read Tucker Max stories again. When we were finally about to get to Atlanta, I was very happy... but no. The pilot wiled out on the mic for about 5 minutes speaking the fastest spanish I've ever heard. After what seemed to be about an hour after we were supposed to land, I was frustrated so I aksed the dude next to me what was going on. No English. Then, I turn around and ask the people behind me. No English. I was so mad but some how, I fell asleep for a little while. When I woke up, the plane was about to land. I was so happy. But, then I realized that this was not Atlanta. When the plane landed, it just parked there. I got up and walked up to someone who looked like they spoke English and aksed them what was going on. This is when I found out I was in South Carolina. There was a huge storm in Atlanta and and the airport was shut down for 2 hours. Planes could not leave or come in. So the plane sat there in SC for 2 hours before we flew back to ATL. When I got off at Atlanta, I was so happy but then I got pissed because I knew that my connecting flight had already left and I had to get a new ticket. I went through customs and then was directed to a line to get a new ticket. This line zig-zagged forever. I was pissed and bored and hungry but I couldnt get out of line. I waited there for 5 fucking hours to get a new ticket for 9:40 pm. When it was finally 9:40, an announcement was made that this flight was going to be delayed another hour. Basically, we didn't get out til 11 and I got to DC at 1 and got home at 2. My day of travel started at 4:30AM and ended at 2AM the next day. Oh, then I had to get up at 7 to go to work. woohoooooooo.

Furthermore, I'll be at PSU this Thursday night after work. I bought a couple bottles of cuervo in mexico for pretty cheap. And Skip, the California thing sounds great, but I don't know how long I get off for break. We'll see what happens...

I should learn Spanish.

-Louie