Oh. My. Blog.

"Final Boarding Call for Flight No. 900"
After nearly missing our flight back to The States (Note to potential travelers to Buenos Aires: When they say leave three or four hours before your scheduled time of departure, they actually mean it), we arrived in Miami. First time on U.S. soil in over two months. I have to admit, I was excited to be home.

The Goodbye
After the nine-hour flight, it was about 6am in the morning and Mark and I both rented cars at the airport to get us to our destinations within Florida. Parting ways went something like this:

Me: "Ok, well..."
[hug]
Mark: "Have a good time with your family."
Me: "You, too. Drive safe."
Mark: "See you when you're back in New York."
Me: "Yep."
[turn around, each get in respective cars, drive away]

I guess after two months of being with someone for nearly 24-hours a day, there really isn't much you haven't already said.

I DID Learn Spanish!
Friday and Saturday were spent with my sister and brother-in-law in Miami. The last week of traveling was especially grueling (mentally and physically), so I thought a little pampering in South Florida would do me good.

[Cut to me entering the nail salon in downtown Miami]

Background: I was scheduled for a pedicure at 4pm, but arrived a bit early. I inquired to see if I could sneak in a manicure before my scheduled appointment. Simple enough, right?

So, I ask. In English.
They answer me. In Spanish.
I answer them. In Spanish.

It just flew outta my mouth! And they knew what I said! Well, sort of. It took about 10 minutes to get everything sorted, but we worked it out. I got my mani and pedi... and to use my freshly-learned Spanish. Tee!

What's In the Bag
The contents of my bag changed constantly throughout the trip. For example, it only took me two weeks to realize I didn't actually need those two extra pairs of shorts, a wifebeater in all three shades of blue or that second bathing suit. Also, I had a rule: If I bought something, I had to get rid of something. So, over the course of the 63 days, adjustments were made daily. Here are some new important additions to the bag:

- leather heels from Buenos Aires
- sweet green Nike kicks (also from BsAs)
- two Peruvian instruments (friends with children, these are for you)
- some trinkets from the witchcraft market in La Paz
- thr-- (... err) two Argentine malbecs
- bottle of olive oil from Mendoza
- an ugly (but lovable) long-sleeve orange shirt
- four pairs of jeans
- handful of new tops

I outright refused to do purchase any clothes for the winter season... because I am a badass like that. Although, I just peeked at the forecast and it looks like there will be flurries in New York the day I arrive. Ok, so I admit: not buying that leather jacket and getting those cute tanks instead probably wasn't the best way to rebel against the cold. Anyway...

Currently, I'm in Fort Pierce with the 'rents where I remain until Wednesday, when I head back up north to reality: work, cold and apartment-hunting.

(sigh)

However, I know as soon as I see the New York skyline, I'll get butterflies.
No matter how long I'm gone for-- two day or two months--
I get 'em everytime I see her.