And so the Curtain Rises.....

  Buenos Aires, Argentina
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

So we're finally here.  We were able to overcome many things to get where were and now it's finally happening. Our last days in Buenos Aires were very emotion-filled. I was ecstatic our adventure was finally starting, but really, who's good with goodbyes?  I wanted this band-aid ripping situation to end.

So we got all our luggage in the car and began the long ride to Ezeiza International Airport where our plane was to leave at 1300 hours. We arrived at 11:20 trying to get through the check-in process and charm the airline guy into not charging us the excess baggage, which amounted to 50 Euros. In the meantime Paula, Guille, Nacho and Gloria arrived. Paula already had red eyes which meant she had been crying before she got to the airport. I myself had been crying in the car.

After checking in (and succeeding in having our excess luggage overseen), we started moving to our gate where we all took pictures and quietly chatted a bit....all the while I was thinking we had more time, but Ed suddenly announced we had to go. I suddenly was struck with panic since Juani had not yet arrived. I couldn't be leaving without saying goodbye to Juani.

 I was still hugging my sisters when Ed mentioned again we had to go. I dried my tears and started accepting the fact that I was going to miss Juani who was probably on his way.  Just in case, I looked over to the first floor, and saw him, all dressed in black, running up the mechanical stairs like a madman, running over all those in his way.  I ran towards him and like two stars in a cheesy romantic flick, we hugged and he lifted me up in the air and swirled me around.  Now I could leave in peace.

Ed and I handed the guard our boarding passes and everyone started yelling while Ed and I waved goodbye as we disappeared into the hall. We went through Customs without saying a word, too emotional to even look at each other.

Our spirits finally arose when we saw our AirMadrid plane parked outside our waiting room. We began smiling and the exhilaration we had once felt when imagining our trip was now overflowing in our veins. I was still thinking about my sister and the beautiful note she had written me the night before, but I was also excited about our first international trip with Ed.

After 40 minutes of waiting, we were finally called to board. The seats we had reserved were the ones farthest back, with no one behind to bother us. After much manipulation, Ed got the window seat and we held hands until the engines revved and we were in the air.

After the strong emotions had alleviated we settled in our very small and uncomfortable seats. We were unable to sleep at all during the flight, so we read during the entire 12 hours. We had reserved veggie food at the travel agency, but were still given regular food. After the strong emotions had alleviated we settled in our very small and uncomfortable seats. We were unable to sleep at all during the flight, so we read during the entire 12 hours. We had reserved veggie food at the travel agency, but were still given regular food. The people were loud, rude, the flight attendants yelled often, and there was a group of World Cup fans that wouldn't stop signing.  But there was nothing that could minimize our bliss. We were now pulling up the curtain....