Back in the U.S. of A.

It feels so weird to be back.  Today has been such a long and exhausting day.  It's weird to think that I was in Managua this morning and am back in my apartment . . . with a very happy/angry cat.  Happy because I am back, angry because I was gone for so long.  He is so moody.  But I'll get to that.

On the way to the aeropuerto

This morning was nice and rather leisurely, other than the fact that I couldn't sleep past 5:30.  I'm not sure why I woke up then because I've been waking up at 6.  But maybe it's because it was the most restful sleep I've had in two weeks, so my body wasn't quite sure what to do about it.  There is something to be said for luxury hotels.  We went to the gym.  The heat was on, so I don't think many people use that gym.  Then after showering, we went to the grocery store to get breakfast and spend the rest of our cordobas.  I got this really good yogurt.  Yum!
We still had time before the shuttle to the airport, so we got ready, packed, and then talked about life.  The shuttle to the airport was much more comfortable than a taxi would have been.  And possibly safer as the shuttle driver didn't seem to drive quite as fast.

Gizmo going insane trying to rub up against me.

The security was kind of a pain.  Not only did we have to do the usual metal detector and whatever they do to the bags, but after we were already at our gate and right before boarding, we had to go through security again!  This time they searched our carry-ons and patted us down.  I guess they must have a big problem with drug smuggling.  But I would have preferred they do that at the beginning.  Because of the second wave, I had to dump out my water bottle.  I get so dehydrated on planes, and they never give enough to drink.
Anyway, that kind of put me in a foul mood and having to sit through a 4 hour flight didn't make me feel any better.  To top it off, I had to go through customs in Atlanta, recheck my suitcase, and get to my gate.  I finally sat down only to discover that although the internet was free in Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, it was not free in Atlanta.  I'm afraid I sent them a snotty email.  It is really lame that they charge for internet like that, but I wouldn't have sent an email if it wasn't for the fact that I was annoyed by the process all along the way.  For someone who loves to travel, I sure HATE the actual travel.

Next second angry Gizmo.

My friend picked me up from the airport, though she accidentally went to the drop off instead of the pick-up area.  It was all good, though.  But then we basically immediately went to a party.  I dropped my stuff off and Gizmo was basically freaking out.  He was meowing constantly, drooling (not sure what that was about), rubbing against my legs, and even trying to climb up my leg.
He acted the same way when I got back from the party until he finally got really angry at me.  Sometimes I swear he is bipolar!