i’ll get there. eventually.

Date June 25, 2008

It’s a running joke that Manizales shouldn’t even have an airport. Nine out of ten flights don’t make it out and I knew that, but some secret optimistic part of me thought that my 7:00 a.m. flight would be the one that actually took off.

Yeah, right.

At 9:30 a nice lady from Avianca milled through the waiting crowd and found the only blonde in the joint. That’d be me. I followed her to the ticket counter where Hugo informed me that there was no way I’d make my Miami connection. He was really nice about it, but bless his heart, he had no idea what he’d done.

I felt that little chin quivering thing coming on and in less than ten seconds my tired eyes looked like artesian wells. My Spanish stinks to begin with. Top that with a little whipped frustration, a smidge of confused, and a dash of I-miss-my-momma and well, I couldn’t say a word.

Nada.

Poor Hugo looked like most men in the presence of a hysterical woman- terrified, wide-eyed, desperate for the nearest escape route. I felt bad for the guy. I really did, but I felt worse for myself.

And the sobbing continued. Not the whimpering, gentile sort of sob a Southern lady should possess. It was more of a gurgling, slobbery, can’t catch your breath, red faced mess. Trust me, friends, it was ugly. Really, really ugly.

I cried in front of everyone in that airport.

And now I’m in Bogota waiting on a 6:00 flight that will take me to Miami and leave me there for the night. And I’ve cried in front of everyone in this airport, too. I’m sitting in the corner on the floor, bumming the wifi from Juan Valdez, talking to Mom on skype, and crying like a homesick child.

Boomama says that blog readers don’t like moody. Oh, well. Today I don’t like airplanes or mountain weather and I’m moody.

Momma says that everyone needs a good cry now and then and I think she trumps Boomama this time. I did need a good cry. I deserve a good cry. I mean, yesterday’s really official thingy sort of warmed me up for it, right? Unfortunately, my really good cry has been witnessed by over half of the Colombian population.

At least you guys won’t have to see it. I mentioned the whole wailing, gurgling, red-faced, puffy eyed thing, right? Yeah, you don’t wanna see it.  Trust me.

7 Responses to “i’ll get there. eventually.”

  1. Lou said:

    If nothing else Em, you can rest in knowing that your wailing, gurgling, red-faced, puffy eyed thing gave some of us a good laugh here at home. Yes you will make it to see us.

  2. Deanna said:

    Have you prayed for patience lately? Just curious because I’m telling you He does it to me everytime! 🙂
    Put a smile on your face….you’re almost there, um, I mean here. You know what I mean.

  3. Summer said:

    Emily–I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who needs a good public cry every now and then! Sometimes, I just can’t help it. The tears just start coming, and there’s nothing to do but let them out. I’m thinking of you today and hoping you’re almost home.

  4. Lindsay said:

    God speed, Em.

    If it makes you feel any better, I cried in the Seoul airport for about an hour after my parents left, then finally caught the bus back to Gwangju, and cried about 2 of the 4 hours back.

  5. Gretchin said:

    Oh you poor thing. Who the heck said bloggers dont want moody???

    I get moody and still seem to catch a commenter or two.

    Moody is dramatic and we all know drama sells! =)

    I would have been a sobbing disaster if I couldn’t get home too! I may have even gotten loud, heck who knows. Depends on what day it happened to me. lol

    Well I hope this next flight comes and goes with ease and you happily and safely return home to your mama. Forget the graceful sobs, sometimes we just need to let the tears roll!

    Gretchin
    Fellow Ragamuffin Challenger

  6. Katie said:

    I hope that by the time you read this that you are safe and sound in the arms of your family in Pontotoc. Emily, I have so enjoyed reading about your journey, and I am so proud of you! I am excited about our rafting trip and I do so hope that you can make it!

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