Atlanta - August 2nd

After getting stuck in stopped traffic for 45 minutes on the south side of Milwaukee, and after road construction from the Illinois State Line to Jim & Jeanne's, I finally got there (late) at 12:30pm. We had planned to have lunch - but because of the slow driving from Milwaukee to Chicago (and knowing I'd be late), I had grabbed lunch on the way. When I got to their house, I only had time to quickly use the bathroom. By the time I came back outside, Jim had my bags loaded into his vehicle and we were off to Midway.

Jeanne helped me take my 2 suitcases and 2 carry-ons into the airport while Jim circled the airport waiting for her. I was charged $25 for "extra baggage", but I supposed that's much more tolerable that the $80 I should've been charged when their meter read that the bag was 51 pounds (for going over their 50# limit). the plane was the smallest I've ever been on and it was packed with people. I suppose with the higher gas prices, the airlines are trying to take the smallest, most fuel-efficient aircraft possible that will fit all who bought tickets.

My ride down to Atlanta was good. Atlanta is HOT! I had to wait outside for my shuttle to the hotel which was right outside the airport. I got to the airport at 7pm and it began to storm heavily immediately after I arrived. Glad I missed it. I signed in, got my room (on the 2nd floor), went up and locked the door behind me. I put my luggage in front of the door just as a precaution since I am traveling alone.

I called mom when I got there & talked to mom, dad & Alina. Alina told me that Kaylyn said "mama" for the first time. OF COURSE she HAD to wait until I left. Mom agreed that she said it clear as day. I called Cheryl after talking to them, to chat for a while and keep me busy. I was contemplating going to Denny's to eat across the parking lot, but decided I wasn't that hungry after all. I finally drifted off to sleep between 9:30 and 10pm...Atlanta is an hour ahead of our Wisconsin time.

Andrés called just after I had fallen asleep to tell me that they were on their way back from the Timber Rattler game. We said goodnight and here I am this morning, waiting for the 7am shuttle to take me to the airport. My plane heads out at 10:00am, so I should be there by 8:00, but I want to get there a little earlier so that I can check in and call Bob & the kids before they head off to church.

I thought I saw on the internet that Hotel Real has a computer with internet access, so we'll see how tired I am when I get down to Honduras tonight - provided the 2 flights go well. I will head for the capital tomorrow morning (at 5:00am) in a coach bus, which should take about 4 hours. A driver will pick me up from the bus station to take me out to the orphanage at that point. So I should be to Orphanage Emmanuel by tomorrow afternoon.