Binnacle

GOOD MORNING all of you GBC fans,

Yesterday , Independance Day in the good old U.S. of A., after a relativly uneventful flight to Miami , except for the multitude of vacationers in either sailing regatta's or fishing party boats we observed from out flight down the N.J. coast, we arrived in Miami only to step off the AAL 737 into the 90% humidity of southern Florida. With nearly 2 hours before our Quito flight , we chatted ,
fellowshiped with each other ,ate,drank and watched for Mike and Ed as they took frequent head counts and hurded us to the right gate.

An on time departure looked promising as we boarded , but the cattle car atmosphere if the fully loaded 757,with a much closer seating arrangement everyone had difficulty stowing their carryon's
in the overhead compartments and in front of their seats, we managed only 20 minutes late on departure.

The flight down from Miami took us over the Caribbean observing the most gorgeous sunset reflected off pink towering cumulus clouds . A great dinner of either chicken or beef (arros con pollo or bisteak) , as the flight announcements were bilingual, was enjoyed by all.

Anticipating an ontime arrival in Quito , I was curious as to whether the cabin pressure would coincide with the 9000' altitude of Quito , but I noticed no difference. Word was passed to adjust our watches to 1 hour earlier , as Ecuador is on eastern staandard time , even though is is the same longitude as our east coast.

I also anticipated noticing the 9000' altitude as we stepped off the plane , but noticed no difference , except the delightfully cool dry mountain air. Sorry Franco
but I didn't faint...

As a group we waited until last to deplane , which was OK , because after sucessfully getting through immigration we had the unfortunate experience of a glitch in clearing our duffel bags of sneakers through customs. After a nearly 2 hour wait , and much prayer , Mike had to leave his passport as hostage. NO WAY Mike and ED would leave the sneaker bags as hostage.

Bt this time it was after midnight , and we gratefully boarded our bus for our 40 minute to our hosts beautiful hacienda. A brief time of fellowship,acknowledging
HIS influence in our brief airport glitch , we joined each other in a mornings snooze in our quiet dorm accomidation.

Anticipate Sunday's time of rest, delicious food, group devotions and reorganizing our precious commodity of footware (tenny's)for Mondays anticipated deliverance to the needy children of Quito.

HIS Kid, Binnacle

P.S. It's a gorgeous 70ish sunny day in Quito basin.