ATLANTIC OCEAN, ATLANTA, Georgia and AUSTIN, Texas October 11, 2005 — Airports, flying.

I do arrive in Atlanta. I get through immigration in short order. I don't immediately see the appointed luggage carrousel. I need to go to the toilet. I see the toilet. That taken care of I see the carrousel. Good thing I didn't bother seeing if my bag would come quickly. I wait and wait. The luggage is on two carrousels, actually, and they aren't connected so you have to sort of watch both. The weight lifters have those lidded plastic boxes all taped up. Containing what? Trophies, weight belts and equipment? The church

ladies and a few people who seem to be immigrating have lots of luggage, too. Finally I see my forlorn green bag, not completely full. After the green line I go to a check-in and get a boarding card. Then I give the green bag, which already has a tag through to AUS to a baggage handler.

Then I go through security again. A take off your shoes, belt, blazer security. Welcome back to the U.S.A.

I find my way to the right concourse for my Austin flight. I buy an Atlanta newspaper (crying about the Braves not making the play-offs it wsa) and The New York Times. Welcome back to Hurricane-ville. I go to a TGI Friday's and get a big breakfast. Not that I'm hungry but just because.

I make my way to the gate. Coach ticket. When I board, I leave my seat belt off waiting for a window seat companion. None comes. What luck. I sleep a little and read a little and before I know it I'm on that escalator down to baggae at ABIA and I see FFP standing there.

Home sweet home, indeed. I get some things unpacked, download some pictures, e-mail the people in South Africa to let them know I made it home. I call my Dad and talk to him. He missed me.

FFP suggests going to Fonda San Miguel. I've been traveling about a zillion hours (it took about thirty-one door to door, I think) but our little North Loop Austin version of inside Mexico seems like a good idea. Tom, one of the owners, comes over and talks to us. I'm barely conscious. I eat the big carne asada plate and have a glass of wine.

I'm in bed early with a couple of phone calls to interrupt getting my sleep. I'll be awake too early tomorrow and I'll be uncharacteristically hungry. Oh, and it will be water aerobics day. Should I go?