I'm in Rio

If you are looking for Waldo, I am in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

I made my way yesterday morning from Phoenix to Washington DC.

The gals at the United Airlines ticket counter in Phoenix were amazed.

I checked two bags. Each bag weighed in at a whooping 49.5 pounds. Just a mere 8 ounces more and I would have had to pay extra or remove some things. I probably should have weighed them at the house. But after carrying four kids around, I guess that I got pretty good as estimating weight. If only I weighed 120 pounds again...

After landing and waiting in the Dulles airport for 6 long hours, I boarded the flight to Rio and got settled in for a 9 hour and 47 minute flight. I guess because I travel so much but I go right to sleep on planes. Nothing bothers me!

I joined my friend Judith in Rio this morning. We met at a grief support group many years ago. I was dealing with the death of my husband. Judith’s husband had died recently too. We talked, cried, and became fast close friends.

My kids refer to us as, “Thelma and Louise.”

Since a boat sank in Antarctica over the past week, I have to admit, both of us are a little nervous. Those pictures were scary. I don’t move as fast as I used to.

So, we have decided that if this trip goes well, we’re off to Jerusalem next. Or maybe Baghdad.

I am not sure how much I will be able to blog from the ship. I will try. My daughter Kim gave me two digital cameras, a slew of memory cards and a media storage gizmo. Look forward to tons of pictures and my stories.

I appreciate all your kind words and prayers. My youngest grandson Ian asked me when I was leaving Phoenix, “Grandma, why do you need to go to Antarctica? It’s not safe. Boats sink there.”

I told him like him, Antarctica is one of God’s wonders. And when you experience one of God’s wonders and think how beautiful it is, you are praising God because he made it. I am going to praise God.

Ian seemed to get this. He’s always been an old soul.

God bless you all,
Waldo