southward bound

Call to Varig Airlines this afternoon: "I'd like to confirm our reservations por favor."

Kind operator: "I'm sorry but Varig no longer flies to NY nor to Belo Horizonte, Brasil. The airline has significantly reduced is routes. You will have to refund your ticket to take another airline. I suggest you contact your travel agent."

Alex (travel agent): "I don't know what to suggest."

Conclusion: We can get to NY. No clue if/when we can get to Brazil.

The adventure begins... yet somehow I'm relaxed and happy. At least there's a destination of some kind in my future. It may not be exactly as planned (and I may spend more than my share of time in a random airport) but my to-do list is dramatically shorter, I've realized I can't single-handedly save Lebanon and my sadness for it doesn't help, I'm leaving the humid weather, and I'm facing what promises to be a wild ride of a trip. What's not to love?

Nos vamos!