It's funny how I look back at it all now. As I sit here in my cousin's house here in Iowa, it seems like it all happened light years ago. To someone else, in some other place. It all seems like something I saw on TV, it never seems like it occurred to me. And as I try to remember, I realize how much I have forgotten. But the past is always there. Eventhough I have made peace with it, it's always there. So here is the rest of story, just how it happened.
I remember working that day, well sort of working, I was just too excited about leaving. I don't really remember who took me to the airport or if I just took a taxi from my work (which was right across the highway from the aiport). I can't remember those things, because I was so excited about finally leaving. I was doing it, I was going to see her, I was on MY way. I waited there in the airport, somehow not believing the fact that soon I would be with her, having her next to me once again. It was already getting dark outside by the time I left San Antonio for Houston. I would there catch a joining final flight to Guadalajara. It would be an hour flight to Houston, and then about another 2 hour and 2 minute flight into Guadalajara. I was wearing cargo pants and a blue button shirt that I had bought. I remember wearing that outfit because out of all my clothes that I had packed, I figured these were the least ones I wanted to wear. I was saving all my nice clothes for her. I was going to be wearing my favorite pair of jeans when she was with me. The ones that fit me right, the ones I was most comfortable in, those I would be wearing for her. I was only going to give her my best, my most important and most valuable. I remember not even eating the food on the plane, for fear that I would gain one pound, and being that much heavier when she would see me. How Foolish I was.
I remember landing in Houston, and knowing I was only one flight away. I had a hour or so layover in Houston, which made my stomach churn and turn even more. I sat there contemplating what the next week would bring, how she would react to the new me. I had changed very much, and I hoped that she would like the change. The time to board the plane came, and I impatiently got on board. I was so nervous, not for the flight, but as the reality was hitting me. It was happening before my eyes, it was all very near now. This was it. The big day, the day I had waited for. Now in less then 2 and a half hours, it would all begin.
The flight seemed to last forever. We flew through darkness, I stared out the window trying to decifer some sort of recognizable land formations below so I could tell how far we had gone. I remember seeing a large city below, with mountains just south of it. I outlined the city and tried to get my bearings. This had to be Monterrey. Yes, indeed it was. By bus Monterrey is about 3 hours south of the border, so I figured we were about half way. But how far was Monterrey from Guadalajara? I glanced at my watch and saw that we had already traveled an hour, ok, so only about another our and 20 minutes or so. Maybe less, hopefully less. I waited, and waited, and waited. I waited for what seem an eternity, until I heard the captain come on the intercom. I held my breath for what he had to say, were we making our decent? Were we closer then I thought? His voice came over the intercom, but said something I didn't want to hear. Thunderstorms. Crap. Not what I was thinking, or hoping. He just warned of a bit of turbulence. It was going to get a bit bumpy. Thoughts of every single plane crash movie, commercial, real life footage crossed through my mind. I thought to myself, there is no way I am dying up here! Not after all this! The captain would just have to muscle his way through this damn storm, cause I was going to see her! If it was the last thing I did, I was going to see her! Mr. Airplane Captain, I command you to give the storm the finger and press on Valianty without fear! And so he did. The thunderstorm gave a good effort, but we prevailed in the end. Soon it was just a small group of clouds in the distance, flashing it's lightning in failure and retreat. I continued to stare out the window into the darkness, and soon the clouds looked different. They seemed to be going up? What was happening? Were we finally making our last decent? My suspicions were confirmed minutes later, as the Heroic Stormfighting Pilot spoke over the speakers like a voice from the heavens. He brought good tidings to all, as he announced that we were making our final decent into Guadalajara. This was is it. The last small bit of flying that had to be done. Well more like landing that is. Mr Jet Pilot Man had to stick this one. I've heard that it the hardest part of the whole flying business is the landing. And boy did he need to be on target this day. I was not a man to be messed with, I asked for nothing sheer of perfection on this landing. I had to be delivered to the ground in one piece, and preferably that piece being still alive. Then I saw it. The city, the grand city of possiblities that I had imagined in my mind for months. There it was before me, her city, her neighborhood, her house, her room. Somewhere out there, but still somewhere within my view. I watched as we got closer, the mountains faded into the distance, as the city lights canceled them from view. Soon streets and houses became visible, and then cars, tons of cars driving to their respective destinations. Was she in one of these cars? Was she looking up at the plane wondering if I was in it? I know it sounds like an "American Tale" kind of moment, but it was very real. Somewhere in that maze of houses, that network of streets, she waited. And she waited for no one but me.
We landed. Mr. Jet Pilot Man had not failed me. He had come through in the clutch, he had lived up to his flying reputation. He was a good man in my book. As we taxi'd around the run way for a bit, I stared out the window at the city around me. So many lights, and so many houses, I wondered what it all looked like in the daylight. As we pulled up to the gate and parked everyone stood up and started to get their luggage. This was it. The final exit, soon I would be on land, her land, in her city, in her country. All the weeks, all the months, all the hard work, it was all for this moment, when I got off the plane into her life. As I made my way off the plane, I glanced at my watch. 11:15 PM. We were 8 minutes late, but relatively on time. Atleast I wasn't dead. I made my way to the luggage pick up and soon found my bags. I happened to glance over my shoulder and saw a barricade and people waiting for their arrivals. I saw Iliana there, waiting for me. I walked up to the Custom's Agent, where he checked my passport, giving me the Federal Stamp of Approval. I walked towards the exit and out the doors. I was free, I was there, I was alive, and I was skinny. Iliana saw me then and smiled as she made her way over to me and gave me a hug. It had been 4 years since I had seen her, the last time actually being the first time we met. Even then, it was only about an hour that we had actually been around each other. The rest of our close friendship was built over time, with the help of email, chat rooms, and telephone calls. She was a true friend in every sense, and she knew very much about me. How ironic it was that we were now reunited because of another girl. Never had I seriously contemplated visiting her, or her visiting me, but because of Gaby, because of them coincidentally living in the same city, we were brought together now. It was good to see her, she looked well, and hadn't changed much. She noticed that I had though. She commented that I had lost some weight, and mentioned that I looked thinner when she first met me. That was a good thing, because if she noticed after 4 years, Gaby would certainly notice after 3 months. Her sister Mari was also there at the aiport, this being the sister I had never met. I was pleased to meet her, as she was smiling the whole time too. We hopped in a taxi and began the trek back to Iliana's house. The city blurred by outside as we talked and joked in the taxi. It must have taken about 15 or 20 minutes before we finally pulled up to their home. Or apartment I should say. We got out of the cab and made our way up to the second floor, me dragging all my luggage up the stairs. As I entered the front door, finally I got to put a visual to the apartment. This apartment I had called so many times, for years now, I could see it before me. It was quite big too, with 3 bedrooms and two baths, a good size living room and kitchen. As I walked in I was introduced to Iliana's mom and aunt and her sister's two kids, who also lived there. I said hello in my very broken spanish, and smiled as they spoke back. Hugs and hand shakes were exchanged, I was happy to finally meet everyone, and they seemed happy to meet me. I could now put the faces to the names, a face to her mom, the one who usually answered when I would call. Iliana showed me her room and told me that I was going to be staying in there. It was a large room, simple without clutter. The walls were white and with tile floors, with only a computer desk, and book shelf and a twin bed in it. It was plenty big for me, with a large closet, and it's own bathroom. Iliana was going to be sleeping in her aunt's room, as she had a queen bed and plenty of space for her. I settled down and arranged my things, and distributed the gifts and requests that I had been given to bring them. After a while her mom, her aunt and the kids went to bed, I believe they all had work and school the next day. But Iliana, Mari and Me stayed up, talking and joking, looking at pictures from my adventures in Europe and all over the USA. We saw New York, Seattle, California, Oregon, Washington, and many more. Soon an hour or two had gone by and we decided it was time to get some rest. The morning was going to be busy for Iliana and Me, as we had to catch the bus to Puerto Vallarta at 7 or so. I remember going into the room, laying down on her bed, and I was out. The first day was in the books.
No comments:
Post a Comment