Washington National Airport this Morning (yes Part II is Coming)
Leaving Querétaro on the 13th of September was uneventful, except for a little backup on Highway 57 to México City. The United Express Embraer Air was not full – thus no one was ask to get off due to weight issues at a 6000 foot high take off. There were a few familiar faces from Bombardier heading back to Wichita or Montreal – surprising as they generally take the company shuttle aircraft.
I arrived at Houston on time and there was only a small line through immigration. I found a wonderful little airport bistro and ordered a goat cheese and beet salad with Margarita Flatbread and a delightful Petite Sarah.
Then, my flight to DC was on an older A320 in 1st Class (no modern entertainment system). 1st class on domestic flights is generally stuffed with grumpy middle-aged white guys, who get there complimentary upgrade because they fly a lot on United (one of the top hated corporations in the country). This time, I lucked out, as I found myself sitting next to a very blond, blond, who could obviously type faster than me.
She ordered red wine, which prompted me to strike up a conversation. For a time it was like the good old days when flying was an adventure, and temporary friendships were often made. Now mostly the grumpy old white men slide on their noise-canceling Bose headphones and that is that.
While I was in the air, my buddy Raul was driving my Ford Focus Titanium across country to help me with some upgrades to my house in Piney Point. He was pulled over by the Texas Rangers and questioned for an hour before they insisted on searching my vehicle in spite of the fact that I have him listed as an insured driver for the trip. Fucking Texas.
Worst yet, in Oklahoma, late at night when checking into a Super 8 Hotel, he was grabbed by three young men at knife point and they made off with $300 in cash – likely to score some cheap meth. Fortunately they did not see any value in his wallet or my car. Midwestern America has become the meth center of the universe these days – although I read Reno, Nevada is vying for 1st Place.
I’m not sure what I am coming home to except to a house full of too much stuff – from homes in Philadelphia and Tampa. The goal is to start ridding myself of clutter – and it is no easy task.
Also I am going for a refi, as interest rates are at near historic lows. My goal early on was to pay off the house before retirement, yet that changed when it became evident that I can cut my mortgage payment in half and lease the house for twice the amount.
I am detached from Piney Point now, intending for it to be an income property only. After Querétaro my hopes are to head back to my beloved California. Yet I may likely end up in India or China, as that’s where there is money to be made.
Who knows, but is clear America is dying a slow death – end of the Empire? Well, I am just kidding, and these dark times will improve, after the election anyway.
I spent two glorious but busy days in Piney Point, and I am actually back in Querétaro. I was supposed to post all of the above when I arrived last Thursday, but I just had too much to do.
Its Mexican Independence Day today but all seems pretty calm. I’m told the celebration really begins the night before. I hear fireworks and thunder. The rain is pouring down, and likely will all night. Part II, the return trip, next.
