Here We Go Again...

I’ve gotten behind on my blog updates, but what else is new?  Hopefully I can fill you in on our trip to Pucon soon, although you might not get every juicy detail like you’re used to (due to the fact that it’s been a while since the trip, and also the fact that my notebook with all the notes to help me remember said details is currently smooshed between some couch cushions at my parents’ house in Wisconsin).  Hey, at least I got the Facebook photos uploaded!

Well, right now I am once again sitting in an airport waiting for my next adventure.  I must say, though, that this is by far the most elegant terminal I’ve ever been to.  I arrived to Minneapolis from La Crosse at around 4:30, and my flight to London doesn’t leave until almost 10:00, so I’ve got a bit of time to kill.  Luckily for me, I get to wait in the newly-remodeled “G” terminal!  A small section of the waiting area is “normal,” in that it has a few rows of traditional row seats lined up against the wall.  The rest of the waiting area is taken up by small 1-2 person booths and larger bar-style tables, each with a comfortable white leather chair and an individual iPad for each seat!  There is also a snack bar in the corner, but you don’t even have to get up from your seat—just select a picture of your favorite food from the menu on your iPad, and it will be delivered fresh to your table within 15 minutes!  I was almost tempted to try it out, but the luxury is definitely one that you must pay for.  A small, plain coffee here at the gate goes for nearly $4.  Walk a few feet to the entrance of the terminal and get a “fancy” coffee for just over $2!  Of course you know which option I chose!

It’s currently 6:15 pm, and I’m already pretty hyped up on caffeine.  I had two cups of it this morning before leaving, too!  Now, with the addition of my “fancy” coffee, I’m hoping that the combination of insane amounts of caffeine and sugar will lead to a great crash in about 4 hours or so (just the time I’ll be settling in for my transatlantic flight).  Of course, this plan could totally backfire and I’ll just be wired the entire 9 hours, too.  Luckily, I’m pretty sure there are power outlets on the plane, so that just means I get to spend more time with you lovely people!

There’s actually not free wi-fi in this section of the airport (they want you to use the iPads and be tempted by all the pictures of delicious food that they have strategically placed in the background of all your favorite websites).   I finally figured out how to change the date/time on my blog posts, though, so you won’t even know that I wasn’t publishing on the spot!  Well, I guess except for the fact that I just told you.

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Since Mauricio showed it to me a couple months ago, I have been completely addicted to Foursquare!  Unfortunately, I’m a little bit behind the times and only had a second generation iPod—it was so old, in fact, that I couldn’t even update the programs anymore!  I did manage to download the app, but it was pretty glitchy.  Luckily for me, I managed to convince Mom to trade me for her (slightly newer but still not cutting edge) generation four iPod.  She mostly uses hers to play “Angry Birds,” and was super excited to see that I had unlocked about 9 different themes for the game.  I’d say we both came out ahead in the switch.  Actually, I probably came out a bit better, because there is nothing quite as entertaining as watching Mom play “Angry Birds.”  She really lets it live up to its name!

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Anyways, back to Foursquare.  Now that I’ve gotten a new iPod that is more reliable, I’ve been checking in constantly!  It has taken me a while to learn how to see information on a place without checking in—there was one interesting blunder during that learning process in which I checked in at a strip club!  And of course all of the check-ins are published publicly to Facebook.  I wonder what my students thought of that one… It’s all part of the intrigue, I suppose!  I’m so addicted to Foursquare that I’ve already checked in to 6 different places here in the airport.  I would check in to more, except that because I have a lowly iPod (and not an iPhone that can connect to the internet anywhere), I can only check-in at places that have or are near to free wi-fi connections.  I know, that is so 2007!  (Can you tell that I’ve had a bit more coffee than usual today?).

I’m actually not really sure why I’m writing a blog post right now.  Mostly to tell you how cool this terminal is.  Also because I’ve had more caffeine in the past 8 hours than I normally do in an entire week.  I would say both are equally valid reasons.  But alas, I must now leave you for the time being.  The little ladies’ room is calling my name.