Being in Miami Airport is like still being in Latin America, sort of. I say this because practically everyone speaks Spanish and you hear it everywhere. That's about where the similarities to Latin America end.
Up until this point, I've been thoroughly annoyed with me reentry/Miami Airport experience.
First off, I really dislike Miami, the people here tend to be rude as hell. As I said in my earlier entry, Miami is a ridiculously huge airport (I think I've walked about a mile and a half). Really, the size of the airport isn't the actual source of my irritation, it's, once again, the TSA that has managed to get under my skin.
First off, you have to walk about a mile to get to customs, this walk comes complete with a bunch of signs reminding you that you're walking in the direction of "Passport Control" (aka HELL). Once you get to HELL, get to have the most miserable government employees in the world yell at you, "Move to this line, step forward, follow the yellow dots, do a hand stand, whistle the Star-Spangled Banner, etc. etc. All of that is just to get them to let you back in the country.
Once I got through he wonderful experience of passing through the passport verification process, I got to meet my new favorite TSA agent. From the moment I saw this guy and he started talking, I wanted to tell him, "There's something about your face that makes me want to punch it." Instead of doing that, I decided I try to accomplish reentry to the country and answer all of this guy's stupid, and I mean stupid, questions.
Here is the rundown of the interrogation:
TSA Moron: Where you been?
Me: Quito, Ecuador
TSA Moron: Are you sure that's where you have been?
Me: Yes
TSA Moron: How long were you there?
Me: 8 months
TSA Moron: There are a lot of good things in Quito, but there are also a lot of bad things. My job is to find the bad things. So, you bringing any bad things for me?
Me: No
TSA Moron: What were you doing in Ecuador?
Me: Volunteer work for a foundation called Yachana
TSA Moron: And how long were you in Ecuador? (second time he asks me this, as if I were going to slip up and tell him something different)
Me: 8 months
TSA Moron: Okay, so were you in Ecuador as a missionary?
Me: No
TSA Moron: So who were you working for?
Me: a volunteer foundation called Yachana (this is where I almost lost my temper)
TSA Moron: So that's not and NGO? You know, a Non Government Organization.
Me: I know, and no.
TSA Moron: Okay, follow the yellow dots, welcome back.
Me: [Mumble not nice things under my breath]
Fun times, huh?
Aside from that lovely experience, here is a list of observations that I have made so far:
1. Hearing English on TV, over intercoms and in the form of chatter from people is a bit overwhelming. I don't know if it is the contrast with having heard Spanish for the past eight months, but Americans sound loud!
2. Americans, it's diet time! I have noticed how much bigger people are.
3. Marketing is attacking me from all sides!
4. There are a lot of people here!
5. This place is big!
6. In the news, they're discussing the latest attempted terrorist attack, which is scary and depressing. :-( I haven't heard a thing about terrorism for 8 months.
7. I was strangely annoyed by some guy who was trying to make friendly conversation (he was complaining about the wait for HELL).
8. Things are expensive! I was going to buy a drink, but not for $3 bucks.
9. Aside from the guy that tried to make annoying conversation, everyone seems very unfriendly and I feel just the same.
10. This air conditioning is freezing me out!
11. MIA Wifi isn't free and I'm not paying $4 bucks for 30 mins of net.
12. They're talking about things I have no clue about on the news.
I'm sorry if I seem very negative, I'm sure positive things will happen eventually. I think, up until now, I've had negative experiences because I'm in a lousy airport.
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