Some of the most beautiful words in the entire world have already been used thousands of times. But that doesn't make them any less beautiful. So too with people. – Author Unknown

After a night at a hotel that has probably spawned a variety of new diseases we were quite eager to leave this lap of luxury. Debating over breakfast our route to Ecuador, we had heard rumors in Bogota as well again in Cali that there were tobacco farmers on strike and therefore not allowing any overland traffic to or from Colombia. We knew that it was another 14-hours at least by bus to the border, and since our plan was to get to Peru within the next few days we had a decision to make–risk taking the 14-hour bus only to find out that the border was indeed impassable and return to Cali losing two or more days, or suck it up and take a flight from Cali, which was the nearest airport to get us to Ecuador. After some eggs and tortillas we chose the latter option and headed for the airport. Since the earliest flight wasn't until the evening Char and I have no problems finding ways to entertain ourselves and so the afternoon was spent having another laughing session. However, things got real when it was time to go through the security check and head to our boarding gate. I have never experienced a more thorough airport inspection than I did by both airport security and the Colombian government. First of all every person carrying on a bag has all of the contents examined if not dumped out on the table, they even flipped through my book. Secondly, they would take five people at a time in to a room where one by one you were body scanned. It’s a good thing they didn’t find my Trident. Because you know, 4 out of 5 dentists recommend it.

