Sunday, June 20, 2010

Mi Viaje: Part II

I decided not to concern myself further with the runaways.

The kiosk for the gate opened and I went up with everyone else and got my passport checked. I also got my boarding pass reprinted, as my over-nighter in Vegas had left it cripplingly crumpled. I finished checking in and returned to my seat.

Presently, another duo of travellers, these looking to be my age, came and sat across from me. The first one, who wore glasses and a little scruff, said to the second one 'wanna sit with the bags while I check in, and I'll watch 'em while you check in?'. He seemed familiar with the process. I couldn't help myself...

"Is Bogotá your final stop?" I asked the second one, this time with no pretense.
'yep!'
"whatcha gonna do there?"
He grinned big 'just... Mess around for a while.'
He had a bandana around his head, and he was flipping through a book called "Cinco novelitas y un cuento".

I figured they were looking for an adventure in one form or another; They seemed the transient type.

When we finally boarded the plane (I say 'finally', but it actually went pretty quickly) I was sitting across from them (the other two were in first class). I ended up having all 3 seats on my side to myself. I started my iPhone timelapse and put it in the window. I had a couple more exchanges with the second one--the one with the book--(we'll call him "Johnnie", and the other "Juan") but eventually I let him be.

The flight was over before I knew it, and I mean that in a figurative way. As the captain announced our descent into Bogotá, I leaned across the isle and struck up the conversation with Johnnie again...

"you guys stayin at a hostel or something--Wanna share a cab?"
'uh... I'm not sure exactly what our plans are. I'll have to ask him.' He jerked his thumb towards Juan, who was chatting with the guy in the window seat in español. 'I know his grandma lives about a half hour from the airport but I don't know what our plan is, you wanna grab a beer or something?'
"ah, no thanks..."
'alright, uh?... Yeah well I'll let you know what we decide, definitely."

Man, I really am a horrible conversationist.

No comments:

Post a Comment