Trains, trucks and automobiles.  And not in that order.

To catch you up, the auto train was fun and not so much. Better than driving, for sure, but no luxury picnic.  I was lucky, had no one in the seat next me, that would have definitely cramped my style.  There was, however, a lot of "humanity" near me and that was always interesting.  there have been many times during my stay in Miami when I wondered where had all the old, retired Jews gone?  You know the ones, in the white shoes, with the NY accents. I think they've been gentrified out of Miami Beach to points farther north.  But don't you worry, they are alive and well on the auto train!  From the expert holding court to all the novices in the extremely long line to check in (yes, I admit I was listening when I could) to the hilarious guys with whom I had the pleasure of eating dinner.

Sol and Sal. Both transplanted NJ-ites who've been in Ft.Lauderdale area for going on 30 years. They were hysterical. I can't do them justice. I should have written it down that night. The fourth at the table was Noreen, a 20 something Haitian born woman who lived in Trenton most of her life. She had just moved to Orlando about 4 weeks earlier, but decided it wasn't for her.

The conversation was all over with Sol trying to make political commentary on the different treatment of Haitians and Cubans and I was holding my breath. Noreen had no clue. You're from Trenton, he says, there's a prison there. Again, I'm thinking, what's the reaction going to be... laughter. We're making chit chat...eating away and Sol is like a commercial. "This is good fish. Its light, its airy, the breading is just right. This fish is very good." All three of them had taken the auto train before. I was the only "newbie" in the group. Then, I don't remember what started it, but Sol started telling us jokes. After each joke he would explain it. Until finally he got to one joke, where the punch line was about a schnauzer and I didn't get it. Oh no, he said, he couldn't explain that one because he didnt know us. C'mon Sol, that's not fair. Finally I dragged enough clues out of him that it was a reference to female parts. A schnauzer? that's a new one on me. That's when I decided it was time to retire back to my seat.

It certainly wasn't horrible and it certainly wasn't great. I contorted in many different positions that night before the light of morning.

Once we arrived in VA the cars came off pretty quickly, at least mine did.  I had to turn off my brain and just drive so to make it to my friend's house for a much needed shower. I only overshot by a few miles and exits.  It has been almost 4 years, after all!

Rejuvenated I went and had lunch and spent the afternoon with a friend.  Strolling through capitol hill was a pleasure as always.  It was a treat to visit my old neighborhood and catch up on all the new buildings, renovations, news and gossip.

Back to Arlington for dinner, visiting and I was out like light.

The next day, I began the next leg of the journey.  The trek north.   But first a mango meeting.  I brought two boxes full of fresh mangos with me and my car was starting to smell like a ripening fruit stand.  I stopped in College Park for lunch with my #1 niece and to hand off a few mangos.  I feel like Trader Mango.  I have shared mangos with every one I meet.  I have peeled and cut tons of them for the freezer and I'll be making mango cocktails the second we hit the beach on Saturday.  Its very possible that I could actually turn mango yellow soon. Not that I'm complaining in any way.   Those mangos are sweet and delicious and something from Miami so I'm enjoying every one of them!

Today the storage unit, tomorrow the world.  My world at least.  It is rumored that the truck with all my worldly belongings will arrive tomorrow.  Actual time still unknown.  Its been a weird slightly untethered feeling not to have any of that stuff. 

Yesterday I had nothing.  No keys to any place, no where to call home.  Today, I'm just a little closer.  I have a house key, a storage unit key, moderate start to organization in a room of my own. Thank you Virginia Woolf, now I finally understand.

The adventure continues... or just begins, more accurately.  I'm starting to get excited about apartment hunting, job starting and basically getting going with this new chapter.  C'mon world, bring it.  I think I'm ready!