The big white van was parked outside my house as I took my trash out to the garbage can. The last thing I wanted was to leave broken eggshells, damp paper towels, and other food garbage in my apartment for a month. I was surprised my ride was here early. I held up the bag of trash and joked that this was all I had packed. After I had double-checked my car was locked, we headed out. This was it, my journey had begun. (Or is it ever really over?)
Driving to the airport I rehearsed my itinerary, and was offered everything that Rambo-Santa would carry in his bag: Knives, pepper spray, batteries, a GPS, and a flashlight. I purposefully didn't bring a knife- I've learned several lessons the hard way, and if you know me well, you've heard my story about being detained at DIA for carrying 2 knives through security, and having a conversation about going to jail. I couldn't decline the generosity being shown, so I hesitantly put a knife and LED flashlight in my checked luggage. As I unloaded my gear from the truck, I was given one final piece of advice: Stay away from the whores.
And I haven't even left St. Louis yet...
