Aborting the take off in Nashville

And here we are, back again at the ramp where it all started. Air Canada flight 8031, due to arrive in Toronto at 13:08, will be late.
All seemed fine during take off, until, unexpectedly, the plane slowed down. And then the brakes were applied more strongly and the plane diverted off the main lane.
"Brake testing", one passenger in front of me believed. "Unusual", I thought, but hoped he was right and believed it too. Until the captain told us they had gotten some warnings and needed to go back to the ramp to have the plane checked.
Dec 31st, 2007. At the Silver Dolar, waiting for the show to begin, decided to finish this episode. So we got out of the plane and people from Delta Airlines, who were operating the flight for Air Canada, told us they couldn't do anything for us and that we should call a 1-800 number. But people at that number were even less informed. It seemed that I would have to stay over in Nashville for another day.
Which was, actually, fine by me. I didn't have nothing planned for Toronto and knew that an interesting band would be playing on Saturday at the Station Inn I had visited on Friday.
But waiting payed off. There was a rumor that the plane might be ready in 2 hours and this to be almost true. They actually needed an extra half hour to test the engines once more, and I was glad to wait for THAT.
And that was made up by the tail wind we had, so, at 4 p.m., only 2 hours late, I set my feet in Canada for the first time.

Leaving Nashville

I had a great time in Nashville. It was also a relaxing time. I did a lot, but not too much. I even slept some. But, most importantly, I finally met the family I knew so much about, but had previously had so little opportunity to really get to know. Only those who had been to Brazil I had met briefly.
This time I had more time for them and they for me, I really enjoyed it. As Roger said, we are blessed with a beautiful family.
I uploaded the pictures I have taken these days to picasa, and below you'll find the links. Now I have to start packing for Toronto tomorrow.

071223 Nashville Sptephen's birthday	071224 Nashville Christmas' Eve	071225 Nashville Christmas Brunch
071226-27 Passeio em Nashville com Julia	071228 Nashville Mall

Arrival in Nashville

OK, so finally I arrived in Nashville. It is very much like a dream come true. I always wanted to come to Nashville, to visit my family here and experience the "American way of life". But it never worked out. Bad timing, usually, like that time with that incident they later called 9/11.
But now I am here and it is pretty cool. My family is cool. I like all my cousins and I am sure I am going to have fun with them.
Today I was glad I had decided to take a car to the airport. The day sarted really wet in New York, and it wouldn't have been nice to walk 5 or 6 blocks in Queens with two heavy suitcases and a backpack under the cold (really cold) rain.
In the airport all went well. I again was screened very thoroughly, I have to find out what is it, that makes those people suspicious. But the flight was without incidents and I even caught some American football on TV at JFK.
Here in Nashville we had the whole family together, commemorating Stephen's 14th birthday. Was a good way to start my stay here in Nashville.