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.

Last day in NY

Easy day, today. Nothing too exciting, but some good conversation with Henrique, who is a graduated MBA and has lots to show me.
Actually, yesterday night was fun. I went out with Henrique and two of his friends to the W Hotel bar. Cool and funny stories, and I saw for the first time the benefits of the accounting classes, while discussing Citi's and PWC's share performances.
But today I gave in to the buying pressure and spent some money on a nice woolen jacket, an aviator cap and good skiing gloves at trcentury. Good prices and I'm sure that Kingston will be friggin' cold.
Battery Park, the obligatory Statue of Liberty photos, Ground Zero (or the big hole). Now waiting for the subway back to Queens to a Brazillian dinner with rice and beans.
Tomorrow morning the flight to Nashville, where I will be picked up by my cousin Julia and my aunt.
Christmas will be at my aunt's, 14 people in all, will be fun.

Views from Henrique's apartment

Café Habana

After a nice walk in the sun in Central Park looking at the squirels I took the 6 train downtown at stopped at Canal Street to take a look at China Town. Then decided to try some pasta in Little Italy and ended up eating Cuban grilled chicken with Mexican tamarindo juice. Suits me fine.
The plan is then reach the southern tip of Manhattan and enjoy some of rest of the sun at the water front.

I didn't actually get to the water yet, but spent time looking at some shops and prices on Broadway and later met Henrique again, who took me to eat a great burger at th Burger Joint.
I'm now officially his guest until Sunday here in Queens.
What continues to be a problem is finding a good place to use the internet. Aaah... How I miss the European internet cafés around the train stations...

Second day in New York and life is fine

Sitting in the Telephone Bar and listening to Mjguel Weissman on harmonica and his swing band: accoustic guitar and bass and pretty brunette singer. All purely accoustic, no mikes, no amps. Very good indeed.
Now on a line 6 train uptown, back home. It was a good day. Lots of work in the morning for the endless economics assignment, finally over. Then the spontaneous buy of this Nokia E61 smartphone and a walk around 34th Street.
Found a public library where I could use the internet for exact 60 minutes, no more. But it was suficient to submit the assignment and post some pre-prepared posts.
Later a quick dinner at McDonald's to see if it really tastes like home, while watching a guy making open heart surgery on two Gameboys Advance.
And, after that, the highlight of the day: NY Knicks x Cleveland Cavalliers in the Madison Square Garden Arena with Henrique, and old acquaintance from Brazil who works for the Citigroup now.
All in all, a very good day.

3 Countries in 24 hours

I have arrived well in New York and already had fun with my two little cousins and walking around Manhattan in the evening. But the way was long, and not too easy. Because of jet lag, I'll use the bullet point writing style.