Roll call: Shenandoah Valley to Miami

Our Haiti adventure began at o-dark:30 this morning when the nine of us gathered at the Pastor Henry's church. We loaded up the van and were on our way to the airport , a relatively uneventful drive. I sat in the back row and had an opportunity to dialogue with Janet, the pastor's wife. Now here's a woman who takes things in stride....Conversation centered around what one would expect with a pastor's wife-the assault rifle parts she purchased for her daughter for Christmas, the merits of concealed carry versus open carry, and how many rounds of .22 LR would be appropriate for home storage.

The trip through the airport was remarkably smooth, except for my turn at security. Screeners had to inspect every last piece of my medical equipment; a supervisor was called over when they discovered the MRE rations. My water packets were confiscated but they allowed me to keep my beans and rice. Apparently peanut butter does not count as a liquid so that got to stay too. Beyond the delay at the screening checkpoint, there is not much airport stuff really to mention (other than my quiet amusement at seeing a women's softball team camped at the Aer Lingus counter).

After our arrival to Miami international Airport, we picked up our ample checked baggage (but not before I pointed out to my Shenandoah Valley colleagues that the Hasidic Jew we crossed paths with was NOT, in fact, an Old Order Mennonite), and high-tailed it to the local Holiday Inn Express.

Right now it's a waiting game at the hotel until we depart for Port-au-Prince very early tomorrow morning, when we will once again hit the airport at o-dark 30 for some more TSA fun. It will give me a chance to eat, rest, and take one last inventory of meds & supplies.