29th December

The crazy girls were jumping into the pool at 7am. I thought I'd overslept so jumped up in bed but just before I fell out of the side I spotted the clock and all was well. Went with Mikey to see about my flight reservation and get coffee. We were a bit delayed getting back so I had 30 mins to pack and shower before the bus went. Stupidly did the latter first and sweated more and more as I struggled to fit 19 kg into 6o litres. I mentioned to Mikey that I was dripping in sweat to which his politically-incorrect, east-European reply was

"Yes, I too am svetting like n*gger"

I told him he shouldn't say things like that in the Americas but he was adamant that

"Vot is wrong, is perfectly acceptable in Lithuania"

Said goodbyes to Leslie, Johanna, Mikey at the hotel. The Thais have already gone back to NY and the others (Beth, Jackie, Victoria and Shahela) came on the bus with us en route to Cancun. Trip was reasonably quick and said our emotional goodbye at the terminal. There was no queue at the desk and the Mexican lady gave me the immigration papers for the US in Spanish oping that I spoke a bit of the language.

Going through baggage check was usual ball-ache but it was great when the security guard pleaded with the 95% American contingent to put their shoes back on. Cancun airport like San Jose is horrible. Dominoes, Starbucks, Bubba Gump Shrimp house, McD, BK - you got the lot. Finally found the peanut butter Twix that has eluded me since Peru and settled down with Harry Potter.

Continental Airlines staff still their unprofessional selves after 4 months and the in-flight snack was inedible and my small tin of Heineken $5. The film was a chick flick but I did have a spare seat next to me (the only one on the flight) which was good.The flight was just over 3 hours.

I couldn't believe immigration in Newark - I was through passport check and baggage reclaim in 15 mins. Although the interview with a very hardened female "Nu Yoiker" was quite amusing.

Clerk: "Good evening and how are you today"
Steve: "Coolio. How are you today?"
Clerk: "Ugh? I'm fine. What brings you to the US"
Steve (trying not to say Penelope Cruz): "The New Year festivities. I am here for 4 days"
Clerk: "Where are you staying? Are you travelling alone?"
Steve: "The Mansfield Hotel. Yes"
Clerk: What job do you do?
Steve: "I don't, I am unemployed"
Clerk (with eyes narrowing): "What job did you used to do"
Steve: "I was an IT Manager"
Clerk: "Have you been to the US before"
Steve: "Yes, twice"
Clerk: "When was the last time?"
Steve: "Vegas. In March"
Clerk: "Did you have a job then?"
Steve: "Er, yes"
Clerk: "That was a joke. I was implying that you spent a lot of your salary on the tables"
Steve: "Oh, ok, very good, very funny!"
Clerk: "Thanks. I see you have filled in the Immigration papers in Spanish. Do you speak Spanish"
Steve (fighting back the urge to say 'na, they're all the same, I just winged it'): "Er, yes"

Decided to get the bus downtown to save a bit of cash (only cost 7$) but the first 2 were full so had to wait. The journey took about 45 mins but it is normally a lot quicker as the hispanic woman sitting next to me kept telling me.

Arrived at the hotel after a walk of 5 blocks (bloody cabby laughed when I told him how far I wanted to go. Finally, the wheels on the rucksack paid off). Very nice hotel, room is larger than expected with a double bed and breakfast is included which was also a surprise. Caroline had a migraine and had already gone to bed so I jumped into a cab and headed for Soho to meet the gang. They gave me the address as the restaurant on the corner of West Broadway and Grand St. I had a 50-50 chance of going into the right one. Opened door to first restaurant, everyone stopped eating and looked up. Sadly, I didn't recognise any of the faces.

The second one was a lot more successful. Lots of kisses of the girls and man-hugs from the boys and they all made me feel back home again. There is no news to catch up on so I have carte-blanche to bore them over the next few days with tales from the Americas.

We went to a crap sports bar first any couldn't move and then went to a real locals music bar which was great. Most of the gang were about 6 drinks to the good before I turned up so there were some drunken "Really missed you, mate, good to have you back" from all of them. The nicest part of the night is that they wouldn't let me buy any of the drinks.

I think we left about 2 ish before we departed and I went back to a sound night's sleep in the Mansfield Hotel...

... did I hell! Watched the 40 inch plasma TV in my room - the first english-speaking telly for 4 months!!!!