Having departed LAX before leaving Aukland (at 2pm, Feb 23), we're on the way to Pittsburgh. This is my last leg of the trip (except a car ride home from the airport) and nearly there for my father. Thus ends a 3 week vacation to New Zealnd, and I have my mandatory sheepskin rug to prove it.

Having sat around in LAX for something like 5 hours, the truth of having left New Zealand behind is sinking in. The people aren't (anyhwere near as) friendly, the mood is different, the pace of life, the feeling of it all... as we walked from terminal 2 to terminal 1, I took an unfortunate deep breath, which drove home that the air sure is different over here.