Things I learned on vacation....

1. Logan Airport is so dark and depressing in comparison to so many
other airports. And I've been to plenty of them, believe me. I just
came back from Tampa and let me tell you - it's almost embarrassing to
see Logan. I mean, some terminals are really nice, and the restaurants
and what not are good - but truly, Massport should take a lesson from
some of these other airports. They are nothing short of beautiful.

2. Everything in Tampa and the surrounding suburbs is fast food style.
This really surprised me -- it's all strip malls, retail stores, giant
malls, fast food and drive through. Very little "industry" to speak of.
No professional buildings, or doctors offices. Even the medical clinics
are in strip malls. And there are pawn shops and bail bondsmen shops
everywhere!! There's even drive through liquor stores which totally
blew me away! Who ever heard of such a thing?!? So very different from
the lifestyle up here in MA. I'd never really spent any time in Tampa
and it's perfect for shopping!! There's no shortage of anything there,
which isn't a bad thing. Love Jamba Juice -- best smoothies ever, and
I'm hoping that they come some place close to me soon! And "Bright
Smile" - the teeth whitening you can get done in a doctor's office - is
at the mall for $99. $250 less than at the dentist!! I want to go back
for that alone! Not that my teeth aren't white, but who couldn't use a
little more brightness?

3. Hyenas are far larger in person than I ever expected them to be! We
went to Busch Gardens Africa while we were there (I'll post a few
pictures this week!) and two of my favorite animals are there. They
aren't the most beautiful in the jungle - but beauty is in the eye of
the beholder, no? I love, love, love Wildebeast and Hyenas. And they
were both there!!! I just had no idea how large Hyenas truly are; when
you see them on television you don't really get a great perspective, but
seeing them right up close and personal - - they are far larger than I
had thought. All of the animals at Busch Gardens were very active, or
rather interactive -- including the lions who were just magnificent
looking. All the animals just seemed very happy and interested in
seeing people which was really quite nice.

4. Shipping your luggage is the best way to travel. Instead of taking
the carry-on luggage on the plane, we shipped it home. Works out great
because we packed clothes that are off season from what we need here at
home, so it's not as if we're missing anything. And we took home all of
our toiletry stuff in a duffel bag. No fuss, no muss out of the airport
-- into the taxi and off we went. FedEx is relatively inexpensive and
truly so worth it. You can send your stuff to your destination even --
days in advance so that it's there when you arrive. I think I'll be
doing that from now on. My parents gave me the idea and you know what -
it really works!

5. The Superbowl is just as big this year down South -- as it is up
North. I don't know if it's because Florida has so many Boston people?
Or because it's football in general. But it was the topic of
conversation every where we went, and on television as well. Not just
on the national channels either. That really surprised me. And, we ran
into lots of Giants fans as well which was pretty fun.

And on that note, those were my "lessons learned" from my vacation!
Being so close to Fort Myers (sorta) made me long for baseball and Spring Training. My parents live so close that I'm really tempted to go down this year to catch a game. Rumor this a.m. is that the Santana talks have heated up...though I haven't had the chance to blog surf just yet - I guess two pitching prospects went to the White
Sox I think?? They were traded somewhere....so I'm not sure where that puts us in the aspect of anything. But as much as I'm looking forward to the Superbowl - I'm also looking forward to baseball once again!!!!!