Today I am swimming in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in my life. We have an 11 hour layover in Fort Lauderdale so Lauren and I take a cab from the airport to a breakfast place a few miles away and then decide to walk approximately 5 miles down to the beach. This would probably not be considered such a great a feat in California but the 90 degree weather and 85 percent humidity is a bit of a challenge for 2 girls from cool, breezy Monterey. All things considered it is a wonderful walk and I am really enjoying all the giant beautiful flowers and lush vegetation we pass on the way. The sidewalks are covered with lizards of all sizes and 2 giant iguanas crawl across our path and into the bushes right in front of us as we walk along the waterway that separates the beach from the rest of the city. These are the first wild iguanas I've ever seen, so today is a day of firsts for me.

After a dip in the oh-so-warm and calm Atlantic, we join Lauren's family from Miami for lunch. We find a table at a great seafood place right on the beach and yes, I order salmon. I am going to South America after all, a continent known for its meat, so I suppose it's about time I ease back into being a carnivore. It's a slow transition, one which will begin with my delicious grilled salmon lunch. While we eat and drink giant margaritas it starts pouring rain, which is soon followed by deafening thunder and bright lightning. From under the safety of the restaurant awning I get to see firsthand how a beautiful day in the south can quickly escalate to a thick storm. We get back to the airport relatively dry and just in time to catch the World Cup game, Argentina vs. the Netherlands. Only 18 minutes in and so far no score...c'mon Argentina!!! In about 7 hour's time we'll be in Lima, I can't wait! Signing off for now, see you all in Peru!