No. We haven't been abducted by rebel militia and spirited away to their mountain retreat while our friends and relative raise $37.18 to ensure our safe return. We have in fact been quite busy stocking, cleaning, decorating and living in our newest Shangri-La. We promise to post a vid or pics. Can't say when though. If you want an up-close and personal tour of the digs, ping us on Skype and we will give you the nickel tour.
So, back to the story....
We booked our expedition to Cuenca, Ecuador to debunk all the hype. Bear in mind, shortest route and money saved were high priority items.
At the assigned hour, two hours prior to flight time and never a convenient hour of the day, we arrived at the curbside check-in to begin the first leg of our flight. Seattle-Tacoma international to LAX with a brief layover to accommodate our transfer to another airline for leg two of the flight. No prob, right? people do it everyday.
If you have never been to LAX, consider yourself very fortunate. The way most travelers change concourses and airlines, is by standing in poorly signed lines awaiting busses that tour different areas of the airport acquiring and depositing passengers. We found our line for the bus (which at least was free, the first free thing we had encountered that day other than the abundant opportunities to wait in line and otherwise waste time).  The ride was interesting (that is a massive complex) and we were spit out at the proper terminal and actually made our flight, LAX to Miami. This was the longest leg of the flight and we got to enjoy it in 'the cheap seats'. I don't fly often but I swear the economy section gets more cramped each time. I have heard that the newest passenger airplanes are featuring a super-economy section where passengers will be shrink-wrapped and stacked in piles in the very back of the plane.
Oh and another of my favorite parts of a flight. The plane lands, the attendant announces 'welcome to blah blah, please remain seated until the aircraft has come a complete stop and the doors have been opened'. Thirty seconds later the plane is still taxiing to the terminal and every blockhead, dope, Cretan  and knucklef### is out of their seat, in the aisle, digging out their overhead bags, and clogging the aisle for no good reason. They aren't going anywhere unless someone in a more forward position in the planes decides to relent their position to this chump who can't wait to deplane so he can stand in line again to retrieve his checked bags. Herd mentality I suppose. If you happen to be one of these types, STOP IT!.
Anyway, we made it to Miami. It was a long and uncomfortable trip. No fault of the airline really. I just have a body type that is not compatible with economy class.
More another time.