Not much sleep last night. The temperature is uncomfortably hot and we had a terrific thunderstorm circle the bay.
The weather for the next few days is looking rather stormy.
We’re safely bedded down at our hotel in Puerto Vallarta.
Sufferring from jet lag from the flight here, tired, relaxed, sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
We touched down at Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (Puerto Vallarta) at 12.32pm local time (18.32pm in the UK).
Now in hotel relaxing.
Took off from Charlotte, North Carolina a little late (again) at 9.38am on route to Puerto Vallarta.
We should arrive at 12.26pm local time.
Flying over: South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Mexico …… nearly there.
Arrived at Terminal 7 at JFK Airport, New York at 4.00am to find it closed!! Thought it was linked to Hurricane Earl – but fortunately it was just the airport doesn’t open until one hour before the first flight – ours.
Departed JFK on an Airbus A319 a little bit later than expected at 6.42am. The flight was expected to land in Charlotte, North Carolina at 8.22am but must have had a bit of a tail wind as we landed in Charlotte at 7.58am. The flight was a bit turbulent as we skirted Hurricane Earl.
Weather in Charlotte fair 64F with a very light SW wind.
We take off for the final leg of our outbound journey to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at 9.29am.
We awoke a 3.30am, couldn’t sleep – still on UK time. Took a dawn walk to the Empire State Building (too early – closed). Enjoyed an early morning breakfast in Time Square – eggs over easy. We then embarked on a whirlwind tour of NY on an opened topped bus followed by a trip on the Staten Island Ferry and a visit to Ground Zero. Lunched in Chinatown, a quick visit to Macy’s, the Rockefeller Centre then an evening at the the Empire State Building (Opened).
A sweltering hot day but got back to the hotel to find leaflets on the bed telling us what to do in the event of a hurricane. Early to bed as we have to be at JFK Airport a 4.00am for our morning flight to Puerto Vallarta – hurricane Earl permitting.
After a flight of 7 hours and 40 minutes we touched down at Newark at 6.41pm local time (11.41pm UK). It’s a hot summers evening in NY with the temperature in the 90’s.
Next stop Manhattan and the Jolly Madison Hotel.
Wednesday 1st September – A sunny morning and Sonia and Charlotte are ready to go.
Sonia and Charlotte - Packed and ready to go
We set off for Heathrow at 11.00am and after a journey of roughly two hours arrived safely at Terminal 3. We checked in for our Virgin flight VS0001 for Newark, New Jersey. We said a tearful goodbye to Will and Dad at the departure gate and we headed off through security at 2.00pm to hit the “Duty Free” shops.
Mexico here we come - Security at Heathrow
We boarded our flight at 3.45pm on an Airbus A340 named “Lady Luck” – taking off at 4.20pm for the first leg of our journey to Mexico, via Newark airport and over-nighting in New York.
The official web site of the Mexico games can be viewed at:
I fly out to Mexico on Wednesday 1st September via the US arriving in Puerto Vallartta on the 3rd September. I have a few days to settle in and train before the competion starts on the 7th September.
Please visit this web site to follow how I get on.
Sunday 8 August 2010 saw my last competition before the World Games for Athletes with Down Syndrome in Mexico. A very hot day in Norfolk saw me running for Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club at the University of East Anglia’s Sport City track in Norwich in an East Anglian Athletics League match.
I competed as a non scorer in the 100m and 200m for the club. It was a good competition although not my quickest times – but a good run out before my big competition in Mexico.
UEA Sport City Track - my last competition before Mexico
Next stop Mexico. Mum and I leave for Mexico flying from Heathrow via the US on the 1st September. Please watch this space for updates throughout the competition in Mexico.
Thank you to all my friends and family for your support, I will do my best in Mexico to repay everyone’s generosity.
