From the Business Centre in Manchester

Thanks to the 'scheduled maintenance' of one of Iberia Airlines' airplanes, I arrived three hours late to Frankfurt yesterday and missed my connecting flight. I spent the evening in Frankfurt and woke up early to take an alternative flight through Manchester to Chicago. I will hold back the words I would like to write about Iberia Airlines and suffice with saying that it is good to be back in the Anglo-Saxon world, and in the good hands of British Airways and American Airlines. I now feel much more confident of timely departure and friendly service for the duration of the trip.

I should land at O'hare at 1:00 P.M., only 21 hours after the scheduled arrival. And I will say that this is the first such delay I have experienced in 3 years of international travel. Let's hope this is also the last such occurrence.

Now, it's back to the comforts of the British Airways VIP lounge, with its free snacks and drinks. Sure, it's nice, but it doesn't make up for the missed time with friends on Friday night and Saturday morning... Don't worry, Primo, I still plan to see you at Liar's club, tonight.