Esther last day in Mobile

This morning, went to the engraving shop to collect the pewter ware which Esther sent for engraving few days ago. However, the lady forgot all about doing it. She was so busy with her other work that she completely forgot. Esther said they are like that. When you are in the South, you cannot expect efficiency. Everything is slow-paced and everyone here seems so patient. I dont think I have heard any sounding of hornsfrom car drivers ever since I came here.

Anyway, the lady promised us that she will get it done now and we can come collect it later in the evening. Before we left the shop, she actually asked Esther how was her date with Bruce. She even asked Esther if she was still interested to give him the pewter ware. Haha. She said she was just checking...Very humorous people here in US..

Esther and I planned to catch a movie show in the afternoon but did not do so cos on Fridays, the show starts later in evening. So, we did not watch in the end.

I did not bring her out much today cos we needed to pack our bags for our trip to Arkansas over the next few days. So, decided to rest and pack. Since we were free in the afternoon, we played tennis. The weather was perfect...cooling and sunny..probably low 20s. Esther again played allpowerful corner shots that made it difficult for me to play, but it really kept me alert and on my toes. She made me practise a lot on my backhand which was good cos that was my weak point.

At night, we went back to airport to return our rented car and waited for CT there as he also returning his rented car. His company rented another car for him to drive long distance to Arkansas. So,he needed to return the present car. We reached airport at about 620pm and waited for CT till 650pm. Avis did not allow CT to return his car cos his contract was not up yet and he should return at another location. It was ridiculous but the gal at the counter insisted that he should not return at the airport. So, we ended up with 2 cars.

In the end, I had to drive one car to the dinner place while CT drove the other. Esther came with me. We went to "Golden Corral" for dinner. It is a western Southern buffet place with great steaks and fried chicken. We arranged dinner with CT's colleagues so that they have a chance to meet Esther.

I must say that Esther really fitted in well as she is very sociable. In the end, CT's colleague drove one of our cars back to our apartment with Esther in it. I went back with CT. haha..Tthe rented car which we would be driving to Arkansas is a new Chevrolet Malibu car. Quite nice.

Will be setting off tomorrow at about 9am plus to Arkansas.From Moblie to Arkansas is 11 hours drive. But we would be stopping by at one place for a night before carrying on our journey. So, it would be 6 hours drive first, then 5 hours drive. Not too bad. Just poor CT cos he would be the only one driving since it is his company's car.