[R-390] Email transit time/slow electrons?

[Dan Merz]

Hi, I'm sure there's a reason - is it that some electrons are slower than
others?  I sent mail post at 7:01 pm and it was posted  and back to me at
9:29 pm.  I sent mail post at 8:34 pm and it was posted and back to me at
8:34 pm within the minute.  Is this somewhat random depending on pathway and
some kind of blockage?  This is first time I've noticed this reversal of
times happen.   I never looked into the protocol or process for email going
from point A to point B - I know it involves phone lines and at least one
storage event on the receiving end.  Was my delayed message just going
around and around or was it more likely just waiting on traffic somewhere?
Multiple skip until it hit the right port? R390,  Dan.