I'm kind of a big deal
UA customer service
Flowers :)
PS camera battery charge is in the checked luggage.. functioning mainly off of the ole iphone :)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sights
UA customer service
Flowers :)
PS camera battery charge is in the checked luggage.. functioning mainly off of the ole iphone :)
Ahahahahah
Ok, well I don't know how to begin to articulate the last 48 hours + of my life. My eyes are blood shot, I am as sleepy as ever, I have virtually no belongings here, and am jjjjeeetttllaggged... so here is my best attempt to recap...
2/13 8:15 am Carlsbad Airport -
On time
1 checked bag full of all my stuff
1 laptop bag with work and personal laptop and See's chocolate for our office
1 awesome owl bag with 3 books, 1 bible, makeup bag, jewelery, and purse
Normally I pack a back-up outfit, shoes, underwear, and deodorant. However, this time I was packing and I was like you know I waste space doing this everytime, I'm over it. So I packed back-up nothing.
9:30 am LAX -
About an hour until our flight to Tokyo leaves. I am preoccupied with collecting breakfast and lunch before our 12 hour flight to Tokyo. My biggest concern is the cougar wearing the same shiny spandex pants as me - ugh nothing worse than showing up to LAX and some chick wearing the same outfit as you.
11:40 am LAX -
Board plane. Awesome, I am in premium economy and no one is in the seat next to me. Life is good
12 pm LAX -
"attention folks we have no water pressure and are actually losing water". Mechanics run up and down the isles.
1 pm LAX -
"alright folks we are good to go, it was a value that was shut off. the mechanics fixed it up. Prepare for take off"
1.05 pm LAX -
Taxi back 5mm. Stop.
1:30 pm LAX -
"Well folks. we are losing our water from the back. We are bringing the mechanics back on". English speaking passengers - sighs of disgusts, rolling eyes, and nervous lip biting. Non-english speaking passengers - panicked looking around for a translation.
2 pm LAX
"Passengers of 891 please deboard the plane, take all personal belongings. If you have missed your connecting flight please consult customer service at 71B." We only had a 2 hour lay-over in Tokyo, we have missed our connector, off to 71B we go.
2:10 p.m :AX
In line at customer service 3 reps, approx. 25 people ahead of us.
2:40 pm LAX
2 service reps. 20 people ahead of us. Contact our travel department.
2:58 pm LAX
1 service rep. 19 people ahead of us.
3:15 pm LAX
Lay on the floor and commiserate with other passengers. Travel department responds that they have booked us on Thai airways departing at 9:30 pm but we have to confirm with UA at the airport (aka stay in line)
3:45 pm LAX
Situps in line.
4 pm LAX
Doing the plank in line, 60 sec intervals. Mical is embarrassed
4:15 pm LAX
Reading
4:20 pm LAX
Girl asks to cut us. Excuse appears reasonable and I feel bad, I say yes. 5 people ahead of us.
4:30 pm LAX
2 customer service reps. 2 people ahead of us
4:40 pm LAX
I approach the counter. to rep - hello, how are you? We were on flight 891 that was having problems. Rep - Please get back in line, i did not call you. Me (not out loud) - !?!??!&%^
4:45 pm LAX
Rep - next please. Me - you need to book us on flight 795 to Bangkok at 9:30 pm on Thai airways, now
5 pm LAX
Rep - well I can't confirm you are on Thai airways, you will have to go to the counter yourself and confirm. Oh and your luggage has been sent on to Tokyo. Mical and I - ahhhhhhhh kill us.
--
We eventually make our way to the international terminal, confirm our bookings with Thai Air which is a direct 1.5 hour flight to Bangkok, and settle into the bar/restaurant.
Then it hits us. We have nothing. Mical is scrubbed out and I am in shiny spandex and a volcom hoodie. My director recommends we take a taxi to the Nordstroms rack .5 miles away from LAX. Serious?!?!?! with the luck we've been having today, thank you but NO.
--
8:15 pm LAX
We make the final boarding call for flight 795.. we walkthrough the ticket check and walk out on to a bus. Mical has had it - "seriously, a bus, wtf, are we driving to Bangkok?" I am dying laughing. We proceed to drive across various tarmacs with no lights on and passing through "stop for planes" signs. Eventually we arrive at a massive jet. We board and taxi forever. It was soo long, I couldn't stop laughing. Mical had hit his "point". It reminded me of when we got lost on the way back from Kyoto in Japan.
... the next 17.5 hours...
I sleep a solid 12 of them. I pound some chicken curry, woke up for breakfast in an ambien haze which consisted of peas, potatoes, and egg (i think), and a funky lunch of which I can seriously not remember, still in an ambien haze.
arrive 7 am BKK (thai time)
We make our way through customers to the baggage claim customer service. We stink and we are exhausted but it's time to practice thai.
Me - Swandee Ka
Rep - Hello
Ok english it is. We carefully explain our situation.
Rep - Ok, so you originated from Carlsbad, New Mexico
Me - What? No, California
Rep - not Carlsbad
Me - No not New Mexico. Carlsbad, California
Rep - i don't understand.
!!!!!!!! We finally get close enough to an understanding. The rep assures us our bags will come, eventually. Rad.
--
Mical and I head for the exit and are pleasantly surprised to find a driver waiting to take us to the hotel, score.
--
Driver - You like club, you like small men, you go Siracco (no idea on the spelling)
Me - No I like tall men
Driver - hahaha, you like tall men
oh goodness, welcome to Thailand
--
Check in at the hotel. Mical and I agree not to shower, because really what is the point, we have nothing to change into. We drop our laptops in our room and head out for necessities. I smell. Deodorant and a toothbrush never sound so nice to me.
-
1 pm Bangkok
We managed to sort our toiletries out and head off to Chitsolim for apparel. We take the sky train which requires us to grab the bar above our heads to stabilize. I sigh to myself, thank goodness we picked up deodorant first.
We make it to Central World Mall and for me it was like an adult shopping in the children's section. Meh. We managed to find clothes that worked. i think.
5 pm Bangkok
We head back to the hotel, opting to walk rather than take the sky train. At this point it is 34 C and saying it was humid would be putting it mildly. I am glad we walked, because I had fun, but my word, hot hot hot, I have never seen so many sweaty people pass me by. Like literally people were soaked through their shirts... but maybe i am the pot.
5:30 pm Bangkok
I smell. Like really smell. And then we realize we were so focused on buying clothes for work tomorrow we've forgotten to get anything to wear tonight after we shower. We grumble, roll our eyes, and decide eating isn't worth it. We'd rather stay in our rooms then attempt to shop again.
6:30 pm Bangkok
The best shower ever. I also realized my shower only has two temperatures hot and hotter. Cold water doesn't exist. I also decided to do laundry in my hotel sink, oh wait, my detergent is in my checked bag. Ahahahhaah my life.
8 pm Bankok
Here I sit, ready to crawl into bed, but I am try to wait until 9pm... we'll see:)
That is it, for now:) Love you mom and dad! Ps. i also appear to be allergic to Bangkok mosquitoes like in Yosemite, good thing I brought the extra strength cortisone cream you gave me mom, oh wait.. that's in the check luggage... oh well, they only attacked my face :) Ahahahhahah :)
2/13 8:15 am Carlsbad Airport -
On time
1 checked bag full of all my stuff
1 laptop bag with work and personal laptop and See's chocolate for our office
1 awesome owl bag with 3 books, 1 bible, makeup bag, jewelery, and purse
Normally I pack a back-up outfit, shoes, underwear, and deodorant. However, this time I was packing and I was like you know I waste space doing this everytime, I'm over it. So I packed back-up nothing.
9:30 am LAX -
About an hour until our flight to Tokyo leaves. I am preoccupied with collecting breakfast and lunch before our 12 hour flight to Tokyo. My biggest concern is the cougar wearing the same shiny spandex pants as me - ugh nothing worse than showing up to LAX and some chick wearing the same outfit as you.
11:40 am LAX -
Board plane. Awesome, I am in premium economy and no one is in the seat next to me. Life is good
12 pm LAX -
"attention folks we have no water pressure and are actually losing water". Mechanics run up and down the isles.
1 pm LAX -
"alright folks we are good to go, it was a value that was shut off. the mechanics fixed it up. Prepare for take off"
1.05 pm LAX -
Taxi back 5mm. Stop.
1:30 pm LAX -
"Well folks. we are losing our water from the back. We are bringing the mechanics back on". English speaking passengers - sighs of disgusts, rolling eyes, and nervous lip biting. Non-english speaking passengers - panicked looking around for a translation.
2 pm LAX
"Passengers of 891 please deboard the plane, take all personal belongings. If you have missed your connecting flight please consult customer service at 71B." We only had a 2 hour lay-over in Tokyo, we have missed our connector, off to 71B we go.
2:10 p.m :AX
In line at customer service 3 reps, approx. 25 people ahead of us.
2:40 pm LAX
2 service reps. 20 people ahead of us. Contact our travel department.
2:58 pm LAX
1 service rep. 19 people ahead of us.
3:15 pm LAX
Lay on the floor and commiserate with other passengers. Travel department responds that they have booked us on Thai airways departing at 9:30 pm but we have to confirm with UA at the airport (aka stay in line)
3:45 pm LAX
Situps in line.
4 pm LAX
Doing the plank in line, 60 sec intervals. Mical is embarrassed
4:15 pm LAX
Reading
4:20 pm LAX
Girl asks to cut us. Excuse appears reasonable and I feel bad, I say yes. 5 people ahead of us.
4:30 pm LAX
2 customer service reps. 2 people ahead of us
4:40 pm LAX
I approach the counter. to rep - hello, how are you? We were on flight 891 that was having problems. Rep - Please get back in line, i did not call you. Me (not out loud) - !?!??!&%^
4:45 pm LAX
Rep - next please. Me - you need to book us on flight 795 to Bangkok at 9:30 pm on Thai airways, now
5 pm LAX
Rep - well I can't confirm you are on Thai airways, you will have to go to the counter yourself and confirm. Oh and your luggage has been sent on to Tokyo. Mical and I - ahhhhhhhh kill us.
--
We eventually make our way to the international terminal, confirm our bookings with Thai Air which is a direct 1.5 hour flight to Bangkok, and settle into the bar/restaurant.
Then it hits us. We have nothing. Mical is scrubbed out and I am in shiny spandex and a volcom hoodie. My director recommends we take a taxi to the Nordstroms rack .5 miles away from LAX. Serious?!?!?! with the luck we've been having today, thank you but NO.
--
8:15 pm LAX
We make the final boarding call for flight 795.. we walkthrough the ticket check and walk out on to a bus. Mical has had it - "seriously, a bus, wtf, are we driving to Bangkok?" I am dying laughing. We proceed to drive across various tarmacs with no lights on and passing through "stop for planes" signs. Eventually we arrive at a massive jet. We board and taxi forever. It was soo long, I couldn't stop laughing. Mical had hit his "point". It reminded me of when we got lost on the way back from Kyoto in Japan.
... the next 17.5 hours...
I sleep a solid 12 of them. I pound some chicken curry, woke up for breakfast in an ambien haze which consisted of peas, potatoes, and egg (i think), and a funky lunch of which I can seriously not remember, still in an ambien haze.
arrive 7 am BKK (thai time)
We make our way through customers to the baggage claim customer service. We stink and we are exhausted but it's time to practice thai.
Me - Swandee Ka
Rep - Hello
Ok english it is. We carefully explain our situation.
Rep - Ok, so you originated from Carlsbad, New Mexico
Me - What? No, California
Rep - not Carlsbad
Me - No not New Mexico. Carlsbad, California
Rep - i don't understand.
!!!!!!!! We finally get close enough to an understanding. The rep assures us our bags will come, eventually. Rad.
--
Mical and I head for the exit and are pleasantly surprised to find a driver waiting to take us to the hotel, score.
--
Driver - You like club, you like small men, you go Siracco (no idea on the spelling)
Me - No I like tall men
Driver - hahaha, you like tall men
oh goodness, welcome to Thailand
--
Check in at the hotel. Mical and I agree not to shower, because really what is the point, we have nothing to change into. We drop our laptops in our room and head out for necessities. I smell. Deodorant and a toothbrush never sound so nice to me.
-
1 pm Bangkok
We managed to sort our toiletries out and head off to Chitsolim for apparel. We take the sky train which requires us to grab the bar above our heads to stabilize. I sigh to myself, thank goodness we picked up deodorant first.
We make it to Central World Mall and for me it was like an adult shopping in the children's section. Meh. We managed to find clothes that worked. i think.
5 pm Bangkok
We head back to the hotel, opting to walk rather than take the sky train. At this point it is 34 C and saying it was humid would be putting it mildly. I am glad we walked, because I had fun, but my word, hot hot hot, I have never seen so many sweaty people pass me by. Like literally people were soaked through their shirts... but maybe i am the pot.
5:30 pm Bangkok
I smell. Like really smell. And then we realize we were so focused on buying clothes for work tomorrow we've forgotten to get anything to wear tonight after we shower. We grumble, roll our eyes, and decide eating isn't worth it. We'd rather stay in our rooms then attempt to shop again.
6:30 pm Bangkok
The best shower ever. I also realized my shower only has two temperatures hot and hotter. Cold water doesn't exist. I also decided to do laundry in my hotel sink, oh wait, my detergent is in my checked bag. Ahahahhaah my life.
8 pm Bankok
Here I sit, ready to crawl into bed, but I am try to wait until 9pm... we'll see:)
That is it, for now:) Love you mom and dad! Ps. i also appear to be allergic to Bangkok mosquitoes like in Yosemite, good thing I brought the extra strength cortisone cream you gave me mom, oh wait.. that's in the check luggage... oh well, they only attacked my face :) Ahahahhahah :)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
ah,, the count down begins
brussels, bruges, amsterdam or paris, and london.
europe, i am ready for you.
the question is, are you ready for me :)
October 13th, ready or not here I come.
europe, i am ready for you.
the question is, are you ready for me :)
October 13th, ready or not here I come.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tasmania, Australia
So despite everyone's long winded warnings, we still took our flight to Tassie, and I am so glad we did, it was truely beautiful. Very naturey and outdoorsy. I guess if you are looking for a vacation of boozing and clubbing you may need to look else where, but if mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, lounging at stunning beaches are your idea of fun, it's definitely worth the visit! We arrived in Tassie late on the 20th and hopped on you classic shuttle bus to the hostel. We decided to take it easy for the night. Plus it was super quite in town, like i said, not much of a night life :)
October 21st - day... who knows :)
Our first day out in Tas. Maria was a champ and picked up the rental car in the am. Then we headed up to mount wellington. Mt Wellington is just outside Hobart, the drive was easy there, except for battling windy narrow roads with tour busses. The view is awesome. Our day wasn't super clear, but still nice view... we also made stops along the way, also totally worth it.
Jules and I at one of the look out points along the way
There was still snow at the top!
View from the top, very panaoramic, my camera could not accomidate:)
Me with Hobart in the background
This was a random duder in the parking lot, and his hair is worth mentioning. He was touring with a band and had palyed the night before in hobart. We were so bummed we could have seen them :( But since he was so kind to take a picture with me, i want to send him some support, so here's the band he works with - Kimbra - http://www.myspace.com/kimbramusic - she's good, worth checking out!
After Mt Wellington we were going to go to Cascade Brewert for lunch and tastings, but sadly, they were closed, come to find out, Oct 21 is a holiday in Aus. So we opted for Bruny island.. which is on of the many little islands off of the island off of tassie which is an island off of Aus:) It was a pretty cool little island, lots of beachs for obvious reasons! We went to the bruny island cheese company http://brunyislandcheese.com.au/ OMG sooo good!
This was one of the many beaches we stopped at on Bruny. It was on the neck that connects the north and south parts. They had these amazing sea shells that we flat
we ended up getting home pretty late that night and just hanging out at the hostel and i actually did some laundry:)
October 22nd
This day we had an early departure for wineglass bay. Also a super neat drive, really got to see some off the variety in Australia's terrain. It was about a two and a half hour drive. It was an adventurous ride including a stop in Buckland and a near death collision with a turkey, which the close call with the turkey caused me to scream pretty audible because i thought it was an emu and all i could think was oh no, they really can do damage to a car, hahah, but courtesy of maria's stellar driving skills the accident was averted.
Wineglass Bay is located in Freycinet National Park. Which is stunning. I wish I could have spent just a couple days in that area. All and all it was awesome but we were slightly under prepared. First off, its a pretty intense up hill hike - easily manageable in shorts and a comfortable shoe, skinny jeans not so much.... And of course it was the one day when the sun is shinning and i would have killed for some shorts. Also, no water or food along the way, so pack lunches and snacks, we learned that the hard way, early morning breakfast, no lunch, and then a late dinner... although the fried sausage and chips with chicken salt tasted that much better because of it.
Anyways, you start your hike and if you have time look behind you, the view is phenom. When you get to the top, you have the stunning wineglass bay lookout....
Then from there, if you wanna get to wineglass bay (which of course you do, why do the hike without the beach), you head directly down to the shore. Totally worth it, it was sooo pretty. The hike down isn't too bad either, their jungle tropic style forest.
It was there we encountered a "wild" Wallaby... which he did live in the bush on the island, he just was super friendly with the people, which made him not quite wild in my book, but still equally awesome, as he let us pet him and feed him a banana skin
From there our group split, Maria and I huffed another half hour or so out across to Hazards beach and Jules and our friend from the hostel headed back to the car. Hazards was awesome, not another soul on the beach, literally, just maria and I, which was the perfect setting for a swim, at first, but then once in the water, the chill reality of how cold it was set in. haha still worth it
October 23rd
We stayed in Hobart and hit the local market - awesome and the local distillery - yumm!
October 24th - Last Day in Aus
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Bound for Snow
The condo i'll be staying at with some of the most fabulous people i have met
http://www.vrbo.com/123879
The source of our powder
http://www.winterparkresort.com/index.htm
mmm powder, sooo good.. Get Some!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Minding the Gap
Hey-o so I have arrived!!!
All and all a pretty uneventful travel day. Flew out of SAN to LAX to Heathrow. In San Diego, I was in the commuter terminal… I had some time to kill so I grabbed a water and a better homes and garden (yes I am my mother’s daughter) and cozed up in those sweet, sweet airport chairs. After sitting down, I realized the error of my ways, as I gazed across the terminal I locked eyes with the TSA security, ah yes, that is right body scanners are in full effect now in san diego. So I promptly repositioned myself next to security to watch all the drama go down. For an hour plus, I watched people go through the check point and only about 2 people were asked to do the body scan.. I tried to make eye contact with them before they committed to the scan and shake my head mouthing, no don’t do it don’t do it, but sadly they were too focused on the TSA agent and ended up relinquishing their nudie photos over.. I mean last time I checked you are usually compensated for photos of that nature.
So arrive LAX, and take the fancy little bus system over to the international terminal. The bus lady said oh yes get off here for tom brady, so I hopped off and as soon as I was off realized there was no signage for Tom Brady,,,, right,.,,, so the this little Indian lady and I were in the same boat, stuck in random terminal and needing to get to Bristish Airways. We found an aiport lady who directed us, that it was just a short walk outside to the left and that’s the terminal, so the little lady and I took off together, there was a massive moving walky thing so we chatted. She told me about her trip to SD, her daughter in London, her son in SD, her last six months of traveling, her granddaughter that drives (she’s grown up now), her grandson in law school, etc etc etc… yeah, getting the picture?? this was not a short walk by any means.
Finally we get outside, and are lost, again. At this point my little Indian friend was wheezing and she had a bad knee, so she was moving super slow. I felt really bad and offered to carry her bags, but she declined.. I dunno if she thought it was creepy or not since they always say mind your luggage and don’t let others by your bag yadda yadda yadda, but I felt bad not asking. We stop again asking for directions and once again were guaranteed it was a short walk, so we head toward the phantom terminal “just to your left” and walked for another decent amount. Arrive Tom Brady terminal, no sign of check in, again stop and ask for directions. And again “just keep walking , it really close,and just up three floors”, gorgeous. I found us a lift though and me and my friend jumped in and finally arrived at the glorious British Airway line. And by glorious I mean endless lines to check in and a big old DELYAED sign next to my flight. Fourty five minutes later and after befriending a little finish girl, I arrived at the counter.
Actually, I guess befriending is a strong word to describe encounter, she spoke Finnish, I spoke English. Although we did find some commonality on dog and hi… other than that is was all facial expressions and awkward hand gestures. Which she seemed to enjoy, I think I’d be a big hit in Finland. Anyways, checked in and the flight was delayed an hour twenty. So I cozed myself up to the airport bar, the same one I actually sat at before I left for argentina… Killed a little time and then head for security…. Excited for another chance at the TSA groping, I mean security check.
So I rounded the corner and to my sweet, sweet delight there was an image scanner and numerous TSA individuals slapping on the lovely blue latex gloves. Oh yes, it’s my big day I thought. So I performed the typical TSA strip down to just leggings and a tshirt and proudly walked towards the security guard ready to decline the body scan and cause a scene when I was directed to the pat down. Instead, I was waved though the metal dector and given a sweet smile approving me to go forward. WTH,, serious, that’s it!! Lame, although I saw a little business lady getting her TSA pat down and I wasn’t sure who felt more violated me watching the whole process or her actually receiving. I probably go with her.
So board the plan, the largest plane I’ve ever been on, two stories, hey-o. I climbed into my window seat and waited with heavy anticipation as to who my row companions would be or more like who my space violator would be… time ticks by and they announce they are closing the door and preparing for departure, oh heck yes, whole row to myself. I waited for take off and the fasten seat belt sign to disappear then I grabbed the extra blankets and pillows and built myself a nice little bed across the seats. I was out cold for a couple hours but then I woke up because my hips hurt… apparently child bearing hips and British Airways chairs do not mix… or I’m just getting old. Either way, my sleeping was in and out after that.
We made up about 30 minutes in the air and we got the glorious prepare for landing speech and just as we were going to descend the pilot gets on and lets us know we are going to have to circle some… so on the lovely map they share with you, you get to watch the plane go around and around and around in a circle. Finally, after 20minutes, we land and then taxi to the gate, the wrong gate as the pilot later disclosed and drove to a new gate, really british airways? really? my coworkers are texting me they arrived and are waiting at the taxi station and requesting etas, I was supposed to arrive an hour and a half before them… 45 minutes later the baggage thingy starts moving and my lovely neon pink bag pops out, alright here we go I thought, time, to just head out to the taxi station, then I realized nope, I am in terminal 5 my coworkers are in terminal 1. So I set off on my next mission get to terminal 1, but at this point I was exhausted and cold so I maximized my lost little girl face and got some quick and efficient directions from airport staff and bam, arrive at terminal 1, grab a coffee, and head out to grab a taxi with my coworkers.
We get in the taxi and I end up in the copilot like seat with my back against the direction we are going… take off towards the city.. I dunno if it was the extra large coffee on an empty stomach or jetlag or motion sickness from sitting the wrong direction in the cab, but oh my word I felt like I was going to yak. I tried to keep it together because if I didn't it would all end up on my coworkers lap who was sitting right across from me… 40 minutes later we arrive at the hotel and I am the first one of the group to check in. The hotel is pretty sick but at this point I am spinning and trying to keep from spewing. I am escorted to my posh little room and the duder gives me a tour of my room explaining all the fancy-smancy parts… I’m trying to rush him along… because I really just want to spew, finally he leaves and I bow to the porcelain god and pass out on the fancy pants bed. All and all a less than glorious first few hours in London.
I took a nap and woke up feeling better, oh yes… I had about an hour to kill before dinner so I got dressed and walked over to the Marble Arch and Hyde Park. It was already dark and there were all these Christmas lights up, super pretty. I got some nice photos, I think, I hope, sadly I forgot my usb cord for my camera, so I can’t share any of these photos. For dinner my coworkers and I went to Maze, it’s one of Gordon Ramesy’s restaurants, it was pretty good. We walked around a bit and called it an early night because we were so tired. I was out cold at 8:15, living the dream.
Wednesday morning was the first day heading to work, sooo we left the hotel at 730 and headed for the underground, oh my word it was intense, tons of people in very small spaces… It was in the underground tunnels that I learned a very important point, walk with a purpose. It you don’t you will be walked on or through, you must walk with the same authority as everyone else… and yield to no one because there are a line of twenty people behind them that will take advantage of the chance as well… and mind the gap. Yes, I learned all of these things the hard way.
We headed to waterloo. At waterloo I befriended a nice man that actually lives in waterloo... we chatted while i waited for the train... he asked if could spot him 10,000 GBP, I told him that was a lot of money. He told me he really thinks the we should start importing iron from mars, that's where all the money is. I told him I've never been to mars. He told me that life is much like a Christmas Story because it is about a debtors prison. I asked him if he was in a debtors prison, he laughed really hard and then asked for a cup of tea. Interesting fellow to say the least. Our train was coming, so I gave him some money for tea and as we boarded the train my boss advised me not to talk to strange men.
We got on a train to chessington south, the area were our subsidiary is. Once off at chessington we had to do an additional 10 minute walk to the office…. We arrived at the office at about 930,,, yep a nice two hour commute. Did I mention it’s 0 degrees Celsius? Baaahhh-eeerrrr.. Unfortunately before I left, I was unable to find thermal business casual wear, so I am a bit cold.
Worked a fatty 8 hours and then headed back to catch the train. Again the timing was a bit off which resulted in a hard sprint the last two blocks in order to catch the train back… the sprint was mandatory as the next train didn’t come for an hour and there was no inside area to sit. We would have died. We literally boarded with a second to spare. But at least we were warm.
We made it back to the city, back to the hotel, and then headed back out for dinner. Nothing too exciting. Today we woke up and repeated. Although we left a little earlier and timed the trains a little better and it was only a hour and a half commute. Sweetness.
So that’s pretty much it for now... maybe things will get spicer this weekend in paris.
All and all a pretty uneventful travel day. Flew out of SAN to LAX to Heathrow. In San Diego, I was in the commuter terminal… I had some time to kill so I grabbed a water and a better homes and garden (yes I am my mother’s daughter) and cozed up in those sweet, sweet airport chairs. After sitting down, I realized the error of my ways, as I gazed across the terminal I locked eyes with the TSA security, ah yes, that is right body scanners are in full effect now in san diego. So I promptly repositioned myself next to security to watch all the drama go down. For an hour plus, I watched people go through the check point and only about 2 people were asked to do the body scan.. I tried to make eye contact with them before they committed to the scan and shake my head mouthing, no don’t do it don’t do it, but sadly they were too focused on the TSA agent and ended up relinquishing their nudie photos over.. I mean last time I checked you are usually compensated for photos of that nature.
So arrive LAX, and take the fancy little bus system over to the international terminal. The bus lady said oh yes get off here for tom brady, so I hopped off and as soon as I was off realized there was no signage for Tom Brady,,,, right,.,,, so the this little Indian lady and I were in the same boat, stuck in random terminal and needing to get to Bristish Airways. We found an aiport lady who directed us, that it was just a short walk outside to the left and that’s the terminal, so the little lady and I took off together, there was a massive moving walky thing so we chatted. She told me about her trip to SD, her daughter in London, her son in SD, her last six months of traveling, her granddaughter that drives (she’s grown up now), her grandson in law school, etc etc etc… yeah, getting the picture?? this was not a short walk by any means.
Finally we get outside, and are lost, again. At this point my little Indian friend was wheezing and she had a bad knee, so she was moving super slow. I felt really bad and offered to carry her bags, but she declined.. I dunno if she thought it was creepy or not since they always say mind your luggage and don’t let others by your bag yadda yadda yadda, but I felt bad not asking. We stop again asking for directions and once again were guaranteed it was a short walk, so we head toward the phantom terminal “just to your left” and walked for another decent amount. Arrive Tom Brady terminal, no sign of check in, again stop and ask for directions. And again “just keep walking , it really close,and just up three floors”, gorgeous. I found us a lift though and me and my friend jumped in and finally arrived at the glorious British Airway line. And by glorious I mean endless lines to check in and a big old DELYAED sign next to my flight. Fourty five minutes later and after befriending a little finish girl, I arrived at the counter.
Actually, I guess befriending is a strong word to describe encounter, she spoke Finnish, I spoke English. Although we did find some commonality on dog and hi… other than that is was all facial expressions and awkward hand gestures. Which she seemed to enjoy, I think I’d be a big hit in Finland. Anyways, checked in and the flight was delayed an hour twenty. So I cozed myself up to the airport bar, the same one I actually sat at before I left for argentina… Killed a little time and then head for security…. Excited for another chance at the TSA groping, I mean security check.
So I rounded the corner and to my sweet, sweet delight there was an image scanner and numerous TSA individuals slapping on the lovely blue latex gloves. Oh yes, it’s my big day I thought. So I performed the typical TSA strip down to just leggings and a tshirt and proudly walked towards the security guard ready to decline the body scan and cause a scene when I was directed to the pat down. Instead, I was waved though the metal dector and given a sweet smile approving me to go forward. WTH,, serious, that’s it!! Lame, although I saw a little business lady getting her TSA pat down and I wasn’t sure who felt more violated me watching the whole process or her actually receiving. I probably go with her.
So board the plan, the largest plane I’ve ever been on, two stories, hey-o. I climbed into my window seat and waited with heavy anticipation as to who my row companions would be or more like who my space violator would be… time ticks by and they announce they are closing the door and preparing for departure, oh heck yes, whole row to myself. I waited for take off and the fasten seat belt sign to disappear then I grabbed the extra blankets and pillows and built myself a nice little bed across the seats. I was out cold for a couple hours but then I woke up because my hips hurt… apparently child bearing hips and British Airways chairs do not mix… or I’m just getting old. Either way, my sleeping was in and out after that.
We made up about 30 minutes in the air and we got the glorious prepare for landing speech and just as we were going to descend the pilot gets on and lets us know we are going to have to circle some… so on the lovely map they share with you, you get to watch the plane go around and around and around in a circle. Finally, after 20minutes, we land and then taxi to the gate, the wrong gate as the pilot later disclosed and drove to a new gate, really british airways? really? my coworkers are texting me they arrived and are waiting at the taxi station and requesting etas, I was supposed to arrive an hour and a half before them… 45 minutes later the baggage thingy starts moving and my lovely neon pink bag pops out, alright here we go I thought, time, to just head out to the taxi station, then I realized nope, I am in terminal 5 my coworkers are in terminal 1. So I set off on my next mission get to terminal 1, but at this point I was exhausted and cold so I maximized my lost little girl face and got some quick and efficient directions from airport staff and bam, arrive at terminal 1, grab a coffee, and head out to grab a taxi with my coworkers.
We get in the taxi and I end up in the copilot like seat with my back against the direction we are going… take off towards the city.. I dunno if it was the extra large coffee on an empty stomach or jetlag or motion sickness from sitting the wrong direction in the cab, but oh my word I felt like I was going to yak. I tried to keep it together because if I didn't it would all end up on my coworkers lap who was sitting right across from me… 40 minutes later we arrive at the hotel and I am the first one of the group to check in. The hotel is pretty sick but at this point I am spinning and trying to keep from spewing. I am escorted to my posh little room and the duder gives me a tour of my room explaining all the fancy-smancy parts… I’m trying to rush him along… because I really just want to spew, finally he leaves and I bow to the porcelain god and pass out on the fancy pants bed. All and all a less than glorious first few hours in London.
I took a nap and woke up feeling better, oh yes… I had about an hour to kill before dinner so I got dressed and walked over to the Marble Arch and Hyde Park. It was already dark and there were all these Christmas lights up, super pretty. I got some nice photos, I think, I hope, sadly I forgot my usb cord for my camera, so I can’t share any of these photos. For dinner my coworkers and I went to Maze, it’s one of Gordon Ramesy’s restaurants, it was pretty good. We walked around a bit and called it an early night because we were so tired. I was out cold at 8:15, living the dream.
Wednesday morning was the first day heading to work, sooo we left the hotel at 730 and headed for the underground, oh my word it was intense, tons of people in very small spaces… It was in the underground tunnels that I learned a very important point, walk with a purpose. It you don’t you will be walked on or through, you must walk with the same authority as everyone else… and yield to no one because there are a line of twenty people behind them that will take advantage of the chance as well… and mind the gap. Yes, I learned all of these things the hard way.
We headed to waterloo. At waterloo I befriended a nice man that actually lives in waterloo... we chatted while i waited for the train... he asked if could spot him 10,000 GBP, I told him that was a lot of money. He told me he really thinks the we should start importing iron from mars, that's where all the money is. I told him I've never been to mars. He told me that life is much like a Christmas Story because it is about a debtors prison. I asked him if he was in a debtors prison, he laughed really hard and then asked for a cup of tea. Interesting fellow to say the least. Our train was coming, so I gave him some money for tea and as we boarded the train my boss advised me not to talk to strange men.
We got on a train to chessington south, the area were our subsidiary is. Once off at chessington we had to do an additional 10 minute walk to the office…. We arrived at the office at about 930,,, yep a nice two hour commute. Did I mention it’s 0 degrees Celsius? Baaahhh-eeerrrr.. Unfortunately before I left, I was unable to find thermal business casual wear, so I am a bit cold.
Worked a fatty 8 hours and then headed back to catch the train. Again the timing was a bit off which resulted in a hard sprint the last two blocks in order to catch the train back… the sprint was mandatory as the next train didn’t come for an hour and there was no inside area to sit. We would have died. We literally boarded with a second to spare. But at least we were warm.
We made it back to the city, back to the hotel, and then headed back out for dinner. Nothing too exciting. Today we woke up and repeated. Although we left a little earlier and timed the trains a little better and it was only a hour and a half commute. Sweetness.
So that’s pretty much it for now... maybe things will get spicer this weekend in paris.
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