I love taking the train to the airport for that is when I know my holiday has begun. My first time flying Virgin was quite pleasant and the inflight entertainment helped pass the time. The funny thing is that we landed in L.A. a few hours earlier than we actually left Brisbane, even after 14 long hours in the sky. It is rather nice to gain an extra day in one's life.
Americans are very security conscious and the requirements of electronic fingerprinting and face photographing at passport control is time consuming. Then it is long lines again as you go through security checks for the next flight segment. Off go the shoes and scarves and belts, in you go for a full body scan, and then if you are really lucky you get picked for a closer check. Re-dress, re-pack, re-board - it's all rather exhausting, but, I hasten to add, not as exhausting as teaching.
So, after two days of travel, here we are now safely in Seattle having gone via L.A. and Salt Lake City and it is still Friday the 14th. Will this day ever end?
The weather has been clear all the way and the views spectacular. The sunrise as we approached L.A. was the colour of tangerines and the desert between L.A and Salt Lake City was etched with long snaking roads.
The longed for shower and cosy bed anticipated on arrival at our Seattle hotel had to wait as our rooms weren't ready. We left our luggage and took the train into town. After exploring the Pike Markets we dined on clam chowder on the waterfront,sipped a nice cold beer and headed wearily back to the hotel.
It is now 7:30 pm, the sky is still light and the evening warm and clear. It has been a very, very, very, long day.