Today I walked & shopped & had a famous hot dog & lost my bag....and met a pig...!

Weather Max 23 Min 17


Well.....! I slept the sleep of the seriously jet lagged between 5 and 10 am but was awake most of the previous hours. I am still  a bit fuzzy headed but am on the road to lucidity.

I Ubered (I don't know if that is a word but I'm using it) to Target  on La Brea Ave to get a few things I needed. I strolled as far as Melrose Ave  and re visited Pink's. This is a hot dog place I went to on my last trip and it is WONDERFUL!

Chilli Dog with Kraut

I left Pink's and  strolled off down the street and was just generally plodding along when the cold realisation hit me that I only had one bag.....my Target shopping bag...no handbag.....with my passport. money, cards etc etc in it.  I turned around and ran like the wind ...into Chipotle's restaurant ...realised I was in the wrong place....ran out of there and into Pink's and there it was. Sitting on the ground under my table.......where I put it to keep it safe. I am blaming jet lag and refuse to entertain any other possible reasons including old age, stupidity and carelessness.

I forgot to mention yesterday that all the people in the shuttle from the airport to my hotel did a search for my glasses...the ones I was wearing. This supports my jet lag defence.

I left red faced and met a pig.

Pet pig strolling down Melrose Ave...collar and lead.  The things you see.

I'm quite fascinated by my Uber drivers - one today says he makes $1000 a week working 4 to 5 hours a day. I don't think it's quite that good in Australia yet.

I solved the mystery of why they needed a security guard outside Wendy's.......every shop I've been to has it's own security guard. 

They keep saying things on TV that are disturbing......things like what to do in case of an earthquake....or "the big one" as they call it. Every time a big truck goes by I need to stifle my urge to drop,roll and tuck. They even have drill days - see 

http://www.shakeout.org/california/

I must have way too much time on my hands. I was sitting having a coffee.....checking out if you have all read my blog.......and I was obviously using the mobile version on my phone. Now just read the address line and tell me it's not bloody funny. I mean I know people are always hoping to find these things but I never thought of looking here.

I've also taught myself to adjust the blog date for this time zone and how to make the print bigger.....nice one me!

Oz to US

My first October 15th

When I think of my departure day from Brisbane to USA I have a quiet giggle. For someone who has been planning this trip for 5 years and was so over prepared it made your head spin......there were a lot of.....shall we call them....hiccups :)

• the night before I was still awake at 1 am and again at 2:30. I had set my phone alarm for 3:30 (triple checked it) but at 3:54 am Lee  came and woke me up. WTF!! This caused a mad rush resulting in me leaving without my support member. Remember Kevin the cushion?  He's still in Brisbane and the loss is sorely felt.  Also  I left behind the hard drive Lee had prepared with movies & TV shows etc.
• The plane was due to depart at 6 am (boarding at 5:30) so I really still had quite  bit of time up my sleeve. When I went to Virgin to book in there was a problem with my US Visa. There was no record of it. Seeing as I had flown to Sydney to the US Consulate in April to obtain said Visa I was a tad concerned. The Virgin employee kept jabbing at her computer and frowning and big red crosses kept coming up.  She spoke to her supervisor who had the same problem. Time was marching on I was feeling a BIT TENSE. Finally they called the US  Consulate. My Visa was on my British passport which is the one I was travelling on but it showed I had another passport - my Aussie one - and they hadn't been linked.  They fixed that and the upshot is I need to travel to US on my British Passport and back to Australia on my Australian Passport. How lucky I had bought both with me. I could very easily have not bothered grrrr
• I now had 5 minutes to get on my plane but was busting to go to the loo. Struggling under the weight of hand baggage and my paperwork I raced to the loo and flushed and then dropped my boarding passes into the loo. I was so glad the loo had already been flushed :) and also that it wasn't like those American toilets that automatically flush when you stand up lol. I would have just gone home at this stage.
• I get a bit claustrophobic on planes so always book an aisle seat - somehow they had changed it to a window seat and in the rush I hadn't noticed - double grrr. The nice man in the aisle seat kindly agreed to swap so all was well.
• I was supposed to have a 2 1/2  hour stopover in Sydney - triple grrrr.  It turned out to be 1 1/2 hours (yes I had allowed for Daylight Saving so that wasn't the issue). Plane was due for takeoff 10:50 am. HOWEVER boarding was 10:05 am. I literally ran when I got off the first plane, hopped on the first bus to the international terminal, raced through to Customs where there were 12.6 million people in the line ahead of me. Finally got through and ran like a crazy woman (which I know isn't surprising - shut up!!) to gate 53. Pushing past old ladies and family groups and detouring around gated off areas, I finally got to gate 53 and was among the last 6 people to board and shortly after they closed the doors.
• I was hot - sweaty  stressed....but I was there. It took a long time for me to chill.
• This mad rush meant I didn't get any duty free Bourbon which was going to be a gift for a friend but under the circumstances it was just as well - I haven't had a drink in 8 1/2 years but I would have been sorely tempted to knock that lid off!.
• The flight to US was uneventful except for 2 occasions when it got very turbulent and I knew death was imminent. I was wrong.
• Note to self - always make sure you sit up the front of the plane - when you sit at the back all the good food has gone from  the food service trolley and you end up with the vegetarian gluten free options. :(  I was hanging out for the shepherds pie.)
• I was looking forward to the in flight entertainment as a few good movies and TV shows make the flight fly by (yes - pun intended). There were no recent movies - Shaun of the Dead was about the most well known and most recent. The TV shows were season 1 of Arrested Development and season 2 of Boston Legal. I was disappointed - even the Channel 2 news was a couple of days old.
• I didn't sleep much because I needed to use my iron will to keep that plane in the air so by the time we landed at LA I was fairly knackered......but very happy to be there and for my US stay to start.

A welcome sight :)

My second October 15th

Due to the International date line I left Briz at 6 am Oct 15 and arrived at LA at 6.30am Oct 15. Add a bit of jet lag and lack of sleep and I really was quite disorientated time wise...and it seems direction wise.

I got a shuttle to the hotel but my room wouldn't be ready till after noon so I checked in my bags and walked for an hour trying to get to the T Mobile shop I went to on my last trip (which was near the Beverley Centre Shopping Centre) so I could get a US sim card for my I Phone. I was still carrying a few bags as I didn't want to leave my laptop etc in the store room at the hotel and it was very warm out so I was fading fast when I finally found the shop. Got my phone sorted and asked about the shopping centre......seems I had been walking for an hour in the wrong direction .....oh my!

Interesting Election signs all over on my walk - not at all respectful lol

I called a Uber....there was no walk left in my legs. The young lady driving the car was going 50 mph (thats 80 kph)  in the 35 mph zones (60 kph) and jumped from lane to lane....and sometime just straddled the white line. This was a whole lot scarier than the entire Australia to USA leg of my trip. HOWEVER - the 25 minute trip cost $3.56...whaaaaat? A lot cheaper than Australia.

I had lunch and a coffee at Starbucks at the Beverley Centre and had planned to "do" the shops but was just too pooped. I got another Uber back to my hotel - $ 4.60 - and had a long overdue shower and jammied up. I got into bed and watched some college football on TV trying desperately to stay awake so that I wouldn't be too affected by jet lag.

 My team won the game but I lost the fight with jet lag and slept a few hours that afternoon - then was awake most of last night then fell asleep about 5 am till 10 am and woke with a headache. Jet lag had won the battle.  Note to self - if your hotel is next to a hospital there will be a lot of sirens during the night. 

The cause of the sirens - lovely looking hospital and environs though

I will Uber to Target today to get a few items but then have a quiet day and try to get my sleep patterns back in order - got a big trip to enjoy!!

Oh!! Last night I went to the Wendy's next door for some dinner - lot bigger serves than in Oz but the thing that amazed me was that there was a security guard at the door. Maybe in case the Hamburgler turns up...or that clown Ronald McDonald?

 

Wendy's security guard!!
Can't really see him but I didn't want to get too close lol

I'm desperately missing Derek hugs but he doesn't seem to miss me at all lol

Derek P Newton

I don't speak Spanish but.... It appears that DO NOT DISTURB
translates to DO ME A FAVOUR AND DON'T MOLEST ME!!

Travelling companions

I've had a few queries about my travelling alone and I whilst I don't have a human travelling companion I will not be alone.

Some of you may remember Kevin.... He has travelled all over the place with me ......Australia.....USA.......Hawaii.......Iceland......England.  He is always with me and we have formed a very close attachment.  He is particularly ugly and decidedly tatty looking and was purchased from the railway platform in Broken Hill in 2011. He sleeps with me at night and I get quite panicky if he is not nearby.

Kevin

 Also travelling with me is Jerome McGnome. He was born and bred in Arkansas and some of you may remember him from my previous travels - he has also been everywhere but generally disgraces himself.   I rest my case - New York Times Square New Years Eve 2011-2012 A picture says a thousand words.

Times Square

Being cool in the Big Apple

This was the result of his "celebrations"

Big sleep in next morning with his eye mask on -  refused to get up

 In Iceland he fell over drunk and broke his hip - full hip replacement was required

Broken Hip

Zimmer Frame

At the start of the Olympics he tried to enter the pole vaulting but once again came to grief

Sporting injury - he ended up in traction after this one.

I have my doubts that Gordon will survive another trip but I'm sure he will make his presence felt.

So as you see... i'm not alone and with Gordon around I will have have my hands full.

USA 2016-17 - all getting very real......kind of exciting......kind of scared.......!

Well! In 11 days I'll be off to the USA for just under 6 months. In 2011 I spent approximately 6 months travelling through every mainland state of USA and 4 provinces of Canada and my aim this time is to spend more time in the places I loved the most and with the people I love to bits :)

I want to be able to learn more about  my favourite places and have the time to enjoy what they have to offer.

Did I say it was 11 days till I go?  FFS....I've been planning this for 5 years and it just doesn't seem real that it is almost upon me.

My plans are very loose because I don't want to miss any opportunities or experiences or people by having a tight schedule.

Bloody hell.......11 days!!

My plan is a week in LA (a place I'm not keen on but I know well enough to chill and get in the right mindset). Then 3 days in Anaheim to meet up with friends from UK. I met Jo  on the internet many years ago and we finally get to meet in person. I will also do the Disneyland/Universal Studios again - because I can.

From then its north to Monterey, San Francisco, Crescent City, Portland, Seattle and other places in between, then fly to Little Rock Arkansas to visit dear friends Ang & Kae and Omaha to visit Robby and Karen.  Cant wait to see you all again. I have friends to visit in Missouri ;) and Iowa. I have booked a week in Chicago over Christmas for several reasons but mainly because I love Chicago......I know I will probably be snowed in but thats fine.......I want a final White Christmas and I think I can guarantee it will snow.

11 days....good grief!

I also have friends to visit in San Diego and Arizona so have many ports of calls if I get lost or lonely or need a hug.

Other than this my plans are non existent....just play it by ear.

Most of my travels will be by train and bus.......last time I drove everywhere and I missed a lot of the scenery just trying to stay on the right side of the road!

Everything that can be done by way of preparation bar packing has been done so I just need to relax and enjoy.

Please sign up on my blog to follow my travels and adventures....or misadventures.....and you can also see the ups and downs of my last trip.

I must say I feel a lot more mentally and emotionally prepared this time and am a lot wiser starting out than the previous trip. I will admit that on some occasions during the previous trip ignorance was bliss.  Look out bears and serial  killers......I'm on to you!

11 days....how can that be..?

Retirement Day

Friday 26th August was officially my last day at work.....I am a retired person now. :)

They threw a morning tea for me an I gave a very teary speech and then the day dragged on and on.

Just before the 4:30 finish the boss turned the phones off....music started playing ....."Up where we belong"......think end of the movie "An Officer an a Gentleman" when the girl gets carried off by the Officer.   Then the gentleman in the cap below appeared and picked me up and carried me out. What a way to go lol.  I was amazed that not only could he lift me off the ground he actually carried me without dropping me or putting his back out. Thank you Lee (my daughter) for organising this. A memorable day!

Retirement Day

Ok...time to get serious

After much deliberation I've moved my retirement date forward. Cant really afford the loss of wages between now and the original retirement date but there are...I have found......some things more important than money. Like sanity....health...peace of mind.....lack of stress....shall i go on? I want to start my 6 months in USA in a peaceful, restful state of mind and as fit as I can get in the short time before I fly out (October 15th). To that end I finish work next Friday 26th August (4 working days as a while ago I dropped Wednesdays)

Not me but it soon will be

Everything is more or less in place. Just need to finalise my pension and I will be ready to go. All else is either sold or stored with Lee. I've decided to keep my car while I am away as I will need it on my return to go hunting for a camper van for my Australian travels.

Since I made the decision to finish earlier my stress levels have nose dived, I am sleeping like the proverbial log and feel....dare I say it....happy!!!! So looking forward to catching up with my friends around USA......been 5 years since I saw them last.

As I am currently homeless I am living with Lee and Michael until my departure.  They recently acquired Derek P Newton....an Aussie Bulldog puppy that just melts your heart with his cross little face. I am totally in love with him.

Derek P Newton

Me and the Grand dog

 I've had a few people make comments about my my upcoming USA trip and my planned lifestyle (on the  road) when I return. Comments of "weird" and "eccentric" and "scary" and just a general "I don't understand". I saw this meme and it sums it up completely. I'm just so looking forward to the rest of my life...whether it be long or short....I know in my heart it's going to be the best time I ever had.

Sydney Day Three

I was so anxious not to sleep in and miss my 8:15  appointment that I hardly slept all night. At 3 am I gave up and had some cereal and a cup of tea and watched some TV. I'm getting the feeling that once I retire I'm just going to get right into the groove lol. 

I was up at 5 and left at 7 for my appointment. I bought a coffee and sat staring at the building, just in case it tried to slip away again. A man came up and tapped me on the shoulder and asked me if I knew where the US Consulate was. WTF!! I looked for the hidden cameras. After all my dramas finding it (and then keeping it in sight) over the last couple of days it was just a ridiculous twist to be asked if I knew where it was.

All went well with the visa with a bonus. For a 5 year extension on the visa using my Aussie passport it would cost $160. But because I have a British passport I get it for ten years....and for free!.. I felt they owed me something after all the stress and there it was :)

Had a second breakfast at the Lindt Cafe and then came across some of the Channel 7 Breakfast Show hosts doing a bit of a meet and greet in  Martin Place outside the studios.

Natalie Barr - she is soooo skinny

Beretts

Martin Place....if I never see you again it will be too soon.....you confuse me.

My feet were a bit sore after all my traipsing the last couple of days so I hopped on to a Hop on Hop off bus. Was a perfect day and I travelled for 4 hours all over Sydney - Bondi Beach, Rose Bay, Point Piper, Vaucluse....and yes...we came remarkably close to Martin Pl but veered off just in time. It was great to see all these places I've only heard about. It was a very pleasant day and I topped it off with another pub special early dinner.

The steak was cooked to perfection

On the way back I just HAD to stop in at this Apple shop. THREE floors...crazy....and no...I didn't buy anything....this time.

Apple Shop

 The shuttle picks me up at 6.55 am tomorrow to head to the airport for the return trip. I've had fun in Sydney....mostly.......I can mark it down as yet another city I've been lost in,