Leaving Las Vegas and flying to New York - November 8, 2019
The alarm went off and I jumped out of bed. Although feeling a little weary from the late night before, I was comforted in the knowledge that I could pretty much sleep on the plane from LasVegas to New York.
I threw myself into a shower to encourage the waking process going on in my body, then dressed. As I collected up my still heavy suitcase (despite the fact that I had sent a fair pile of stuff home), and slung my backpack over my left shoulder, I thanked Jenny for her companionship and fun on our trip along Route 66. She was still very groggy and was not at all ready to get out of bed because she didn't have to! Despite that though, she made herself vertical and gave me a card she had only just finished writing, and the birthday present - a t shirt - about which she had consulted with me quite some time earlier in the trip, to be assured that it would be appropriate. It totally was! Mind you, I'll probably only wear it around home!
I appreciate her gesture and kindness. Her friendship is something that continues to grow and strengthen. It's great how experiences that take you to the edge of your understanding -such as travelling- help you define the things that are really important to you, and help you to know undoubtably who your true friends in life are.
I hate saying 'goodbye'. I always say 'see ya later' to people if I have a pretty strong feeling I will see again. If I think I won't see them again, I say 'all the best', because I want them to do well and I want the world to be a happy place for everyone - even those people who do not have mutual feelings for me. To add another layer to this, having said 'see ya later' there is always a drop of uncertainty (that I feel in the pit of my stomach), because no one knows what the future may hold. As Charley Pride sings in his song "One Day At A Time"...
I threw myself into a shower to encourage the waking process going on in my body, then dressed. As I collected up my still heavy suitcase (despite the fact that I had sent a fair pile of stuff home), and slung my backpack over my left shoulder, I thanked Jenny for her companionship and fun on our trip along Route 66. She was still very groggy and was not at all ready to get out of bed because she didn't have to! Despite that though, she made herself vertical and gave me a card she had only just finished writing, and the birthday present - a t shirt - about which she had consulted with me quite some time earlier in the trip, to be assured that it would be appropriate. It totally was! Mind you, I'll probably only wear it around home!
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| It's the best time of the day - especially when you've been working! |
I hate saying 'goodbye'. I always say 'see ya later' to people if I have a pretty strong feeling I will see again. If I think I won't see them again, I say 'all the best', because I want them to do well and I want the world to be a happy place for everyone - even those people who do not have mutual feelings for me. To add another layer to this, having said 'see ya later' there is always a drop of uncertainty (that I feel in the pit of my stomach), because no one knows what the future may hold. As Charley Pride sings in his song "One Day At A Time"...
"Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus,
and tomorrow may never be mine,
so give me the strength,
help me to take,
one day at a time"
The hotel door closed behind me, the elevator bell dinged, and the lift doors opened beckoning me to enter so I could descend to the lobby (in America there is a star and the number 1, unlike in Australia where we have the letter "G"). Upon the soft landing and doors opening on arrival at the ground, I dragged my suitcase behind me towards the front desk so I could check out. I saw Norm's friendly face. He was also checking out. He and I had agreed the night before that we would catch a taxi together to the airport. It was nice to be slowly peeling away my safe friends, rather than being plunged into self reliance in one hit. That would be mine soon enough.
Checking out procedure completed, Norm and I went out of the doors of the hotel to the area where a concierge organised a taxi for us. We didn't have to wait long. Our chatty taxi driver happily and efficiently helped us with our bags, and then cleverly negotiated his way through what seemed to be a never ending traffic jam. He talked about how long he had lived in Las Vegas. I asked him if his accent was from New York, and he said, "No, close, New Jersey". Then we talked about the bushfires in Australia, and climate change, and how our political leaders didn't believe in it. Before we knew it, we were at the airport. Norm kindly paid the fare (I was not thinking ahead - it was still too early in the morning for me - and I was fumbling and bumbling in my bag trying to find the money.)
Then it was time to say 'See ya later' to Norm who had been nothing but a total gentleman the whole trip. Suddenly I felt alone and vulnerable, but I chose to take a deep breath and watch the next part of my journey unfold before me.
I entered the airport and went to a machine (just like I do at Perth airport) and checked in to get my boarding pass and my luggage ticket. Then I calmly went to the line where I needed to check in my suitcase. Everything was going smoothly. Next I went to security and did all the things I had to do there - computer in a tray, hand bag and shoes in another tray, backpack on its own ... then roll the lot down to the x-ray machine. Next I walked into the screening machine, feet on the yellow feet, hands above my head and a scan of my whole body was taken.
As I stepped out of the scanner, a security officer asked to pat down my body - especially my right ankle which was quite swollen and my left hip pocket (which had a tissue in it). All was fine. I collected my gear, put on my shoes and made my way to the gate from which my flight was leaving. There was no way I was going to allow myself to miss the flight! When I got to the gate I had to enter a train that took me to the point of departure! This trip was all about trains, planes and automobiles!
Everything was calm and orderly. My butterflies were flying in formation! Then the call was made to start boarding the plane. I really appreciate the orderly way the American airlines ask the passengers to enter the plane so that it fills up from the front to the back with as little fuss as possible.
I found my seat. It was next to a window. After putting my back pack up in the above head storage compartment, I had to ask a gorgeous young girl to get up so I could get to my seat. She had her table down and it was covered with drinks and food. She was busy on her cell phone and didn't look too happy to be disturbed. She barely acknowledged me as she stood up to let me in so I could slide over to my chair and put on my seatbelt. The young girl recomposed herself and had everything perfectly set up again, and then a young Spanish speaking lady rolled up and indicated that she wanted to sit down next to me. She was involved in a conversation with her partner. The young beauty with the surly demeanour removed all her cups and food packages, put up her table, stood up and let the Spanish lass in. The Spanish speaker balanced her cell phone cleverly while she settled into her seat, never missing a cue to speak to her man inside her cell phone. The young, beautiful woman, with the perfect eyelashes and nails, reorganised herself yet again - hopefully for the last time.
An announcement was made that there was a delay and that we would be late getting to New York, and those of us that had someone meeting us needed to contact them and let them know. I was being met, but I couldn't easily get to the details of the company I should ring. They were in my bag in the overhead compartment. Then I heard a woman behind me making a phone call and being told by her pick up service that they were monitoring the arrival times of the planes. I figured it was the same deal for the company meeting me, so I relaxed again.
Finally an announcement was made that all electronic devices needed to switched to flight mode. We all obeyed. The girl with the perfect make-up and just the right amount of skin revealed on her back had to stow her seat back table. She obeyed - but I saw a flicker of annoyance due to the fact that she would have to yet again, re arrange all her culinary items once the plane had levelled out. The girl in the middle ate the snack she had brought with her. I put my head back and watched out the window. It was a beautiful day to fly.
Neither girl wanted to converse with me, or with each other. We were all strangers to each other, sitting in closer proximity that strangers normally do. There were no exchanges of any kind. I didn't have anything to say either. I welcomed the opportunity to quietly process the last four weeks, and before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.
Quite a while later I woke up because I was cold. My feet were freezing! I figured the airline was trying to acclimatise the passengers to what they would experience when they got to New York. I had boarded the plane wearing only a light layering of clothing because it had been fresh and warm in Las Vegas. I was carrying my big warm over-sweater so I could put it on when I got to New York. The seating arrangement was compact and I didn't really have the room to put on my sweater, so I laid it over the top of my body. I looked out the window, and here's what I could see:
Snow capped mountains and clear blue skies. I watched the scenery for a while, and then turned my attention to The Lion King movie that was being played on the TV monitors above the aisle that the cabin crew walked along. This was an older model plane. The computer animation was clever and the overall message "hakuna matata" ("no worries" in Swahili) was encouraging. It's actually a message that Jesus gave his disciples:
Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Echoes of Charley Pride's earlier offering - and something I'm going to work really hard to do for the rest of my life.)
The sun was beginning to set. Our clocks had to be put forward four hours and it was nearly a five hour flight. It became dark outside, and then the lights of New York City loomed on the horizon as we began our long descent.
It wasn't the most perfect landing I've experienced, but it was a good one because I'm here to tell the story! The plane was nearly an hour late. It wasn't a major problem for me - I was still on holiday.
Unlike the two young ladies I had sat next to on the plane, I did not have anything to eat for lunch. There was no in flight service and I was really hungry by the time I reached the airport. As I was walking past a Deli, on my way to collect my bag, the look and smell of the food being served was irresistible. I bought myself a salad roll. The flavours were amazing, and I devoured the lot.
Then I walked down to the baggage collection area. I didn't have to wait long before my bag appeared on the carousel. Then I looked around and noticed there was no one to greet me. I found the number for the agency on my bag and phoned them. A churlish lady told me her guy would be there in a matter of moments to collect me. And he was. I was met by a lovely young man who drove me into the hotel in which I was staying for the next two nights. We chatted about the challenges of living in such a big city, and he told me about his dreams for his family.
The hotel was on Broadway, but it wasn't flash. It didn't matter though. All I needed was a comfortable bed, a good shower and close proximity to public transport. I had the lot, and more! Across the road from the hotel was a deli and it sold delicious food "to go", and fresh coffee. Despite it being nearly midnight (8pm Las Vegas time) I went over and visited the deli and got myself a snack. (I knew where to go for coffee in the morning!)Then I went back to the hotel, climbed into bed and watched Shark Tank and Undercover Boss until my eyes began to close and my body was ready to sleep.
Then it was time to say 'See ya later' to Norm who had been nothing but a total gentleman the whole trip. Suddenly I felt alone and vulnerable, but I chose to take a deep breath and watch the next part of my journey unfold before me.
I entered the airport and went to a machine (just like I do at Perth airport) and checked in to get my boarding pass and my luggage ticket. Then I calmly went to the line where I needed to check in my suitcase. Everything was going smoothly. Next I went to security and did all the things I had to do there - computer in a tray, hand bag and shoes in another tray, backpack on its own ... then roll the lot down to the x-ray machine. Next I walked into the screening machine, feet on the yellow feet, hands above my head and a scan of my whole body was taken.
As I stepped out of the scanner, a security officer asked to pat down my body - especially my right ankle which was quite swollen and my left hip pocket (which had a tissue in it). All was fine. I collected my gear, put on my shoes and made my way to the gate from which my flight was leaving. There was no way I was going to allow myself to miss the flight! When I got to the gate I had to enter a train that took me to the point of departure! This trip was all about trains, planes and automobiles!
Everything was calm and orderly. My butterflies were flying in formation! Then the call was made to start boarding the plane. I really appreciate the orderly way the American airlines ask the passengers to enter the plane so that it fills up from the front to the back with as little fuss as possible.
I found my seat. It was next to a window. After putting my back pack up in the above head storage compartment, I had to ask a gorgeous young girl to get up so I could get to my seat. She had her table down and it was covered with drinks and food. She was busy on her cell phone and didn't look too happy to be disturbed. She barely acknowledged me as she stood up to let me in so I could slide over to my chair and put on my seatbelt. The young girl recomposed herself and had everything perfectly set up again, and then a young Spanish speaking lady rolled up and indicated that she wanted to sit down next to me. She was involved in a conversation with her partner. The young beauty with the surly demeanour removed all her cups and food packages, put up her table, stood up and let the Spanish lass in. The Spanish speaker balanced her cell phone cleverly while she settled into her seat, never missing a cue to speak to her man inside her cell phone. The young, beautiful woman, with the perfect eyelashes and nails, reorganised herself yet again - hopefully for the last time.
An announcement was made that there was a delay and that we would be late getting to New York, and those of us that had someone meeting us needed to contact them and let them know. I was being met, but I couldn't easily get to the details of the company I should ring. They were in my bag in the overhead compartment. Then I heard a woman behind me making a phone call and being told by her pick up service that they were monitoring the arrival times of the planes. I figured it was the same deal for the company meeting me, so I relaxed again.
Finally an announcement was made that all electronic devices needed to switched to flight mode. We all obeyed. The girl with the perfect make-up and just the right amount of skin revealed on her back had to stow her seat back table. She obeyed - but I saw a flicker of annoyance due to the fact that she would have to yet again, re arrange all her culinary items once the plane had levelled out. The girl in the middle ate the snack she had brought with her. I put my head back and watched out the window. It was a beautiful day to fly.
Neither girl wanted to converse with me, or with each other. We were all strangers to each other, sitting in closer proximity that strangers normally do. There were no exchanges of any kind. I didn't have anything to say either. I welcomed the opportunity to quietly process the last four weeks, and before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.
Quite a while later I woke up because I was cold. My feet were freezing! I figured the airline was trying to acclimatise the passengers to what they would experience when they got to New York. I had boarded the plane wearing only a light layering of clothing because it had been fresh and warm in Las Vegas. I was carrying my big warm over-sweater so I could put it on when I got to New York. The seating arrangement was compact and I didn't really have the room to put on my sweater, so I laid it over the top of my body. I looked out the window, and here's what I could see:
Snow capped mountains and clear blue skies. I watched the scenery for a while, and then turned my attention to The Lion King movie that was being played on the TV monitors above the aisle that the cabin crew walked along. This was an older model plane. The computer animation was clever and the overall message "hakuna matata" ("no worries" in Swahili) was encouraging. It's actually a message that Jesus gave his disciples:
Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Echoes of Charley Pride's earlier offering - and something I'm going to work really hard to do for the rest of my life.)
It wasn't the most perfect landing I've experienced, but it was a good one because I'm here to tell the story! The plane was nearly an hour late. It wasn't a major problem for me - I was still on holiday.
Unlike the two young ladies I had sat next to on the plane, I did not have anything to eat for lunch. There was no in flight service and I was really hungry by the time I reached the airport. As I was walking past a Deli, on my way to collect my bag, the look and smell of the food being served was irresistible. I bought myself a salad roll. The flavours were amazing, and I devoured the lot.
Then I walked down to the baggage collection area. I didn't have to wait long before my bag appeared on the carousel. Then I looked around and noticed there was no one to greet me. I found the number for the agency on my bag and phoned them. A churlish lady told me her guy would be there in a matter of moments to collect me. And he was. I was met by a lovely young man who drove me into the hotel in which I was staying for the next two nights. We chatted about the challenges of living in such a big city, and he told me about his dreams for his family.
The hotel was on Broadway, but it wasn't flash. It didn't matter though. All I needed was a comfortable bed, a good shower and close proximity to public transport. I had the lot, and more! Across the road from the hotel was a deli and it sold delicious food "to go", and fresh coffee. Despite it being nearly midnight (8pm Las Vegas time) I went over and visited the deli and got myself a snack. (I knew where to go for coffee in the morning!)Then I went back to the hotel, climbed into bed and watched Shark Tank and Undercover Boss until my eyes began to close and my body was ready to sleep.
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