As per usual my trip did not go as planned. Though I must confess my trip was much less eventful than many across the united states who suffered entire airports shutting down, travel agencies going bankrupt and canceling their trips, or being delayed for 7 hours in the Burbank Airport (see Polly Meredith's blog for that story), but my trip was rather unpredictably eventful.
The first unplanned event was when I arrived at the flyaway. I very nice gentleman with a baggage cart greeted me and placed my bags on the cart and headed towards the bus. Leaving me to purchase my bus ticket. When I approached the window to buy my ticket I was shocked to see both windows closed for business. Though behind one sat a woman intently reading and US magazine. Instead of actually speaking to me she simply pointed at the closed sign, half rolled her eyes and licked her finger and turned a page. I politely informed her that my bags were on the bus and I simply needed to be on the bus with them. :) She looked at the bus to see the very nice gentleman loading my bags on the bus.........to which she sighed deeply, rolled her eyes and said very frankly "$4 for one way or $6 for round trip.........which is it (said with disdain). I gave her my $4 and retrieved my ticket and was sure to tip the man who assisted me with my bags several dollars.
Though the man who assisted me with the bags was very helpful and kind............well he was not very well informed. My ticket plainly stated that I was flying out of terminal 2 of LAX. Finding out I was flying international he informed me that all international flights leave from Terminal B. Trusting in his previous helpful record I trusted him and accepted the change. We will return to this story shortly.
Upon boarding the bus I was surprised to run into the Stewart sisters. One who is currently a student and the other a resent graduate. It was very fun exchanging holiday plans with each other and chatting about future plans. Upon arriving at terminal 2 the Stewart sister said their goodbye's and exited the bus...........a few moments later they re boarded the bus and sat back down.....to which we all laughed......they were terminal 3 not 2. After a good laugh we both expressed our relief at this not being our stop for a huge family got off at this stop with more luggage than most baggage shops. We both exclaimed how we would hate to be in line behind them. Terminal 3 was a few hundred yards away and we laughingly said goodbye once again.
Next stop was Terminal B, I joyfully exited the bus and went to retrieve my luggage. The driver asked me what airline I was flying. I said "Virgin Atlantic" to which he replied, you can guess this one, "Oh, that is back at Terminal 2". So I got the joy of gathering my bags and carrying them back to Terminal 2.........oh, yes.......you guessed it.....where I got to stand in line behind the family with 400 pieces of luggage. All of which were the incorrect weight or wrong size to carry on the plane. After 25 minutes they finally got all the bags and children sorted out and I arrived at the counter. To say the attendant was glad to see only one person is an understatement. He was happy to serve only one very calm individual rather than the family from Cheaper by the Dozen.
Then it was on through security and onto the plane. Well I meet a seemingly normal young lady named Gemma. We went through the normal pleasantries, chatted for a while then she went to playing Tetras and I watched a movie while we waited for supper to be served. That is when things got interesting. What was very interesting was the many different positions that she placed her body in. Apparently she was a dance instructor and decided to place her legs in places I did not think a person could or would place them in considering she was on a plane. And I did wake in the middle of the night to find her asleep leaning against the window and having placed both of her feet across my lap. It really wasn't a trouble so I simply closed my eyes and went back to sleep. I was just glad I could be of service as an easy chair. :)
I arrived in London well rested and full of energy. The bag claim and customs was a breeze and I was soon in Heathrow's main terminal. I had planned on taking the underground to the train station and catching the train out to Royston to meet my cousin. The gentlemen selling tickets informed me that I needed to go the Paddington station and that I needed to take the express train to Paddington. So I paid my 15 pounds and boarded the express. 15 minutes later I arrived at Paddington station. This is where I was informed I was at the wrong station and that I was supposed to be at King's Crossing, which I had to purchase a 4 pound ticket to get their. At which time I was informed that if I had paid 4 pounds at the airport I could have taken the underground direct to King's Crossing. Oh yeah, I will be looking up that ticket agent at Heathrow when go to fly home (Give him what for, I will).
Boarding the train was rather uneventful. My plan was to get on board sit back and view the country side out to Royston. What I did not take into account was that it gets dark in England about 4pm. So all I saw was my reflection in the glass for 1 and 1/2 hours. There could be worse things to look at.
My trip ended with my cousin meeting me at the station. Which was touch and go. She gave me her cell phone to call once I arrived at Royston but came to find out that her cell phone doesn't take calls from pay phones. A very nice English lady next to the pay attempted to help me dial and once she realized my dilemma she pulled out her cell phone dialed the number and gave me the phone. At the very moment her train arrived so I am running with her to her train as I waited for Michelle to pick up. Michelle picked up the phone I barked through the phone "I'm here in Royston, can you come please." and then handed the phone to the nice lady as the doors closed on the train. We both had huge grins on our faces as the train pulled away.
Like I said, every trip is an adventure and I loved living this one with all its quirks and turns.
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