TRANSIT

First, when I arrived with my family to Midway airport my bag was too heavy, weighing in at 106 pounds. I took out a couple pairs of winter shoes and some warm clothing items, which brought my bag to 96 pounds. Phew! Goodbyes with the fam were sweet and a bit teary to be expected, but I know I will see them in August, so all is good. ☺ Getting through the airport was not much of a problem. When I arrived at LAX airport, I had to claim my baggage and check in with Air New Zealand. Lugging around my 96 pound bag, as well as a large box carrying my bike, a book bag, one small carryon suitcase and my purse all on one small cart, I waited in line to check in my bags again. When I arrived at the counter with an airline clerk, I could barely lift my bag onto the scale to have it weighed and when I did so, the woman told me, “Your bag is too heavy. It is only allowed to be 70 pounds.” HOLY GOD!!! I was stressed for sure. I stepped to the side with my belongings and began taking out all the heavy books that were packed in my suitcase, cut open my bike box and began stuffing as many things in that bike box as I could. When I thought I had put 25 pounds worth of shit into that box, I lifted my bag onto the scale to find I was 6 pounds shy. Eeeee God. Finally, I made it to the proper weight. At that point, I could barely lift the bike box onto the scale and was worried again. The scale came up .6 Kgs short of being over the limit. PHEW!!! Also, I did not to mention the fact that I had landed in a warm California and still was wearing my wool socks, jeans, long sleeve shirt and hooded sweatshirt. You could imagine that I was the definition of sweating bullets. Needless to say that after that I was on the search for bevs and snacks. This experience reaffirmed the fact that I despise LAX airport. Last time I came through LAX, the water was out so everyone who used the toilet for the past 8 hours before me had not been able to flush. Imagine a ton of toilet paper party hats coming out of every single stall you may want to use. It was awful. This time, once I got through security I had 1 option for a place that served both alcohol and food. I ordered nachos and a Stella. The nachos came with cheese, jalapenos, olives, sour cream and guacamole, which sounded good at that point. They came out to the table and were covered in liquefied cheese, fresh jalapenos as well as pickled ones, 3 olives, packaged guacamole and a cup of sour cream. Oh well. I ate around the cheese pools, slugged my Stella and ordered another. Then it was time to get closer to the gate. I got my bill, and it was $35. LAX is a bitch.
The flight with Air New Zealand from Los Angeles was very pleasant. Everyone had told me that once I was on that plane, all would be right in the world and it was true. I had chosen a window seat which allowed me more elbow room and a place to rest my head, plus the seats were more roomy than any other plane I have flown on. I was very tired and had a difficult time staying awake, so about an hour into the flight, I slept. An hour later, dinner was served and it was great. I had chosen to have vegetarian food on the flight so my food would come out slightly before everyone else’s, but I waited a couple minutes until the couple sitting next to me had their food to begin eating. After a little cheese tortellini with steamed vegetables and a couple glasses of wine, I took a nasal decongestant and passed out for a good 8 hours. I was exhausted. When I awoke, I put on Young Frankenstein and giggled quietly to myself for a couple hours. Before I knew it, breakfast was served and an hour later we landed.