LAX and the Lost Day

LAX to Fiji: Jan. 7 – Jan. 9

Hey there, everybody. Due to travel and the dearth of wireless availability over the past few days, we haven’t been able to post much lately, but a lot has been happening. We’re currently in Auckland now, having arrived on Friday at about 1 pm local time. We’ll try and catch up the blog to what we’re actually doing soon, but will post our experiences in Fiji first.

Most of this was written from sunny Fiji. Our flight to Fiji from LA was largely uneventful, which is always good. Air Pacific is as friendly as advertised and does a nice job, as our 10-hr flight to Fiji was probably more enjoyable than our 6-hr flight to LA. There was champagne with breakfast and a free sleeping mask and toothbrush to make the flight more comfortable. They even served two meals (and snacks) during the flight! Take that American airlines... A 10:30 PM departure from LA on Sunday, January 7^th meant we landed in Fiji at around 5 AM on Tuesday, the 9^th, so we in effect lost the 8^th almost entirely. As Stephen Colbert might say, January 8^th, you’re dead to us! Especially since Ohio State did its worst to represent the Big Ten against Florida in the National Championship game on that day – Ohio State, we knew there was a reason we don’t like you… Anyway, flying international out of LAX these days is not the most fun experience.

Not to get off on a travel rant this early in our trip, but here goes. Our flight reservation indicated that we should arrive 3 hrs before our 10:30 PM flight, and when we got there, lines snaking out the front doors at LAX looked like we’d need the entire 3 hrs to get through them. In the end, we didn’t need quite that much time to get to our gate, but the experience seemed pretty poorly conceived.

From what we could see, the lines in the international terminal are pretty poorly marked at LAX, so it was hard to tell where one line began, where another ended, and who was waiting in what line. Add to that a sea of people from other countries that don’t speak English, and it becomes an even bigger mess. To get to the gates, you must wait in three separate lines. One to check-in at your airline, a second to lug your checked baggage over to an X-ray machine (apparently you have to be there while that happens for international flights, but this seems not to be a concern for domestic flighs), and then a third line for security check before you get on the flight. I’m not an aviation expert, but it seems amazing that no one has thought of a more efficient or orderly way for people to get through the airport.

This in and of itself is bad, but since you’re at the airport and time always seems to be of the essence, you feel like you have to rush through to your gate way before it ever boards. At that point, hope you’re not hungry: after you pass through security in LAX’s international terminal there is only one place to get anything to eat, a way overpriced little café that serves little beyond $4 hot dogs and $7 mini pizzas. I mean, I expect to get gouged at the airport, but come on, that’s just rubbing it in at that point. There looked to be decent food options before the checkpoint, but it didn’t seem to be a risk we should take, especially when you don’t know how long the security line will turn out to be. Thanks LAX, you make flying a special experience.

We will try to update more often (and with photos) as Internet access allows. New Zealand is not as far along in free wi-fi as the U.S. They even charge you for wireless access at Starbucks. But a grande non-fat chai latte tastes just as good here as it does across the Pacific.

Howdy from Fiji!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that our Fiji adventure is over, and we are now enroute to New Zealand. We will update everyone on our travels when we have a better Internet connection. Hope all is well on your side of the world.

The Dude Abides

Los Angeles, the City of Angels. Multiple viewings of "The Big Lebowski" have largely colored my pre-existing notions of L.A. We didn't manage to go bowling while we were in town, and I didn't order a Caucasian at dinner last night, but we did manage to squeeze in Lebowski moments whenever possible.

We started out Saturday morning by taking a walk down Hollywood Boulevard, which is home to Mann's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I accidentally poured a signicant part of my coffee right next to Jeff Bridges' star, which fans of Lebowski will find cosmically appropriate, as it's not unlike the time in the film when the Chinaman peed on the Dude's rug ("Asian-American, please").

El Duderino, if, you know, you're not into the whole brevity thing

We had our sole celebrity sighting of the day by Mann's Chinese Theater. Well, you know, this isn't really Johnny Depp, but my nieces our big fans of Pirates of the Caribbean, and I thought they would enjoy the photograph. And his costume was really good (unlike the Jack Sparrow down the street, who was much less convincing).

Captain Jack Sparrow, mugging for the tourists

Next up was a quick hike in Runyon Canyon to work up an appetite for lunch (more on that later...). Josh lives less than a block away from the entrance of this popular city park. The dog to human ratio was about 1:1 (although we were probably bringing down the average), and Andrew heard more than once, "Aww... I want a dog!" Perhaps when we get back from New Zealand... The weather was great, and the sky was surprisingly clear - we were able to see all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Its always nice to find beautiful outdoor spaces within an urban setting.

Los Angeles skyline from Runyon Canyon

Andrew and Becky with the Hollywood sign behind them

Having worked up an appetite on our walk, we headed towards a Los Angeles (and Lebowski) institution: In-and-Out Burger. I think the photograph tells the whole story.


Other highlights of the day included a visit to "The Grove" - an outdoor shopping mall that feels like the Disney World of retail. There, Josh spotted Scott Bakula, sadly not of Lebowski fame. The Grove also had a terrific Farmers Market, where we could have enjoyed a delicious lunch had we not already gorged on cheeseburgers.

At dinner at the Cabo Cantina, Josh also saw David from the Los Angeles season of "The Real World" (Josh has a sixth sense for the celebrity sighting, apparently developed after five years of living in L.A.). The restaurant featured a two-for-one happy hour (with every one drink you order, they bring you two) and was very popular with the former fraternity brother and wannabe starlet crowd. Our stomachs full of nachos and margaritas (this certainly hasn't been a healthful visit to L.A. thus far) we headed back to Josh's to rest up for our last day in the states.

Bon Voyage! (Or the Maori Equivalent)

Your intrepid world travelers have arrived safely in Los Angeles (notice the update on our Jauntlet map). We managed to cram all the necessities into our backpacks (it's not so easy to pack for a whole year!) but did have to leave a few of Andrew's t-shirts behind (I'm sure he'll be constantly replenishing the supply during our travels). Although initially we thought I (Becky) was carrying the heavier load, the airport scale confirmed that Andrew's pack was indeed heavier (Becky = 35 lbs, Andrew = 36.5 lbs). Although, I would like to note that proportional to my body size, I am still carrying more weight... ahem.

Photo on the porch in Mount Gretna

Our families gathered in Mount Gretna to send us off, so after some last minute packing - and much picture taking - we were on our way to Newark. Fortunately, I was mostly cried out from the night before (I was a mess...), so there were minimal waterworks on our way to the airport. Mom did try to make a wrong turn on to the turnpike (intentional or no? You decide...). Other than that, we arrived at the airport without incident and on schedule. My tear ducts must have had a chance to refill during the drive, so there was a teary curbside drop off at Newark as we said our last goodbyes.

Six hours later... Los Angeles! Josh (a.k.a. Chipper) picked us up at the airport, and, after a quick bite to eat, we went to the Three of Clubs for a nightcap. Several years ago, Andrew and his brother Adam saw Vince Vaughn there, which is amusing since they were at the bar since it was featured in the movie Swingers, and Andrew has persisted in telling this story of his brush with celebrity ever since. Unfortunately, the bar had ridiculously loud and piercing 80's music on tap last night, but no celebrities, or even pseudo-celebrities in attendance.

Speaking of celebrities, Andrew has decided that the celebrity I now look like (post-haircut) is Parker Posey (a la her celebrity guest judge appearance on Project Runway). The altitude on the plane must have affected his brain functioning, because I, of course, disagree.

Finally, for anyone suffering from trip envy, at least the weather is just as nice where you are as it is here. It is 67 degrees and sunny in Los Angeles... but that's the same forecast for Lebanon, PA. Al Gore, get to the bottom of this!

A Cut Above

A haircut perfect for a world traveler, or so I've been told. I certainly feel lighter without all the extra inches. It's now less than 24 hours before we set out to catch our airplane to Los Angeles. We've been enjoying all the remaining moments with our friends and family. Last night was dinner at Chez Shea, where my brother-in-law prepared a lamb feast. Tonight was a delicious Italian dinner at Chez Tice (with a side of steak prepared just for me... when you decide to eat red meat after 5 years, everyone wants to make it for you!). We'll keep you posted from L.A.

Becky Brings The Emotion

Overheard multiple times in Lebanon, PA this week:

Friend: So, Becky, you guys are leaving in less than a week. Are you excited?
Becky: I don't want to talk about it. (dabs at eyes with tissue)

Happy New Year!

It didn't take long for the exclamation point to return to the title line! I just wanted to wish a very happy new year to all of our friends and family. It was great to spend the holidays with everyone here in central Pennsylvania. It was far more relaxing this year without all the usual running back and forth from Vermont to Lebanon. And after four months, it's hard to believe that we will soon be on our way to New Zealand! The next three days will be jammed (hehe...) with errands, packing, and visits with friends and family. Any friendly reminders for our packing lists will certainly be appreciated.

Krista, Andy, Adam, Mike, Danielle, Andrew and Shanna ringing in the New Year

"Say hotdog!" Krista and Becky smiling for the camera