MESSAGEIN A BOTTLE
Well I am off to start myJourney :o)
8:00am Tallahasseetime Friday 12/10/1999: I Finally decidedwhat I will wear to the airport and now get dress as I scurryabout to insure I have packed everything I need.
8:30am Tallahasseetime Friday 12/10/1999: WellI am shutting this comp down as I make my way out the door to goto the airport. Kiss the Mama goodbye and hope she will not cry :_o(
9:00am Tallahasseetime Friday 12/10/1999: Ihave arrived at the airport and "guess what?" MyReservations have been canceled. Hahahaha nice try you can't stopme this time as I have confirmed my flight and re-instated myreservations. Checking in knowing no one will meet me in SanDiego and I have just flown the fist leg of my journey for free. THANX LeaDorn :o)
9:45am Tallahasseetime Friday 12/10/1999: Wellboarding has begun and I have Hugged the Papa Goodbye (He neverCries :o)
10:10amTallahassee time Friday 12/10/1999: I must be blessed to some extent as I am sitting heretyping this aboard my plane as we have just taken off now. I amon my way y'all. not too much longer and I can pet a koala :o)
11:00am Atlantatime Friday 12/10/1999: WellI just thought I would make this quick note the pilot has justannounced the all electronic devices must be turned off duringthe landing cycle.
11:15am Atlantatime Friday 12/10/1999: Myears are still popping and I am dying for a cigarette lol. I justrealized I don't have a window seat and I don't want Mahal ko tothink I am looking at the girlie girls on the plane so I am goingto the counter agent to change the seating so I can see the veiwoutside as the movie will be some lame Huge Grant Movie called"Mr Blue Eyes" Yuck!!!
12:15pm Atlantatime Friday 12/10/1999: Boardinghas begun and look who is first in line :o)
12:40pm Atlanta time Friday 12/10/1999:Well LeaDorn I am stillgiving you the benefit of the doubt and hoping you will bemeeting me at the terminal when I land in San Diego. Although Ihave much evidence telling me you will not. but thinking with ahuge smile on my face, "Oh well, in case you do not show up,Thanx for the tickets anyway :o)"
1:15pm Atlanta time Friday 12/10/1999:I am still recording thingsbased on my time Zone as I do not know where the Heck I am lol,but I do know they have started the movied and serving lunch."Steak or chicken Sir?" Hmmmm... it looks like Hospitalfood :o( But oddly enough it is dang good... Maybe I am justreally hungry as I have just realized I did not eat beforeleaving. Oh sh** I forgot my Shampoo too :o(
2:15pm San Diego time Friday 12/10/1999:Well the Pilot on thisflight sounds a lot like the Pilot from the last one... again Ihave to close this Computer out for the duration of the landingprocess. We are landing now... I am sure I already know what toexpect, but Let's see if LeaDorn is waiting for me.
2:30pm Atlanta time Friday 12/10/1999:NOT!!! I knew I would bestranded here but in knowledge we find our defense. I wasprepaired for just such an occurance :o) I am currently trying tocall LeaDorn to findout what happened, No Answer at his Phone.
3:30pm San Diego time Friday 12/10/1999:I have quit trying to CallLeaDorn for the moment so I can review my other options. Guesswhat easy JAL flys out of here so I can just tag on a flight tothe trip you have scheduled for me and it will only cost an added$118.25 Which I have and leaves me plenty tolook into hotel and motel options to have a rest. Thanx Easy :o)
6:00pm San Diego time Friday 12/10/1999:Just finished dinner stillall alone with no lodging but I am about to inquire about it now...Well take care who you trust.. Not everyone is worth a damn. Istill have not found a place to get online in this stupid town...Man even Tallahassee has Public Internet Terminals that are free.I just tried to Call LeaDorn "Agian" but no luck "Again"I am so glad he wasted his money and not mine. Easy I still trustyou :o) LeaDorn if I have to spend into anymore of my emergencyfunds you better hope I never see you... wait that is bad of me...I will be the better man....
THANX FOR THE FREETRIP TO SAN DIEGO LEADORN :o)
6:30pm San Diego time Friday 12/10/1999:well I just talked to anemployee at the airport that was able to recommend an inexpensivelodging. I am waiting for a cab and headed there now.
7:30pm San Diego time Friday 12/10/1999:I just logged online andposted this page of my journal. Got to talk to a few of you inACN. Thanx for your concerns... but I was prepared for thepossibility... HeyE I am about to call you. Thanx for being my safety net here inCalifornia... youwhere right about LeaDorn and I am glad you helped me prepare forthis situation I am in... Gotta run as my battery is low rightnow and I need to find an adapter so I can pluginmy three prongplug into the two prong recepticals in my room. Gosh a bed... Ithink I deserve this rest stop lol.
7:45pm San Diego timeFriday 12/10/1999: Ijust talked to E about my situation. Thanx for the collect callyour voice of reason has helped to let me make lite of it all. Iam glad to have a friend like you in my corner. Maybe you cangive LeaDorn lessons in being a real person lol. Thanx again...still looking for a box for your roo but if you get it and it isbuzzing, don't open it lol
8:40pm San Diego time Friday 12/10/1999:I'm back with my Adapter :o)going to spend a little time chatting then email my parents tolet them know how it goes here.
8:50pm San Diego time Friday 12/10/1999:Thinking how much I missyou mahal ko. Thinking of being with you gives me strength tocontinue and let nothing stand in my way to being closer to you.Your Love carries my spirit above all adversity. See you soonMahal ko I am almost in Oz.
3:00am San Diego time Saturday12/11/1999: I am feelingthe exhaustion of the day. I have finally chatted with Mahal kofor a while... Sleep will come easily this night as I settle intobed with her on my mind. I Love You Mahal Ko.
8:00am San Diego time Saturday12/11/1999: I Woke up thismorning to a knocking on my door. Then a voice from the otherside... "Cleaning service... do you need it?" I findthis question strangely put, as I rise from my bed. I open thedoor and inform the maid I will just be staying in the room. Hey...I am hungry. I get dressed to pay for the next day's stay then togo in search of sustanance.
9:50am San Diego time Saturday12/11/1999: Okay I am backin my hotel room (still quite alone mahal ko :o) I wonder what Iwill do today as I surf the channels on the television. Perhaps Iwill just stay here and rest so time will pass quickly. I thinkof you mahal ko and decide to make these entries for today. Sorryif these entries are not filled with excitement but I am a bitdistracted with my own excitement pondering my new life to beginin Australia and the hope of being with you soon mahal ko.
11:30am San Diego time Saturday12/11/1999: I just sawLeaDorn in ACN he did not say a word. Do not know why but I shantworry for it... Don't tell him where I am until I am gone please.
9:00pm San Diego time Saturday12/11/1999: Well guess Ihave a even more boring entry for you now. all i did today wassleep or watch tv. Not much interest in this city. I can't waitto get out of here. just a few more hours to go.
4:45am San Diego time Sunday 12/12/1999:Well guess what the heckjust happened the computer in the hotel lobby just cut my phoneoff over $3.50US. Aaarrggghhh!!! I am going togo down and tell them what to do with their phone.
5:45am San Diego time Sunday 12/12/1999:Time to head to the airport.this will be my last entry posted before I land in Brisbane soWish me luck and say your prayers. TTFN
6:15am San Diego time Sunday 12/12/1999:Well I have a rrived at theAirport so I can purchase tickets for a filght at 9:30am. Yeahyeah I know I am early but I am glad I did you can guess whatkind of line I am standing to have time to type this... Sheesh...Your ever thinking narator was thinking ahead. Okay so maybe itwon't take three hours to get my ticket but I still have to seewhat kind of security I will face from this airline. Oh I guess Ihave not metioned the check in till now... Maybe I will tell youwhen I get done here as the line is moving faster than I hadplanned when I started typing this.
6:45am San Diego time Sunday 12/12/1999:Hey all I have had yetanother change in my flight plans. It seems the flight going outright now has empty seat available and they have asked if I wouldcare to fly now. Well duh... I am out of San Diego with nocomplications and LA bound. Hey LeaDorn Fu** you and your PissAnt City. okay San Diego was nice so I won't crack on the town.anyway time to go. (about to have a confirmation chat with thebaggage guys to make sure my luggage gets loaded.
6:50am San Diego time Sunday 12/12/1999:And We Have Lift-off. I amaboard a SAAB 340... Guess what that means? As a twin engine propit fall under the list of planes I am rated for... If anythinggoes wrong with the flight crew I can land this sucker :o) Let'shope it won't come to that. anyway I guess I should take thistime to tell you what security is like. I have to empty mypockets of anything metalic and place the contents in a basket.Then I place my Laptop on a conveyer belt which draws it throughan x-ray device. I then walk through a metal detector. Then onthe other side I discover an officer waiting for me to come claimmy laptop. Strangely everytime they ask, "Excuse me sir butmay I search the contents of this further?" I responded eachtime, "Yeah right as if you would let me go on if I said no."(that did get a laugh but I do not think i will try it in foreigncountries)anyway the make me pull out my laptop then the use agadget that detects liquid and plastic explosives on both the bagand my computer. Next Question is "Can you turn it on please?"I have to allow them to continue so ofcourse I comply. Now I amallowed to pack up my things and continue. I only wish this eventpassed as fast as you have just read this but I have spent halfan hour at each of these Security check points. okay so now youknow and we are about to land soon so I have to Close this outhere and pack up to disembark.
7:55am Los Angeles time Sunday12/12/1999: We have Arrivedin LA but I did not see the Hollywood sign :o( Anyway... As Ileave the Plane I look for my bags to be unloaded and upon seeingthem headed towards the international terminal I start asking howI am to get there.
8:10am Los Angeles time Sunday12/12/1999: OMG what a walkto find the right terminal. I am standing in front of the JALticket counter trying to findout what gate to go to, but guesswhat? the counter is closed. Twelve staff members are scurryingabout as they get ready to open. I stopped one only to findout Ihad to watch the flight board or wait until 9:00am to findout myanswer. So I find a low traffic area in front of the flight boardand start to watch the fights scroll through as it reachesflights scheduled for 11:45am it returns to 8:00am. Realizing Iam going to e here a while I drop my carrying case to the floorand wait.
8:35am Los Angeles time Sunday12/12/1999: Well the boardhas not changed much... infact only one flight has change butabout 6 are about to change. I sense someone approaching me and Ilook to see who just before I am asked, "Are you American?"
"Hmmmm... Yes I am... why?"
Standing before me is a blonde woman taller than me with a mic inher had and a brown haired guy with a camera.
"Do you mind if we ask you some questions on camera?"Well I need not tell you how this camera hound responded lol."Do you have any fears about traveling with the threatsgoing on against american travelers?"
At this point I am thinking to myself is this just fate testingmy resolve? Someone up there trying to scare me? Well I need nottell you I will go to hell and back for this trip to happen so Ianswered, "What threats?" as I had no clue what she wastalking about lol. Well my faitful readers I do not know if anyof you have heard about this but some terrorist are threateningto hunt down american travelers and kill them... they mentioned aname but I would not care to pretend to know how to spell it. Hernext question tickled the heck out of me as sje asked, "Areyou at all concerned about having you travels plans disrupted bythese terrorists?" I smiled at her wanting show her thisjournal and tell her I have had points when I wanted someone toshoot me already, but I did not. I simply responded, "Notreally, for what is life without risks?.. BORING." And leftit at that. she then explain that the US Government wasrecommeding we travel with a low profile and not publicize ourroutes or attend large gatherings abroad. "Do you think youwill try head that suggestion?" I replied, "With theexception of this interview I am as low profile as they come. Iam no one special to anyone but my friends and not going anywherespecial to anyone but me." I think she expected me to havemore fear as her next question, "So you do not plan to takeany special precautions with your travels?" I did not botherto tell her special is just another word for money of which I hadnone lol. I just replied "Nope, this is just like travel ofany kind like going in a car... If you drive affraid you willwreck you will never reach your destination. I have many greatthing I want awaiting me at my destination, and nothing not eventerrorist threat is going to stop me from trying to get there."At that Point I thought to say aloud but kept to myself... I LoveYou Mahal Ko. I hope my CA friends have the chance to see me onthe news tonight :o)
9:00am Los Angeles time Sunday12/12/1999: Finally theticket counter is open and I am again asking for my gate number.Upon recieving that I am off to deal with security and find Gate103. As I walk through the crowd I just now realize I am in a seaof asians and quite alone as the only american in site. I willhave to watch myself from now on as I can barely comprehend theconversations around me. As I get closer to my gate and the crowdhas thinned I am among the more familiar japanese conversationsand feel a bit more relaxed but still feel I should watch my p's& q's. And ofcourse I know what you are thinking mahal ko butI am intentionally keeping my gaze on the ground so I canhonestly tell you I did not even look at another woman... ThoughI have looked at their feet lol.
9:55am Los Angeles time Sunday12/12/1999: I had forgottenhow big this airport is I am at my gate and waiting for theboarding counter to open. I am told it will be at 11:30... Heyeasy and easy2 you said I had to be here 2 hours before my flight>:o( hmmmmm... someone was misinformed.
10:35am Los Angeles time Sunday12/12/1999: I am sittinghere thinking what to type as I have time on my hand and I am nowlooking at the plane I will be boarding, it is the largestairplane that I have seen up close in quiet some time. Well myjet flight rating is only for a Leer private class so I doubtanyone is gonna let me fly this baby lol.
11:35am Los Angeles time Sunday12/12/1999: Gate Checkinhas begun I have harrassed the gate attendant with my manyquestions about what is about to happen to me but the attendanthas been very helpful to this concern understanding that it hasbeen a long time since I have traveled out of the country and thelast time I left things where a bit easier. I am also making sureI get the window seat I want.
12:20pm Los Angeles time Sunday12/12/1999: We have justbeen informed that boarding will beging for the class I am flying.I have already boarded at this point and guess what has happened?...Someone is sitting in my seat... Worse yet they have a boardingpass with the same seat number as mine whatever are they going todo about this. the attendant has asked me to wait to see whatseats are available.
12:45pm Los Angeles time Sunday12/12/1999: The flight is abit late taking off but all are onboard and the seats are full...I will be upstairs in the front in a bulkead seat... now forthose of you that are not familiar with airplanes what that meansis I do not have anyone sitting infront of me just a wall and atelevision screen. The wall is about 4' away from me so I haveall kinds of leg room. and I am seated next to two very niceladies who in the course of the fight have befriended me and wehave shared much tween eachother... I wonder if they will let meput their names here?... Atsuko Hendrix, and Yuki Hodges are veryopen and friendly ladies of about 50 - 60 years in age, They arefrom Oceanside, CA and going to Osaka to be with family... theywere a nice unexpected surprise as I figured I would bestruggling through conversations with a japanese speaking personthat knew about as much English as I did Japanese... These ladiesspeak very clearly and have helped me understand the annoucementsduring the flight. Things seem a bit backwards to me as I amaccustom to hearing the english announcements first then thetranslations, but on this flight I am lucky if I get the englishversion at all. Oh BTW E, I did what you said and had a beer withmy dinner and after which I feel asleep just as you said I would.I actually watched the movie on this flight. the movie was "Boldfinger"staring Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. I am told there will be asecond movie from Japan to watch soon. Though I do not yet knowthe name of it I am sure I will have loads of fun trying to watchit :o) Okay my Baterry is running low now so gotta go. I willwrite more from Osaka. Have fun :o)
1:30pm Osaka time Monday 12/13/1999:8 hours into the flight nowand we have just crossed the international date line. It hasbecome pretty much pointless to look out the window at the cloudsnow as they look like and endless blanket of white sand dunes andthe end of it is nowhere in sight. true to my word to mahal ko Ilook on and imagine each swell in the clouds as her smile gazingback at me. At this point the stewardesses no longer ask meanything of my needs. They look to my new friends as if I ameither not there, unable to understand them, or just dumb.actually I know it is because of the noise of the plane and mysoft spoken nature that they do not hear me. So instead they waitfor the clear understanding of what I request from Yuki or Atsuko.So as the options are layed before us I kind of just lean to Yuki'sear telling her what I want in English (or Japanese when possible)as she then repeats my requests in Japanese... Guess I shouldhave practiced up huh?
2:30pm Osaka time Monday 12/13/1999:I was fortunate enough togander out the window just now to see the once endless cloud bankroll away much like a blanket being pulled of a bed from the footof it Below is still more clouds but they are more thin and I canmakeout crests of water as it rolls upon itself. To see it soclearly from this distance I know I am watching tidal waves formand fall like a dance of the water with itself. I wish I had acamera to better share this image with you but I think even stillshot would not do the dance justice.
4:17pm Osaka time Monday 12/13/1999:The Japanese movie has justended and was called "The Messenger" It was a delieghtfull comedy I would recommend to any of you including my Englishspeaking friends out there. The begining was a bit misleading asI thought it was going to be lame. However I stuck it out andwatched the whole movie as it developed into a real managerie ofgaffs gags and mayheim. Still I found myself thinking of youMahal as the story twisted into a love story. Well I have saidtoo much as it is I would not want to ruin the movie for those ofyou whom would try to see it. As the movie ends I turn back tothe window to find the horizon a beautiful mixture of orange andpink, but still no land in sight.
4:26pm Osaka time Monday 12/13/1999:Land Ho!!! Seems I spoketoo soon as the welcome sight of land comes into veiw. From hereI can see marker lights and a harbour... I am told it is Aomoritor Sendai.The cities pass under us to fast for the People aroundme helping to identify them can agree on an answer. Yamagata...Niigata... Fukushima... wait Fukushima? Hey Wantongrl I amsomewhere over head about now lol. Hey WG :o) Moriokio... Toyama...Kamatsu... Komazowa... and may other cities flicker in and out ofview as we cross the heart of Japan. Sorry Lisa & Rose we didnot pass Tokyo but we will say high to you anyway :o)
4:40pm Osaka time Monday 12/13/1999:We are now served or secondmeal as clouds that had been so absent from the scene I couldmake out buildings from a distance are obscuring my view again.Hey hey Lasgna :o) Kewl... I hope you will forgive the brevity ofthis entry. More to come :o)
6:00pm Osaka time Monday 12/13/1999:There is Osaka below us...This has been a strange route indeed we actually flew way northflowing land masses and then now here we have passed Osaka andcircle back to land facing east. the easterly landing makes sensebut looking at the map of the path we took makes little sense forthe extra distance we flew.
6:15pm Osaka time Monday 12/13/1999:We have landed at KansiaAiport in Osaka and now await permission to disembark. I saygoodbye and thanx for the company to Yuki & Atsuko as we stepoff the plane. Knowing I had no clue where to go I immediatelystarted looking for airport staff to direct me. "konnichiwa,Ogenki desu ka... Eigo hana shi ma su ka?" That is myfavorite phrase I ever learned in Japanese. Eigo hana shi ma suka means do you speak English? turns out English is a secondlanguage to everyone in the airport as I spoke to the gate agentsand explianed my delima of finding my next gate they quarrelledabout how I should proceed lol... Like I am going to be satisfiedwith any answer they give at this point. I thank them and proceedin the direction the finally agree on looking for a secondopinion lol... Finding one of the stewardesses disembarking frolmthe plane I was aboard, I looked at her with my best lost puppyeyes and said "Help? :o(" She was very helpful inleading me to the very threshold of my gate before leaving me onmy own again.
7:10pm Osaka time Monday 12/13/1999:Finding I have loads offree time I start looking for a place to recharge my laptop andenter the notes I made in flight after My battery went dead.plugs are not an easy thing to find in any of the terminals Ihave been in and here in Kansia Airport they are all 2 prongplugs. I had to ask for help again. ended up at a desk behind agate counter were I was allowed to occupy during my rest here.Hey easy... Am I going to be able to use my computer at all therein Oz? Seems the closer I get to you the more special my requestfor an outlet becomes lol.
8:20pm Osaka time Monday 12/13/1999:Well i just had a scare tomake me piss my pants... I went to inquire about boarding statusas time grows near to board the plane. The Gate Agent IkukoSakagami has has asked for my passport (the first person on myjourney to do so) and now has a strange look on her face as sheinspects it. Thinking that this is because she did not find astamp inside validating mt travel authorization I show her my ETAconfirmation. Now she is on the phone inquiring the validity ofit. Hmmmmm... should I time stamp this as a new entry? Half anhour has passed and I am standing alone while Ikuko is still yeton the phone. I have yet to see anyone in this airport notsmiling, but Ikuko has such a frown as if to say she has to tellme bad news. Finally she has hung up the phone and comes back tothe desk where I am sitting. Hands me my Passport back and says"Okay" and smiles. Whew I thought I was about to bestuck here in Osaka. She is just new she explained and had tofirst contact someone who knew what to do with such a documentand then had to call the ETA office to verify her frowns werefrom confusion and uncertainty. Bording began at 9:15pm Osakatime and I am the last in line now :o( well I am going to gostand it it... Talk to you later.
9:35pm Osaka timeMonday 12/13/1999: I amaboard the Plane and taken my seat. This flight seems a bit shyon passengers. I have my row of seats all to myself. after take-off.I decide to stretch out and sleep so I can be wide awake in 8.5hours when I land in Brisbane. it is so dark outside that when Ilook out all I see is me looking back.
7:20am Osaka timeTuesday 12/13/1999: Well Iam down and waiting in line to go through customs. As I walk tothe first window I pullout every thing I was told I need. I haveall the ticket stubs from my journey, my Passport, my ETAconfirmation, and a form that I was given to fill out just priorto landing. Upon reaching the first window I turn over all ofthese documants to the agent there. Splaces my Passport on asmall scanner and stares at a computer screen a moment. soonafter she looks at the form I filled out on the plane and handsthe lot back to me. as I walk through I am stopped by Agent 1472,Stacy. She asked me several questions about my stay, how I intendto support myself, and what I was carrying. She asked me severalredundant questions obviously looking for inconsistancies in myresponses. Finishing with the ever expected, "Are youcarrying iny Drugs?" I respond "No" While thinkingto myself glad I did not bring E with me lol. she then directedme to reclaim my luggage and proceed through the nothing todeclare doorway. As I exited the customs area it struck me as oddthat they would ask me so many questions and end with drugs, butnot once open my Computer carrying case to search it. I look upthrough the crowd scanning for easy and easy2 only to discover Iam again in the airport alone :o( I suddenly have a rush ofthoughts strtegizing what I will do if this is another LeaDornsituation. The only answer I can derive is Sh** A Brick. I founda place in the center of the terminal where I could see clearlyin all directions as I wait in hopes they are just late. I turnedto look behind me and cought the gaze of someone just noticing me.THEY ARE HERE!!!
Sorry for the longlogs in the end cylces of my journey but all I had was time anddid not know how to pass it but to tell you all the details. Ihope you are able to get a laugh at the ordeal I have beenthrough as I will for many years to come as I remember it firsthand :o)
Again Thanx foryour concerns, prayers, and good luck wishes. I will look forwardto chatting with you all again very soon.