LA then Dallas

Our arrival at the airport in LA and transport to our hotel should have been dull, but wasn't. We needed confirmation where our hotel shuttle left from so asked a local "friendly" wearing a formal looking ID and assisting all and sundry.

He pointed out the spot (about 5 metres away from where we were) and then produced another ID showing he was collecting for ??? He was very insistent we should pay for his help so Grace offered about AUD 7 in coins - so, to say he was vocally disappointed is an understatement!! "Loose change, and from another country" he stated loudly, but still took the money.

Now, travelling "lightly" with the family (I'll be in trouble for saying with 4 females) internationally for an extended time could be construed as a misnomer. We had distinct differences in counting the correct number of bags, both checked-in and hand-carried. Grace, Meryla and myself had varying numbers, anything from 16~18 articles. The differences were small packs that were given on the plane and whether or not they should be counted.


Enormously frustrating and, of course, ending with an argument. As a result, once the bus dropped us off at our hotel and had left, we discovered one bag missing. Not an unimportant bag either, the one carrying all our cameras, the mini Mac computer, an iPod and all associated chargers and cabling. Fortunately I was there 3 months ago and knew the location of the next stop. A quick sprint through a laneway and I luckily managed to stop the bus and retrieve our bag.
This photo is us at nearly midnight, waiting for the hotel shuttle bus from DFW Airport in Dallas.

Uneventful for the balance of our overnight stay and off to the airport again on Friday afternoon to fly to Dallas. When we went to the check-in, we were told our allowance was only 1 bag/person and we needed to pay an additional $25/bag - until they found out we were still "in transit" internationally and waived the fees.

However, each of us were seated in between 2 people in separate rows scattered through the plane. Neither safe nor acceptable to have our girls between 2 strangers. So, for a USD 29 fee each, they could all be seated in the front row of economy, behind the bulkhead. Pay up we did.

Arrived in our Dallas hotel at midnight local time