Sydney Adventure: Departure

I did everything right. I had everything packed in a carry-on so there was no chance that my luggage would be lost. I got to the airport ridiculously early. I was ready to go. I was supposed to leave SLC at 8:48pm and had a little more than 30 min to get to my connecting flight at LAX to take me to Sydney, Australia. Then someone threw a snowball that just kept growing...
First, our flight was delayed. I didn't have much time for a flight delay. Heart rate starts to increase. I guess one of the flight crew had called in sick and we had to wait for another attendant to come in. there were 2 of us with connecting flights to Sydney and they let us know that we would have approximately 10 min to make it to our connecting flight. We would have to book it. LAX is huge! Ok, I can do that. I was undefeated in the 400m dash during the regular track season of my junior year of high school (10 years ago)--I can totally make it to this flight...
Then. Then I realized that my carry on luggage had to be checked at the door because we were flying in a small regional jet and it wouldn't fit in the overhead storage bins. This was a problem because I'd have to wait for my bag before running through LAX to catch my next flight. Shoot--Heart rate going even faster. I have no way to contact Brooke in Sydney if I miss my flight to Sydney. That's not good. So I ask the United Airlines attendant at the desk if there is any way we could fit my bag on the plane with us. nfortunately that wasn't going to work. Way to go carry-on luggage. But--the nice man who puts the door checked luggage on the plane told me he would put my bag on last so it would come off first and be ready at the door when I got off the plane in LA. Love this guy!! Then, the lady at the desk upgraded my ticket for my inconvienience. Love her too!! Heart rate starting to return back to normal. Too bad my long, 14 hour flight to Sydney couldn't get upgraded...
So things start to look up--except that I still only have 10 minutes to get on my next flight.
Since I had recently had a first class experience, I was excited and ready for another one. Endless snacks, real glasses, plenty of leg room, TV--WRONG! All I got was the "premium snack pack" (pretzels, nuts, and funny tasting cracker things), 1 cup of Sprite in a plastic cup with way too much ice (more like cup of ice with a hint of Sprite), and no movie or tv. I did have plenty of leg room as you can see. Yes, those are my legs fully stretched out. : )
After we boarded the plane and got settled, I met my friend, Brandon, who was about 7, lived in LA, and had been in SLC visiting his mom who is a member of the Salt Lake Roller Derby team. He liked to go surfing, has only been to Disneyland twice, and likes the Steelers football team (sorry Cardinals fans...Go Cards!) Brandon was having a tough time leaving his mom behind and a few tears had escaped from this brave little dude so I decided I would talk to him a little bit and try to help him take his mind off of it. I remember crying in Grandma's kitchen when I was a little, little girl as i would watch my daddy turn on the running lights to his blue, Ford truck and drive away after he dropped me off from our weekend visit. So I could relate to the little guy. This is Brandon after our little chat (I seem to have this affect on a lot of people...)
We finally land at LAX and the other guy, Dillan, and I take off running down the terminal to our next flight. You should have seen me!! I could have come straight out of a movie. My backpack kept coming unzipped as I was waddle-running through the airport pulling my little suitcase behind me. Not my most athletic performance. Good thing I decided to wear my running shoes and not my flip flops! Miraculously I made it onto the plane with 2 minutes to spare! I've never been on a plane that big before and was just in awe as I walked down the aisle to find my seat wondering how on earth something so big was going to get up in the air and carry me over 7500+ miles of ocean to Sydney...Ok. Now I'm ready to go. 14 hour flight and I'll be in Sydney--I made it. WRONG AGAIN! Our flight ended up being delayed 80 min due to some problem with the #3 engine. Great. Just what I need. An engine proplem when I'm flying over THE PACIFIC OCEAN FOR 14 HOURS! Just Fabulous. Take all the time you need...
So while I'm waiting for take off, still catching my breath from running from terminal to terminal to try to catch my flight on time, I overhear the conversation of the man and woman sitting behind me. Apparently they had just met and were discussing different "sexual talents" they have (I don't think these talents are what the Lord had in mind when giving the parable of the talents...), brothels around the world (this girl was apparently well traveled), and the fact that the girl was no longer wearing a bra...OH MY GOODNESS PEOPLE...WE ARE IN PUBLIC! ON AN AIRPLANE...YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!
Once we got into the air (finally) my flight itself was rather uneventful. I think I slept for a total of 10.5-11 hours with frequent changes in position. I was only mildly impressed with the functioning of the neck pillow I had purchaces for $12 back in SLC. I think I'll gift that to my sister when I get back--she has a shorter neck, might work better for her... My internal clock woke me up for each meal thank goodness. Flying makes me hungry. Dinner was pretty tastey. I must have been sitting next to Brooke when I ordered my meals because it was the "low fat" meal option complete with sugar free cookie. I never would have ordered a sugar free cookie on my own...EVERYBODY knows that! I missed out on French Toast for breakfast too...dang healthy omlete... I won't be making that mistake again anytime soon.
Brooke picket me up at the airport--so good to see her! As we were walking through the airport, I was stopped by 2 television reporters who wanted to interview an American about the "swine' flu and how it had affected my travel. It hadn't really affected my travel at all (although ironically it would on my way back to the States...but that's a story for another blog...). The first reporter really wasn't interested in what I had to say and walked away while the second one humored me and coninued the 2 minute interview. 10 minutes in Australia and I'm already a celebrity! Right on!
We took the train into the city (Sydney) and walked to the hotel. We didn't wait around long once we got to the hotel to get our day started. I took a quick shower and off we went!
To be continuted... *wink wink*