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NEW - Added 5/27/2005 |
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A word from the Author: |
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I kept a journal of my travels and experiences in Australia. Some of you have expressed a desire to read it or at least for me to share it with you. My handwriting in places is only decipherible by a certified forensic criminalogist, or me, so I thought I would start this page to give you a taste of what I wrote for posterity (and my poor memory due to the ravages of age....lol) |
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The idea of keeping a journal has been a source of inner conflict in my life. It always facinates and frightens me. I have a very close friend (you know who you are) that has kept personal journals for years. Beginning, possibly, as early as Jr. High. I don't really know how far back they go, because I never asked (strange that, because I can discuss ANYTHING at all with this person). Anyway, this person is nearly the same age as I am, so you can guess how many years this has been going on. I have seen the journals and they have been read to me on a few occasions. I love the idea of writing these things down at the time because they help you remember later when you read them. However, I have never quite managed, because I am: A) Too Lazy; B) Have a boring life (in my opinion); C) Learned the HARD way (of course) that leaving verbal witness to your stupidity is painful and embarrassing even if you are the only one who ever reads it. And EVEN more so if someone else reads it!
Ok, so what? Well, I finally found something worth writing about in a journal. I wrote it for me, to remember what I did, when I can't anymore, which could be any minute now (can you hear my arteries hardening, my cholesterol rising, my hair turning color, my teeth chattering in a jar on the dresser?....lol.). You get the point. |
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From My Travel Journal |
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AUSTRALIA |
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Our Journey to The Land "Down Under"
September 28 - October 7
2004
My chronicle of events befalling Marion Griggs (dad) and Laurie McCall (that's me!) |
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Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 3:35pm SFO (San Francisco Airport)
It seems surreal to be sitting in the airport waiting to take the flight to LA on the first leg of our journey to Australia. The days leading up to this moment are a blur. So many things to do before leaving. |
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I already had a passport, which was under my last married name, so I had to get it changed back to McCall. They didn't issue a new one, just "officially" typed it in the last page. This caused some hassles later as you will read.
Dad had to get a passport and when it came, I think it started sinking in that we were REALLY going. It had been a goal of mine for many years to go to Australia with my dad. He always talked of going there someday when I was growing up. What better thing than to make this trip come true. |
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I spent yesterday shopping for last minute items, getting a pedicure, buying gifts for Eryn and Aidan (Cousin Mike and Tanya's children). Aidan's taste is easy for me to understand. He's all boy and loves Spiderman! Dad and Vivian wne shopping for Eryn and got her a glow in the dark Care Bear and a girlie jumper/dress. Boys are always easier for me.
It took until midnight to get everything organized and packed. Only one suitcase, not even full, and my backpack stuffed with goodies and things to do on the long flights. Not sure if I'll come in under the weight limit. Fingers crossed. |
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So, back to this morning......
Woke up at about 5:00am with a sinus headache, of course. Benedryl and three more hours sleep and I'm ok to go. Just nagging a bit. Fiddled around drinking coffee, then went out to mail bills before heading out at 10:45am for BART.
I drove dad, Viv and myself to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. This was dad's first time on BART, so it is already and adventure. We got our tickets and got on at about 12:30pm and arrived at SFO at about 2:00pm.
We had to walk a bit from the BART to the American Airlines counter, but we made it ok. It was nice because we are SO early and the place isn't crowded yet. We were both so worried about the sizes of our suitcases and the weight, but my suitcase was 32 lbs. and dad's was 27 lbs. They allow 70 lbs each so we are saving them room and weight. No worriies. (Already sounding like Crocodile Dundee!) |
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I wrote that last bit while dad and I were eating something. You'll hear more of that later. We hadn't gone through security yet, just checked our bags and got our boarding passes at the counter. I was feeling bad about dad because he is so used to eating good home-cooked meals at regular times. He isn't used to eating on the run when you can catch something. That was something I didn't think about before we planned the trip. It was gonna be rough and I was thinking he would REALLY appreciate Vivian by the time we got back. Not that he doesn't already, but I think it would remind him how much she cares for him and how much he cares for her. (ok...no more mushy stuff.....) |
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