Day 1: Leaving LAX

A near disaster before I even leave ground almost took place! I took Lyft from home to the airport...it took only 15 minutes. I was planning to go plenty early so I could visit the American Airlines Admiral Lounge (another explanation later). When the driver of the car was dropping me off outside of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, I checked to be sure my cell phone was in my pocket...it was. I got out of the car, he gave me my baggage, and I started to enter the terminal when I checked my pocket again...the cell phone was not there!! I had not even entered the building yet, but my cell phone was gone...and so was the driver! I was pretty certain that it had just dropped out of my pocket when I was departing the back seat of the car, so I believed it was still there!

The first thing I wanted to do was call the driver, but I did not have my cell phone, so I did not have his name or number. And I don't have even have any phone numbers or names to call Lyft. I went inside the terminal and asked people at a couple counters where I could find a pay phone so I could call Lyft, but I was told there aren't any pay phones in this building. As I was thinking ahead, I also realized that without my cell phone, I could not travel because my boarding pass and all other info with the tour company and the airline was on my cell phone.

I went to another counter and they said to go to the Info Counter...that they could help me! I went there and they actually did say they could do a couple things to help me! First, they called my cell phone a couple times. We thought the driver would hear and answer it. But we did not get a response. Then, the two people at the Info Counter called Lyft and told them to call the driver who had taken me to the airport and tell him about the cell phone. They were able to do so right away and talk with the driver....he said he was not too far out of LAX, so he would return and meet me at the same spot outside where he had dropped me off! He was there in 20 minutes and returned my cell phone! I gave him a big tip! At this point, time was only off by about 30 minutes, and I had arrived so early that everything was still on schedule! What a miracle that made me believe all in 30 minutes that I was on my adventure for one month...that all of it had collapsed and I would not be traveling to new countries...and everything was back on line. I feel so very, very fortunate!!!

Another interesting point...my boarding pass for AA Flight 135 said to enter at Terminal B, the Tom Bradley International Terminal, so the driver did droped me off there. However, American Airlines does not have a counter in Terminal B since they already have two terminals--Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 at LAX--in their use. So I was told to walk down to Terminal 4 to check-in and drop off my luggage for American Airlines, then walk back to Terminal B. It all took extra time, but I still was ready to go in and relax at the AA lounge. However, AA does not have a lounge in Terminal B, even though their many international flights do depart from Terminal B. How did I know this? I walked all the way from the south end of Terminal B to the north end of Terminal B to find the lounge, but it was not there. I called American on my cell phone and they informed me that they have their lounge in Terminal 4 and that I would have to walk back there. By now, it was about time to enter the aircraft....at least I did know that I was stilll on my adventure to visit some new countries. So despite what had happened today, my adventure was still on!

I have been using my airline credit cards for a couple airlines (American and United) for 30+ years, so now I finally had enough points added-up to make this journey FREE and in Business Class! What a luxury...the seat was so spatious and comfortable! Our flight was only 10 hours, but since we departed at 6 pm, we had a nice treat (warmed nuts and a beverage), then a great dinner. This took a couple hours. Then, I slept for next portion of the flight. I did not even turn on my TV or listen to any music. This time went so incredibly fast!  The flight was 10 hours, then add the 8 hours time difference, so I left at 6:15 pm on Tuesday from Los Angeles, and arrived at 12:15 pm in Heathrow International Airport, London, England on Wednesday! My journey was under way!

The journey begins in London, England. We then proceed west through Southern England before crossing into Wales. The religion of England and Wales is Protestantism and the currency is the pound sterling.

We then take a boat west to enter Ireland. Ireland is a very independent nation where the main religion is Roman Catholicism. Their currency in Ireland is the EuroDollar. We travel through Ireland, including their capital city of Dublin.

We proceed north crossing into Northern Ireland, an important part of the United Kingdom where the primary religion is Protestantism and their currency is that of the United Kingdom which is the pound sterling.

We then travel by boat east to the Island of Great Britain (which is the countries of England, Wales and Scotland) back into England before proceeding north to Scotland. The religion in Scotland is Protestantism and their currency is the pound sterling.

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