It's a looooooong way to Dallas is all I have to say.....We flew from Brisbane to Sydney at 9.45am on Friday morning, 2 September. Then, the flight to Dallas boarded, ready for 1.25pm departure. Then the pilot apologised, someone in the cockpit had a seat belt 'drama'.... The engineer was called and had to re-fit a new seatbelt. We waited.... and departed at 2pm. At least the a/c was working!
The flight took just under 15 hrs. I was impressed with the flight crew and their constant service - we had 2 meals and in-between they brought around snacks - ice-creams, mini-pizzas and lots of water. David and I coped really well - until the last 30 minutes flying down into Texas. It was above 40 degrees celsius on the ground, so the updraft of hot air made for some interesting pockets of turbulence.... I said 'turbulence'.... In that time I went from feeling really well, to trying to locate my sick bag.... unbelievable! Just as well I'd declined the offer of red wines during the flight.... Thank goodness for the power of the mind... and my new-found ability to chant.... - 'I am ok'... 'I am ok'... 'I am ok'... Said sick bag stayed in the seat, but I had my hand on it. In fact, the very thought of it now is making me feel sick....
Quick! New topic!
The lovely: Dallas!
We were welcomed to Texas by a very cheerful airport representative as we exited the plane. At Customs & Immigration we were interviewed by an officer of obvious Hispanic descent, who became very interested in our reason for travel. When I told him we were touring and also to practise our spanish, he hospitably changed to speaking spanish..... rather quickly....... I had to work hard to keep up with him as he directed me through the fingerprints process and photo taking giving all directions in spanish! Whew!
Had to ask the 'Welcome Ambassadors' for help to find the hotel van pick-up point. Had seen the story of these retirees on History channel - they volunteer to help visitors find their way around airports. When Peter realised we were Australian and I said I knew all about his group from watching tv, he told me that they had originally gotten the idea from someone who visited Sydney, and was impressed with their similar service to visitors at the airport and in the downtown area (I think he must have been referring to the Sydney Olympics because he also proudly showed me his '10 years of Service' badge). Nice!
Our courtesy van was called by another volunteer, Mary, and so we waited, they arrived and we travelled the 2 miles to our Hyatt Place hotel in Grapevine. (Gotta love low season prices, hey?) It was about 4pm when we checked in - damn hot! 40 degress celsius outside. Walked across the road to the outlet mall to buy a pre-paid mobile phone and ended up eating dinner at 'Cozymel's Mexican' before retiring to our air-conditioned room and bed!
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