Say goodbye to Tuesday

So as per usual, I got hassled at security and customs at the airport. One of these days, I will hack my way into the international airport security system and delete whatever scathing report they have on gingers, Mitchells… or just me. The security guard was firm yet gentle, but the customs official thought I looked the type to be smuggling in some contaminated food specimens into the U.S. “Where are you going?” New Zealand. “What are you doing there?” Travelling around. “Know anyone there?” Yes I’ll be visiting a couple of friends. “A friend eh? And you say you don’t have any food on you?” noooo…. “Well don’t you think that’s a little strange? That your friend wouldn’t ask you to bring anything for you?” I guess I’m a thoughtless jerk and didn’t ask. “You know, they don’t have ketchup down there. I just think it’s weird that she didn’t ask for ketchup…” Can I go now?

(They do have it. moron.)

In most people’s views, a seven hour layover anywhere, no matter how exciting the final destination, is not the desired travel experience. Not so when you have a friend in LA who is more than willing to pick you up and drive you out to Venice Beach for the afternoon, which I just so happen to have. Done. Wildlife excursion included. We went for a walk along the beach and came to the world’s largest pleasure craft marina (glad to check that one off the bucketlist) and along one of the piers were several large tripeds. See!

Naturally we broke into the area they were docked, well I climbed the fence and opened the gate for Andrea and snuck up close. This close! I wanted to ride one. Andrea said that was a bad idea. Being the older, wiser one of the two of us I heeded the advice. Either way it was cool to see seals on my afternoon and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with a great friend who I do not see as often as I wished…..