Security, Karma and Showers...

I have arrived safely in Sydney, just waiting for my flight to Melbourne and making use of free WIFI where I can find it.

I have no idea how parents with kids ever make that flight! I felt bad for the three screaming kids who didn't get much sleep on the flight, and I know their parents didn't either! Even with every Nicole Kidman movie ever made on the personal entertainment system, 14 hours is a crazy long time to be on a plane...

I am exhausted, smelly, and trying to be excited about what is to come and not just wishing for a bed and a shower. Yet in the midst of multiple security checks and terminal transfers I did have a couple of great experiences on the journey...

First, Pete the Delta check-in guy in Regina worked really hard to get my seats reserved all the way through, including an aisle seat for the 14 hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney. When he checked me in, I had a row of three seats to myself, however when I got to LA there were two of us sharing the row, but still way nicer than being crammed in three across. So thanks Pete.

Then on the flight from Minneapolis to Los Angeles I sat beside Leah, and she was super nice when I realized I had left my softshell jacket in the airport in Minneapolis -- I was thinking "oh great, not a good way to start this crazy five airport journey of mine..." Anyway she was very supportive and as we were leaving the airplane she gave me $20 to buy my supper because I was a minister and her minister is one of her favourite people...so Leah thanks for supper, I wish you much good karma and I will pay it forward.

Here's hoping and praying that Pete and Leah were only the first of many great people I cross paths with on this journey!

Excitement is starting to build...

Okay WOW, this is really, real, I fly to Australia tomorrow. I think it has finally sunk in... people have been asking me if I was excited and to be honest until now that wouldn't have been the word I would use. Too many things going through my mind, and too much to do before I left, I had lists of my lists, so it just felt like work more than anything. Now, however, the excitement is starting to build!

I can't really give you an itinerary since I am relying on my Australian friends to lead the way...I am in Melbourne area, and Victoria for part of the time and then will journey to Brisbane area in May.

Tomorrow will be a long day or days as I will be in 5 different airports, but I have my ipod and Kobo ereader to keep me company...I'll let you know how it goes...

Off to the Land of Oz

Well, as the song says 'my bags are packed and I'm ready to go...", well almost! Deciding which suitcase and carry-on to use shouldn't be this complicated, should it? Probably just means I have too many backpacks and suitcases to start with.

I am excited about my journey to Australia, looking forward to experiencing many new things and meeting new people. I arrive in Melbourne on April 1st - "Happy April Fool's Day Australia". The flights combined are about 26 hours and I lose a day in the process, hopefully I can sleep on the plane!

As my journey continues I will post pictures and reflections here - I am going to try for once a week depending on whether I can find WIFI spots.

I will post again soon...