Beattys Overseas

So I'm a little overwhelmed with all the details that have to be ironed out before we leave.  Naturally, John sees them as minor and easy to handle, but I'm a woman and I'm very good at worrying, so worrying is what I'm doing. 

I've already created a packing list for the trip, but I'm worried I'm packing too much, or maybe too little!  Clothes-wise, I've split my wardrobe items into two parts for the two hemispheres.  An entire suitcase will be used in Europe during the Autumn.  A totally separate suitcase (perhaps smaller) will contain items for summery months the remainder of the trip (bathing suits and flip flops take up much less space than coats and boots).  A few items will carry over to the summer months, but all the wintry clothes will be sent back to the States upon our departure from Europe.  We plan to bring sufficient technology to keep you - our dear travelogue reader - entertained and informed of our travels.  Such items include our laptop and its cables & cords, a digital camera and its charger & USB, a webcam & headset for Skype internet phoning, our international phones & their chargers, and a set of power adapters and a voltage converter.  Those items alone may take up an entire suitcase, so I'll have to do some strategic packing (while watching the weight on the case, as to not be slammed with fees by airlines).  Nevermind the travel hairdryer I'm eyeing...

We are settling up piles of the paperwork that go along with a trip like this, as it takes quite an amount of effort to plan to be away from your 'normal life' for 5 months.  Canceling mail, re-routing parcels, paperless banking, finalizing wills (just in case), vaccines and obtaining travel insurance is keeping us very busy in these final days in the U.S.A.  All this, of course, will be well worth it when we are relaxing at a bistro drinking wine and eating soft cheeses in France, or lounging on the beach in New Zealand, or seeing those crazy big old turtles on the Galapagos Islands.  Ahhh, I can't wait!!!!

After a few major renovations to our itinerary, today was the day that we finally made the jump into purchasing our tickets.  A large investment, the purchase marks the true reality of the trip...  We had waited quite a while to buy our itinerary, as we had so many schedule changes, mainly in regards to our departure date (which is now finally set as Tuesday October 23rd!).  We're using the American Airlines OneWorld travel program, which hooks up travelers with all their international partner airlines for RTW (around the world) trips like ours.  For us, it was easier than buying a bunch of separate one-way tickets (which would have cost a fortune). 

We have 19 flight segments in this trip, which the airline deems as one trip.  However, their computer systems can't process trips over 16 segments with E-tickets.  So, our tickets are paper tickets, handwritten by an American Airlines agent!  Handwritten!  It seems so archaic and unofficial, but we're assured that it's the only way to do it.  And, with paper tickets, you're responsible to hold onto them like gold, so they'll likely be tucked in our undies for 5 months.  And, yes, we're flying Business Class.  We're verrrrry excited about this, as some of our flights are 10, 11, and 12 hours long, and the benefits provided to passengers up in the front will help to keep these two passengers very happy and comfortable. 

Today I did a thing I never thought I'd do.  I bought myself a pair of SHANTS.  Let me explain... In all my packing lists and laying out clothing on the bed, trying to put a variety of outfits together with just 12 items of clothing, I see that I need a pair of lightweight, light-colored pants for our Southern Hemisphere travels.  We'll be doing a safari and lots of hiking, so I knew that a pair of heavy cotton chinos would be a bad idea, since they'd be too warm and take forever to dry if it rains or when we handwash our clothes.  So, I need some hiking pants.  They don't sell those at Bloomingdale's, so I had to drag myself into a sporting goods store. 

I was horrified to find that the pair that fit me best are these Shants.  Shants are shorts/pants.  Yep, the ones with the zipper on the thigh that converts the pants into shorts.  Dorky, I know.  I've rolled my eyes many a time when I've seen a tourist wearing these, or when they were briefly popular with the Gap a few summers ago.  Now, here I am, Hypocrite, buying the item of clothing that I've resented for so long.  "They're very practical," I thought, as I peered at myself in the dressing room mirror.  "And, I get to pack another pair of shorts, without actually having to pack anything else," I mused.  But, my Fashionista-wanna-be self interrupted with "How could you do this?  You're that dorky tourist.  How embarrassing."   All in all, I thought I'd be upfront with you, dear readers, that I will be sporting some Shants in the next 5 months.  Some photos of me wearing the Shants may even appear on this Travel Journal.  If you spot me wearing them, just remember that I am very well aware of the fact that I look like a dorky tourist.  But, in the end, I suppose, I am a tourist.  And, just a little dorky.   

Packing, settling all 'business issues,' saying goodbye to those who will [presumably] miss us for the next 5 months... 

Our 'Bon Voyage' cake from Aunt RoseWe're running around like decapitated chickens.  But, it will all be a distant memory when, tomorrow morning around 8:30, we will each have a mimosa in our comfy American Airlines seats flying over the Atlantic.  London is our first stop, and we should be online within a day or so.  Expect another posting soon!  Thank you to everyone for your well wishes and enthusiasm, we are very grateful to have such wonderful friends and family in our life....  Ciao!

Oh my goodness, what an adventure it was to leave New York City... Upon checking into the Business/ First Class desk at JFK, we notice a familiar face. Cameron Diaz and her posse are checking in as well, and we end up tailing them through the Security Gates and into the Admiral’s Club lounge. We check into the desk, where I’m handed my complimentary cappuccino coupon, and start following John into the Club. It should be noted that we are still, at this point, following the Diaz party. Her crew walks in past the second desk, as one of her people hands the attendant a small credit card thingy. John blasts past the desk and walks into the club with Cameron’s girls, looking like he’s part of their group. I’m holding our passports and boarding passes, which I hand to the attendant, and she asks for my V-chip card. Uh, what V-chip card? I walk out to their first lobby and ask the woman who initially checked me in about the V-chip card, and she informs me that is for the First Class –only lounge. Oh boy. So, I walk back into the lobby of the FC lounge and tell the attendant that my husband is in there, and I’m just going in to get him. She raises her voice and tells me that I am not allowed to go in there without my V-chip card, and out of nowhere another attendant appears at my side to escort me into the Business Class lounge, which is down a long hallway. It seemed like they thought I was trying to stalk the movie star, so they treated me a bit rudely. Mind you, I have both of our passports & boarding passes, so I know John can’t go anywhere without me, so I’m not worried,but, I’m miffed: The first day of our worldwide trip, and he already ditched me.

When he finally found me sitting in the Business Class lounge, [after he spent 20 minutes reading the paper and enjoying a raspberry croissant with the Cameron Diaz people] he looks around and says, ''Ugh, it's like Grand Central Terminal in here. You should see it in there - it's really lovely.'' I wanted to punch him.

Leaving our apartment (spic and span, I might mention) was a stressful first hour of the morning. Car service came at 5:45am, and off we went to JFK. Amidst the chaos of unloading the car and getting the airport, it slipped my mind to have someone take a hamish photo. :(

Each of us is checking a super-big suitcase and a small carry-on size case. I also have the backpack with our computer, and John has a garment bag with non-wrinkleables. We looked like Sherpas. I know we’re supposed to pack light. Everyone says 'pack light.' Funnily enough, I thought I was packing light! Two pairs of shoes, minimal clothing, no hairdryer: so why are my bags so heavy!?!?! What’s taking up the most space, actually, is our toiletries, especially the humungous containers of DEET inspect repellent (35% DEET), 70+ sunscreen, malaria pills, Cipro pills, and a similarly bulky items that seem to take up a ton of space in our bags.

After the Diaz Incident (see previous post), we are boarding AA#142, and I'm really excited. This was my first Business Class flight, and I'll admit I was a bit giddy about that. We settled into our seats with a fullsize pillow, and a big cozy cotton quilt, and I already felt holier than thou... forget about it when we were offered orange juice and champagne while the Economy folks were still boarding - I was suddenly a snob in snobby heaven.
Champagne for everyone!

Soon into the flight, John made pals with our flight attendant, Pat, and told her that we were on the first leg of our around the world trip. She was so excited for us, and treated us like royalty the rest of the flight. The champagne was flowing, the meals hot and delicious, and Pat's generosity made for the most delightful air travel experience I've ever encountered.
Our new friend Pat Pat gave us a small medallion of Our Lady of Lareto, the patroness of aviators and travellers, to keep with us during all our flights, which was enormously sweet. She even agreed to take a photo with us, and promised she'd check this site (So, Hello Pat!).

When we landed in London, our Business Class ticket gave us expedited service at the customs line, as well as priority baggage delivery. And the Fords arranged for a car service to fetch us from Heathrow.

All in all, it was a civilized day in the friendly skies; a great way to kick off our trip.