Travel Troubles

Generally, I like to consider myself a fairly capable traveller. Several times, I have been commended for my packing ability - especially when I am trying to bring a bag small enough for carry on. An excellent example of this would be my recent break trip (I don't know which break it was as no one can seem to agree...spring break for those in the States, technically mid-semester break for us though it fell no where near the middle of the semester, and occasionally fall break.) for which I packed 9+ days worth of clothes in a bag that fit snugly above my seat on the plane back to Sydney. I am the trip planner of choice for many and have travelled by myself multiple times both home from DC and to visit friends. This trip, however, has proven that I am not infallible when it comes to travel.

In an earlier entry, I mentioned a prolonged phone call with STA while in Los Angeles. So, to illustrate that I too make travel mistakes, here's the whole story. I booked my round trip tickets from LA to Sydney through STA travel as they had the cheapest flights I had come across. I had all of the information sent to my home address in Pennsylvania; while home over winter break, I looked over what they had sent to see if I needed any of it/if my tickets were included. I concluded that it was only the receipt and that there was no reason to bring this with me. Upon my arrival in LA, I discovered that some of those "receipts" were actually my ticket and that Qantas couldn't issue me new ones as they were not electronic. Thus commenced my hour and a half plus call to STA; first, they offered a flight the next day (no way), a flight a few hours later (nope, what if my arranged pick-up wasn't there), or a flight through Honolulu (tempting, but no thanks). In the end, I got new tickets on the same flights, but had to pay an additional $200. Excruciating? Yes, especially when you've been up for more than 24 hours.

Now, I admit I was stupid for not at least bringing the documentation with me. I still have trouble with some of STA's policies, however. First, I booked the tickets online; I asked the agent who fixed my problem if there is an option for electronic tickets when booking online. The answer? No. What?! You mean I can't have my tickets issued in the same way I purchase them? Seriously? Clearly, STA has an antiquated system that needs to be updated. Come on - this isn't the '90s anymore!

Oops number two, though less troublesome, was equally embarrassing. My only defense (if I have one at all) is that it was my first time travelling by train. Yup, that's the best I can do to absolve myself. Anyway, in order to get to Brisbane for my break trip, I opted to take the overnight train - all 14 hours of it - as it was the least expensive option. The itinerary/ticket was e-mailed to me, and the instructions were to print it out and bring it with me. I get a limited number of print credits through the study abroad office, so I went there to print it out. I couldn't get the option to print the selected text (it's been a long time since I've dealt extensively with Macs), so it was printing all of the frames of the Hotmail e-mail. Looking at the itinerary, it looked like the same information was repeated on the 2nd page, so I just printed out the 1st. Little did I know that my car and seat number were printed on that elusive 2nd page.

After arriving at the train station, I realized I had no idea if seats were assigned and that I had no seat number if they were. Being fairly unshakable, I decided I'd figure it out if I needed to, went to the furthest forward economy car, and took a seat. In my brief time in the wrong seat, I encountered a mother with her 5 children whose seat I had taken. In the end, I asked someone with a passenger log and found my assigned seat (in the same car and still a window).

Sigh. I guess this will keep me from getting cocky anytime in the near future, huh?

Finally, in somewhat related information - domestic travel in Australia is incredibly easy. I flew back to Sydney from Cairns; at the airport, I never once showed my ID or boarding pass to security. In fact, I never showed my ID to anyone. My shoes stayed firmly on my feet and liquids well over 3 ounces were brought on the plane with me (not contained in their very own plastic bag). I'd forgotten how nice it was to have quick security that doesn't require you to put every item you are carrying-on into a separate plastic tray and hope that your nail clippers aren't too pointy or that your deodorant is 3.0002 ounces and thus must be left behind.

T-Minus 2 Weeks

I have about two weeks left in the States and as my departure date looms I'm getting more and more ready to go.

3 = the number of different places I have lived thus far in DC
3 = the number of days until my parents and sister come to visit
1 = the number of places I have left to stay
2:3 = the ratio of futons to beds I have slept in
15 = the number of days I have worked...in a row
4 (+2 still to be done) = the number of times I have packed/repacked my bags for Sydney

Luckily, even though I have been dragging my life around with me in 3 suitcases for 3+ weeks now, I definitely made the right decision in coming back to DC. I feel like I'm going to be really prepared for Sydney without applications and other things like that (i.e. taxes) to worry about. Now to stop myself from starting a countdown...

And the Countdown Begins...

After spending more money than I care to admit to, I am now the proud owner of a roundtrip ticket to Sydney from LAX and a one-way trip from DC to LA (I'll deal with the return LA to Pittsburgh flight later). It only takes me two days and approximately 24 hours on a plane to get there. I am now approximately 1,001 times more excited than I was before Thanksgiving, at least in part because it really is real now.

Exciting Things:

1. I get two 70 lb bags for the flight to Sydney, so I can overpack to my hearts desire.
2. I'm this close to having housing figured out for January-February. I'll be a bit of a wandering hobo, but at least I won't be homeless and living in the library (and yes, I did consider it).
3. I received the full UNSW tuition scholarship, so now I only have to pay most of my Georgetown tuition in order to go abroad.

February 23rd is not coming fast enough...

PS - Anyone with Skype needs to tell me/add me, and anyone who desires a postcard needs to send me an address.