Body Check and The Incredible Hulk

Tick one for something I have never experienced before – full body scan!  Yes that right folks I have had the pleasure being scanned head to toe while strangers who I will never see again, have intimate knowledge of my body – ok so I am exaggerating  - in reality they didn’t really care, they seemed to be deep in heated conversation about events of the day gone by.  It happened before I realised what was going on – in airports I often feel like a sheep being herded through gates – like lambs to the slaughter so to speak.

After emptying pockets, taking off jackets and shoes, I found myself with my legs shoulder width apart, arms up above my head, staring at a dot on the wall – and all I was thinking was how sorry I felt for the person starring at my body.  I looked over to the lady with a pathetic apologetic look on my face.  Then just like that it was over - I walked away laughing and shaking my head at the events that had just transpired.  Ah the joys of traveling!

 Ok, so this is not me - obviously – but I didn’t want to whip out my camera and ask them to take a photo – you get the idea though!

LAX – arrive 6.30am due to leave @ 8.30am – delayed until 9.45am – apparently there are thunderstorms in and around Chicago.  I figure that even if I get into Chicago I may have trouble getting out.  I then have a connecting flight to my final destination of Raleigh NC.  It has been 14 hours and counting.  So what is my next move you ask?  Mexican for dinner (I mean breakfast) – so weird!

Finally made it onto my flight from LA to Chicago where I saw my first ‘star’ or maybe he is a B grade celebrity – you will never believe who it was, I saw The Incredible Hulk!  Lou Ferrigno and let me tell you he is still built like the Hulk.  His arm was the size of a 3yr old child, and I first noticed it was him when we were told our flight had been delayed – I swear he was going to turn green and rip his clothes off.  I wanted to yell to the check in lady “Don’t make him angry, you won’t like him when he’s angry”, but I think she was onto that one.

As our 3-hour flight began I kind of wished that The Incredible Hulk had been sitting in a row near me because I had one on the worst flights ever! I had the pleasure of having a family of 4 sitting behind me.  Parents and 2 young boys named Griffin and Riley.  Now you are probably wondering how I know their names – well the mother in one of the loudest, quietest voices kept trying to calm Riley down as he screamed at the top of his lungs for about 80% of the trip, while she sang songs about how great Griffin was over and over again (she also sung the ABC song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Let’s Go Out to the Ball Game).  All the while the husband sat there sleeping – I wanted to know how he did it because I couldn’t get any sleep.  Was pretty sure I was going to turn green and rip someone’s head off – I was so close to channelling the Incredible Hulk!

Now I am sitting in another airport lounge with another delayed flight – 5.35pm has turned into 6.50pm – have to go and find out how I can call VIF to let them know the plane is going to be delayed.  It has now been 18hrs and still counting.  More delays – roll on 7.24pm – I love how it is really exact.  8.00pm – arrival 10.50pm.  Aaaarrrrgggghhh!

It is now midnight and I am sitting in The Shereton Imperial Hotel in Raleigh North Carolina – that is it, I am here - the adventure is to continue.  It will be full on and I hope to start school on Thursday, I have a ‘day off tomorrow’ so it will be sleep, sitting by the pool, sleep, maybe some shopping and a little more sleep.

It is now real and I am here – is there a word for scared, nervous and excited – no, well that’s what I am feeling.  Here we go…