Day 1 - LA WE HAVE ARRIVED!





MICHELLE:

The 12 hour flight was a little cramped and we all got some sleep...but not alot.   I was seated next to Greg from Antarctica on his way to Fresno.  He has been on the ice from October last year and works as a telecommunications specialist.  It was fascinating listening to his stories about life on the ice, growing up in New York, school life for him and what inspired him to get into telecommunications.

With very little sleep we arrived round midday and after finding our rental car we headed to our hotel where we settled into our rooms and had a quick swim before dinner.  Before we left for dinner, we made our way downstairs in the hotel for 'happy hour' where we got to meet a few of the patrons and get a bit of a feel for the place.  People here are very friendly...maybe a tipping system helps!

We decided on a little sight seeing and ventured out to the Santa Monica Pier for dinner at Bubba Gumps - delicious!  After dinner and a walk along the pier we headed to the Hollywood walk of fame where we got to see the stars.  Not quite what we imagined, could have been Queens street in Auckland only with stars on the footpath.  There were homeless people and a bit of rubbish about - so for an iconic sight, it wasn't all its hyped up to be in the magazines!

We're excited to be here, inspired by the change in scenery and culture and can't wait to get started.

MARY:

Feeling blessed to be here.  The airport was bland and unwelcoming...not that the people were unfriendly, but they weren't helpful either.  Santa Monica Pier and dinner at Bubba Gumps was an experience.  We did pass homeless people begging for weed.  It's legal here.  LA isn't all that we thought it would be - TV displays it differently to reality.  Everything is BIG and on a large scale (their small is our large in NZ!). 
Cars, cars, cars everywhere and everyone drives so fast and NO accidents.  

My wonderings since entering this place are: What are the real draw cards?  What is the identity of LA? (Our perceptions are lifestyles of the rich and famous...versus the reality?).  If I was a child, would I want to live here?

NARDI:

Good flight Akld to LA.  No complaints.  LAX was a little on the quiet side.  I have been here when the place is manic, stress levels are high and lines seem to go on forever.  But today although there were still lots of people, lines were moving, bags came out problem free and out we walked.

I was very conscious my two colleagues had never travelled to the USA before so a sense of responsibility to lead and guide us through the logistics of exiting LAX smoothly, getting our rental car and arriving safely at our accomodation kicked in.  After all I am in charge of logistics and organisation! 

There are many theories out there about combating jet lag and getting yourself onto local time as soon as possible.  From experience what has worked for me after a long flight is getting out for some fresh air and getting the body moving again.  It didn't take much convincing to the other two as the adrenalin was pumping with excitement.  A trip to Santa Moncia Pier for dinner and a stroll along Hollywood Boulevard was in order.

I still have to contact some of our interviewees to confirm times and location, send a message of encouragement to my Acting Principal, check in with one teacher who's mum is poorly and another who has been off from school sick for the last three weeks of Term 1.   BUT for now, a shower, a decent coffee and some fresh air are all I can think of.  















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