Goodbye Chicago....

I'm sitting in LAX waiting for my next plane which will take me to Brisbane.
I've munched some tortilla chips and had some soup in an airport restaurant, mindful that I will probably be fed on the next flight.
Barrie, Pam and I spent much of the journey to O'Hare in quiet - with little flurries of conversation. What was there to say? The tears were close to the surface for me...these are dear friends...and the words that really wanted to be spoken wouldn't surmount the lump in my throat. I think they understood though. Kindred spirits do.
The miles disappeared, the I90 was clear and the airport arrived too soon.
A quick goodbye, tears and hankies - and then a big laugh...humour spotted even in the midst of this! How I will miss them!

Check in done (love my new suitcases!!)...
security entered...
scanned - check
swabbed - check
patted down - check
...and no man's land here I come....
...straight to the nearest Starbucks!

I love America!!

Now, 13.5 hours in the plane. My kindle is loaded...my headphones are at the ready...flight socks unrolled and waiting...all the little things that I love to have handy are syphoned off into a 'sub-bag' ready for under the seat...overhead locker awaits my other cabin bag... I'm good to go!

Will update when I get down under...