"...If it clicks and the Air Marshall looks at me funny..."

So, today was the day I finaly spent some of that hard earned cash. I say eared, we all know I suck upon the teet of the great British benefit system. This money is supposed to be used for my travel requirements so essentially its being used as intended. Otherwise I'd be swimming to America. The plan was to catch a bus into town, change, catch another and end up at my Mum's proud I had achieved the status of "Bus traveler". However, the great British summer had other ideas: Rain and lots of it. My mother came and collected me rather than me getting soaked like a drowned rat. Which was nice. As it stands she's still unconvinced I can catch a plane and change, so I'm sure the 'Bus Challenge' will come another day. Oh well, something to look forward to.
We walked into the travel agent clutching with whitened knuckles, my 'adventure file' and brown envelopes of cash. I'd never booked a flight before, so this was all new. The operation was pretty painless until I handed over all my cash. Oh the agony. All I got for all that money was a slip of paper and a smile with a promise my tickets will arrive at some point before I'm due to leave the country. I got assisted passage. This will make it easier for me to move between the terminals and connections. Also booking a left isle seat, in case I need to stretch my leg. Although I'm sure within 2 mins of sitting down, the 'walking iron' will be removed. It makes a loud click and a metal scrape when I do this, or put it on for that matter so I'm just hoping this noise isnt misconstrued for something my sinister. I'd actually like to leave the country before I'm arrested. This aside, I have now purchased my flights. I arrive in Albany NY, after changing at JFK on November 22nd at 20:30 and leave from Albany on the 4th December around Midday. With the flights booked, tickets on their way, the fun parts of the adventure can now be put together.
It was a very exciting day and one more step towards my trip. Still much to do but the big thing is out of the way and its now sinking in that I AM actually going to be in New York for Thanksgiving and beyond. All I can ask is, when Sam picks me up at the air port, she does not need a card with my name on it, just hold up a cigarette and a lighter, I'll be the one that snatches it from your hand and puffs like an industrial chimney.

Getting Ready

Well, Its August and the money is practically saved. A plan of action created and a to do list drawn up. Hopefully this Thursday I'm off to buy the plane tickets. Its all coming together, after nearly a year of saving and excited expectation, I can, at last, see progress towards leaving the shores of these fair isles and venturing forth to the New World. Ill be staying with my friend Sam, who has claimed she is reinforcing the locks to her doors to keep 'the English out..again', so I may be sleeping on her porch. I'll pack an extra coat. A few other friends have shown interest in meeting up while I'm on my adventure. I hope I do manage to see them. My hopes are high and spirits good.