Friday, Feb. 23

I woke up and the first thing I did was check the baggage update webpage again – thank goodness! They said it would be delivered between 7 am and 11 am. It was 7 am now. I showered and decided that instead of sulking in my room, waiting for the bag/call to come, I’d go for a walk and grab some breakfast. People in L.A. are super friendly! I got a free coffee at Starbucks, and lots of smiles.

Walking around downtown is super weird, because there are deep, intense cold shadows, under the freeway and next to buildings, where the sun never shines, and then you step into the California sun, and it is so bright and blinding.

After about an hour, I headed back to the hotel. Just before 11, the hotel front desk called me that my bag showed up. YAY!!!! I was so happy, I ran down the hotel hallway to the elevator to pick it up. Then, I got to brush my teeth – with toothpaste! And, clean socks!! The relief was incredible.

I finished freshening up and then headed out to take on L.A. My first stop was the Central Library – an absolutely massive structure. There’s a main floor “popular” books section, which contains both fiction and non, and resembles a bookstore more than a library. As well, subjects like Science and History have their own floors. There are huge special sections for teens and adults – I have never seen such a big place.

As continued walking around downtown, I was struck by the oddity of L.A. – scenes like this palm tree next to a skyscraper. Beautiful, but maybe just a little bit fake.
he next thing that made an impact on me was Grand Central Market. It reminded me of something from Vancouver – fresh fruits, strange trinkets, ethnic foods – but the “ethnic” here was Mexican, not Oriental. Very cool, but a little overwhelming. Lots of people in a small place.

After walking around more, I ended up in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Again, odd. Beautiful, and serene, and filled me with a sense of peace I wouldn’t expect in the middle of a big, busy city. But, like the palm tree, it was almost out of place. The huge cathedral was surrounded by even larger grounds, which were fenced in with huge courtyard fences, and patrolled by security guards, as seen here.

After lots of walking – I am relaxing in my hotel room this evening. I have another big day tomorrow!

Thursday, Feb. 22

I left for the Retrovirus conference in L.A. today. I am always a little nervous passing through customs, but I am pleased to say that it went off without a hitch. I was lucky enough to be randomly chosen for the airport screening thorough search. The girl asked me if I preferred it to be conducted in a private room, but I said no – I figured that this way there was a better chance of my keeping my clothes on for it. I heard a great story recently in the Lancet about a man who had a medical implement in his rectum, and airport security made him remove it before he flew. I don’t have anything like that to hide, but I can’t say the idea of strip searches doesn’t fill me with terror. Anyway, the search went quickly and painlessly, and I remained fully clothed.

My flight out of Winnipeg was aboard this tiny, four seats across plane. I was sitting next to a rather large person, so I jumped at the chance when the flight attendant told the passengers that we were off balance, and would not be able to take off unless some passengers moved from the front to the back. What, give up being squashed next to someone for the opportunity to have my own aisle? I must admit, though, the thought of the aircraft being off balance is a little weird. Again, it was a tiny plane.

My flight out of Denver was uneventful, but my suitcase was a long time coming. After waiting what seemed like forever after the bags stopped coming down the chutes, I put on my friendliest, most patient face and went to the baggage troubles desk. I found out (as I suspected) that my bag was not as speedy as me, and would be coming in on the next flight, which at this point, was only 45 minutes away. The lady offered to have it sent to me, but I decided I’d rather wait. It’s flush in rush hour right now, so this way the bus to the hotel will probably be quicker, and besides, I figured it would be more satisfying to actually have my bag in my hot little hands.

So, instead, I walked one terminal over to the coffee shop, and spent $8.95 US on a ham and swiss sandwich. It was good, don’t get me wrong, but talk about airport gauging. They’re the only place to buy food on this side of security, and boy does the price reflect it. Not that eateries on the other side of security have cheaper food.

I went again for the baggage to come onto the carousel, and again, by suitcase did not come. Again, I went to the baggage lady. Apparently my bag should have come on that flight – but it didn’t. And she didn’t know where it was. Or when it would be coming. ARG! I went back to the hotel, bagless.

My hotel is amazing. The lobby has this big fountain in it, and the whole this is from another era. Fifties, I’d guess. Everything is tropical and opulent. My room is no exception. I think it is larger than my apartment.

They have me a website where I could check for bag updates, and when I checked they said they had been unable to locate it – but it was a high priority. Ack! Totally freaking out. I’m here for nine nights. What if it never comes? Visions of having to buy clothes and toiletries and loosing my laptop and cell phone charger danced through my head as attempted sleep.