Notes written in Heathrow

Notes:

20-21 May

Slight problems at LAX: Manage to run off with my mother's keys. Other than that, fine.

Tried to match GMT time in terms of sleep on plane. Slept for first most of it, then woke up at about 8am GMT or midnight GMT -8. Urgh. Watched movies Sherlock Holmes and then most of Ninja Assassin.

Got to Heathrow, managed to go to the wrong terminal - I assumed that since my flights were booked with Virgin Atlantic, and I had flown on a Virgin Atlantic flight, that I should go to Terminal 3, where Virgin Atlantic flies. After the security check, I was informed that my fight was actually on British Midways, or something like that, and that I should go to Terminal 1. Took a bit to get there.

Some trouble and confusion at customs. I had assumed I would fill out a card upon arrival at Dublin, but apparently I was doing customs there. The customs guy did not like that I was staying for 67 weeks on 300 Euros, 650 dollars of traveller's checks, and a bank account of about 300-400. It's about 18 dollars a day, assuming all low estimates, so that is understandable.

I wasn't sure how to explain the whole WWOOFing thing. I guess I should do a better job of it at the next customs thing (Ireland), but I really do worry that people are going to equate doing vollunter work and recieving food and housing as more or less work. There's definately a difference money-wise for recieving food and board from my hosts and not recieving food and board. Don't want trouble, especially with Edelweiss waiting at the bus (I hope).

It's almost 7am back in LA now, and almost 3pm here in Heathrow. Kinda drowsy, and not in best shape mentally (or physically). Hope this doesn't affect my interactions with customs.

(Postscript: No problems at all with passports or money at Dublin, naturally. Go figure.)