tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556021846818907745.post6572707810121566605..comments2024-03-12T18:18:10.646+13:00Comments on How the hell does this work?: I miss AmericaTwisted Scottish Bastardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825025524038296192noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556021846818907745.post-19078771168487578342010-10-28T21:17:02.780+13:002010-10-28T21:17:02.780+13:00I take it back. They are now making you pay. 3 mon...I take it back. They are now making you pay. 3 months ago it was free. Sneaky ********!The Pink Paddlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12224576769030032812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556021846818907745.post-23011022618928237142010-10-28T21:09:34.758+13:002010-10-28T21:09:34.758+13:00TSB - don't pay. It has changed sort of. I wil...TSB - don't pay. It has changed sort of. I will explain tomorrow.The Pink Paddlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12224576769030032812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556021846818907745.post-57627841326481000332010-10-28T09:18:59.716+13:002010-10-28T09:18:59.716+13:00Richard [of RBB], thanks, you are correct. Obviou...Richard [of RBB], thanks, you are correct. Obviously you must have spent much more time in front of the TV than me, and I thought I was a TV addict at that age.<br /><br />Pinky, thanks, the flight via LA was the cheapest by about $400, so my Scottish genes won't let me pay more. I believe the rules have changed about visas. Homeland Security's own web site is the one which offers the electronic right of travel for $14 (US). This is supposed to be an offer for travellers on AirNZ, where you DON'T have to go through the horrible standard immigration/security/customs rigmarole, but a special abbreviated transit procedure.<br /><br />Mike: Thanks and sorry. I don't know what happened to the USA. I also don't know what happened to the UK either, they've gone security mad in both countries. <br />I know LA is horrible, I 've passed through twice, and it's my least favourite airport (although Bombay is a close second) I was amazed by the number of panhandlers allowed into LA. I think I got hit-on about 10 times a minute, for this good cause and the next. When I finally gave up and offered the guy all the coins in my pocket(maybe $10-$15) it was refused with contempt; he kept shouting "Paper, man, paper" I told him to fuck off. I felt much better after that.<br />Actually thinking about it, there were more beggars in LA than Bombay. Sad.<br />I have however seen many acts of politeness and kindness in LA. A couple of the cops on duty smiled back as I smiled at them. Smiles mostly beget smiles, everywhere in the world (USSR excepted), an immigration officer made a joke about Middle Earth (this was in 2003) about my NZ Permanent Resident Permit in my UK passport, and a baggage handler went and got me some Duct Tape to hold my extremely overloaded bag together when it burst open as it came of the carousel. People I think are basically nice. It's a philosophy I've used all my life. Until a bastard proves the occasional opposite, then I treat him accordingly.Twisted Scottish Bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06825025524038296192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556021846818907745.post-82874471087340368172010-10-28T08:07:05.760+13:002010-10-28T08:07:05.760+13:00If you figure out what the hell happened to my cou...If you figure out what the hell happened to my country let me know TSB. Secondly, if you can avoid LA I recommend it. It is a disaster.Michael Scotthttp://madmikesamerica.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556021846818907745.post-10587081688703834302010-10-28T07:34:58.715+13:002010-10-28T07:34:58.715+13:00Don't go via LA then! Also, be aware that you ...Don't go via LA then! Also, be aware that you can get the visa easily on line and it is free. There are a lot of dodgy websites out there trying to get you to pay for this service. If you need the link to the real site let me know!The Pink Paddlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12224576769030032812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556021846818907745.post-31232882010011092482010-10-28T06:48:42.262+13:002010-10-28T06:48:42.262+13:00Sorry to be pedantic but the show was called My Fa...Sorry to be pedantic but the show was called My Favourite Martian, not My Uncle Martian. I know these things because I spent my youth in front of the TV.Richard (of RBB)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07245921253761836268noreply@blogger.com