Bye, bye Jaimie

It's the American kids turn to travel down under and live with their Aussie partners. Jaimie had to catch an early flight to LA so everyone is up a 3:00am for the drive to the airport. We meet up with the rest of the group and get the kids checked in. This is not without problems 'cause thanks to the most incompetent travel agency in the world (STA Travel) the ticket numbers have not been entered into the system with the reservations. It took the ticketing agent about 30 minutes, and several phone calls to clear things up, but the lesson learned is Never Book with STA Travel.

Well this played out pretty much the same as the Aussie farewell with lots of hugs, and tears from the ladies. In the end, the kids are off and we waved goodbye as they pass thru security, and head for the gate.

One interesting footnote: When the Aussie kids left we couldn't figure out why Kayley was held up at security for so long. Looked like they were really going through her stuff. Turned out that despite numerous warnings from her American family, she tried to pack a dozen or more bottles of perfume, and lotions in her carry-on bag which everyone knows is not allowed (3 oz and 3 bottles limit). I guess they confiscated some but let most of it go anyway. Well instead of ditching it she went through the whole thing again in the Los Angeles airport on the connecting flight to Sydney. Pretty funny but the American coordinators were not amused.

We got the safe arrival call at 6:00 this morning, and Jaimie is already complaining that it's too hot and her hair is too curley. Guess that hair straightener will get a workout. Interestingly enough, we also heard that Jess is complaining that it's too hot. Guess she adapted to the "cold" Colorado weather better than she thought.