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Flying with the Americans .


Flying within America was a much more pleasant experience than the U.K. Based flights I had previously taken . The check in was much the same but once within the security zone I only needed my boarding card once – to get through the boarding gate . None of the passport and papers at every checkpoint I am used to .
The boarding was very relaxed though just as swift with zones as well as rows on the tickets .The flights were both full but there was no scrum of overeager travelers . People just got up leisurely and strolled to the gate only when their zones were boarding .
The seats were wide with plenty of leg room . There were no back of seat TV.'s so the passengers talked to each other , read books and magazines .First flight (4 hours) Orlando to Phoenix I was seated between an Indian electrical engineer by the window and a pleasant retired American lady who read from an electronic book . Said she reads a book a day . Transfer onto the Seattle flight took 75 minutes . I got an aisle seat this time and chatted pleasantly with the Americans on my row . They were welcoming and had good advice on places to check out . My list grows longer .

At the car hire I explained my situation and duly canceled my two day booking , walked the car lanes and picked out a blue/grey Jeep with tinted windows for $1,000. a month plus insurance .

I decided to keep busy so I quickly headed for the nearby Museum of flight . As I walked from the car park I heard Glen Miller and was very pleasantly surprised to see that a large group of WWII enthusiasts were in residence on this Memorial Day Weekend . I paid 5$ then got in line to go inside a fully restored flying B17 bomber . I talked restoration with the instant friends that made . I gave one of them my camera and he organized me and took pictures whilst I viewed the Plane .

The best thing was that on board , as a sort of living history , were veterans who had served in B 17's operating out of East Anglia and were answering questions on what it was really like and reminiscing about their youth in the USAAF in England so long ago but with the memories still sharp and raw .

I skipped the main museum as it was shutting in 30 minutes at 5 but I did buy a city pass so I can return . I went to a local store , was again chatted to due to my accent and got some provisions .
Onto the city . The weather was great – as always when we visit – I parked under the freeway and had a massive “ two scoop “ waffle cone whilst chatting to another large Indian family holidaying from Chicago as we lined up for the harbor tour . I asked the captain/tour guide which side of the boat was best to sit on and was thanked by a group of three “ golden girls “ ( retired American ladies ) who sat behind me and immediately involved me in their conversation . They also photographed me .
I was then going to go up the Space Needle but as I struggled to park tiredness hit so I drove to my hotel instead .

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