Portugal photos

Here is a link to some photos from my trip.

Traveling home

 My return trip started very early. I warned Jyothi about my early start, hoping to not disturb her too much. I had booked my Uber the night before and I appreciated that it asked for my specific flight and told me when I would be picked up in order to have the right amount of time at the airport. One less thing for me to think about.

 It was still dark when I hopped in the Uber for the 20 minute ride to the airport. I had to ask the Uber driver where the terminal was! Inside, we went through the usual gauntlet of getting luggage and ourselves scanned (although the line kept moving). After that, we were hearded to the area for US passport holders. The line wasn't too bad. As with my entry, no one cared about the EU app QR code. After a quick check the officer let me through and then all I needed to do was find my gate. Once it was announced (I was too early), I found it and found a seat. Shortly before they boarded us, we were all herded out of the area, a rope put up and we were asked the usual travel questions (has anyone handled your luggage, are you here for business or pleasure etc). Apparently this step is at request of US. They scanned our passports again and then once you are inside the rope, you have to stay there. So much for last minute bathroom visit. We were boarded onto a bus from the terminal for the longest ever ride to our plane. I was seated again in one of the 2 seats by the window but this time I had a large man next to me. He was pleasant enough (helped with luggage, etc) but it couldn't have been comfortable for him.

 On the flight I picked up a headset (theirs has green and red earbuds) and some chocolate, watched Wicked part 2, had an okay meal, slept a bit, had the morning snack and then got myself ready to run the LAX gauntlet. 

Aside from the crowds inside the customs area, it didn't end up being too bad. I looked for the Global Entry area (other side of the room, of course), got in a short line, stood in front of the kiosk to get my face scanned, and the guy in the booth yelled out my name as cleared and I moved on. Outside the terminal, I walked to the next terminal over to catch the shuttle to LAX-It, picked up a taxi and was home. It was only mid day so I had many hours to stay awake and try to adjust back to Pacific Time! It was nice to be home, launder my clothes, and sleep in my own bed.