Day Four--Followup

[cyrano]

Safely home.
I wandered around the waterfront, admiring the scenery, and did some pre-shopping at Pike Place. Then I met up with RN and LL (thank you both for putting up with me for so long this trip!) and told her that I'd found the silk robe she was looking for on Sunday. So we all went down there, and I finally found a replacement for the black silk banded collar shirt I bought over 20 years ago before it gave up the ghost. It was much too warm to wear silk, though, so it got bagged. Then we went to the Seattle Aquarium, which was very cool and although it didn't have everything that the Monterey aquarium has, it had a few things it doesn't.
And then we went luggage shopping and shoe shopping and then I freaked out because I'd lost track of the time and I needed to get back to the hotel to catch my shuttle to the airport. And since I have the coolest friends in the world, they promised that if we got back too late then they'd just take me to the airport. But they didn't have to.
And my best housemate picked me up and took me home. La. Tomorrow is grocery shopping, laundry, doctor's appointment, and really no shit this time writing the plot for Thursday's episode.

Comments

[my-aerie.livejournal.com]

So when do I get to meet you, eh?

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Well, I know that the day I met Likeable Lemur he was already asking when I was coming to Alaska. (: But as they discovered, it helps if you offer to meet me halfway.

[my-aerie.livejournal.com]

I'd offer to meet you halfway if I had the money to...I have a friend's wedding in June and I don't even know if I can afford to do that. Being a college kid makes the whole extra money concept...well, it just doesn't exist to me.

If you come to Alaska, I might be persuaded to make a trip to Juneau, since that's cheaper than goin all the way to the lower 48 (and I presume tha's where you'd go since it's where they're from). Hmm. Wonder if they'd let me crash with them if I did that. I still donno if he's over his and my less-than-pleasant past history...

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I completely understand the money thing. I was pretty much stuck for a long time. When I was in college I could afford a trip to SF once a year, but that was pretty much it. When I was poor and working for an airline, I could fly places on standby for cheap but really couldn't afford the time off from work or to pay for lodging/food/whatnot when I got where ever that was.
Meeting in Juneau may have some promise. (At this point, I'm not positive that they'd let me crash there either.) Right now, I'm thinking maybe next spring or summer in Juneau. By then the weather should be warm enough for my delicate California bones and I might have enough Alaska miles to pay for the ticket.

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

You'd be more than welcome to crash at our place, so long as you don't mind sleeping on an air mattress in the library or living room. Robs has my vote, although I'd have to clear it with Brian first. (Maybe she could sweeten the deal by offering threesome privileges?)

[my-aerie.livejournal.com]

Would threesome privileges actually sweeten the deal? If it would, I'm all for it. You know how he feels about me a lot better than I do! :P

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I think it would be best if we included Brian and made it a foursome....

[amanda_lodden.livejournal.com]

But as they discovered, it helps if you offer to meet me halfway.

I totally don't understand this comment, especially given other comments about finances. It's been my experience that the difference in flight prices for halfway versus all the way is very minor-- except that both sides have to pay for halfway. Then both sides have to pay for lodging, and unless lodging involves a cabin or a suite with a kitchen, both sides have to pay for food.

Wouldn't it be cheaper overall to have two visits, in which each side travels to the other's once? Then the traveler can stay for free, and cheaper food options become available. Plus, you get two visits out of the deal.

[my-aerie.livejournal.com]

Considering that I'm in Alaska, it is actually potentially cheaper to meet halfway. Last I looked, flights within the states cost around 500 bucks, flights to/from Alaska cost around 800 bucks. Course, it doesn't much help me, as I believe if I flew to, say, Seattle, it still costs me one hell of a lot of money, even if he gets to save on the Alaska fare.

[amanda_lodden.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's pretty much my point: to meet halfway costs a total of $1300 plus lodging plus eating out because neither of you have a kitchen available at the halfway point. But for you to fly to him costs $800, and then you get to stay with him and eat a meal or two there. Then for him to come out to Alaska costs about $800, and he gets to stay with you and eat a meal or two there. Total cost is $1600, which is more expensive for flights, but you get two visits out of if, and you save hotel fees (which can easily exceed the $300 difference in flight prices, unless it's a very short visit or a very cheap motel).

On the other hand, meeting up in a cheap motel COULD be fun.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Given enough time, saving up the miles for a free flight is probably the easiest. I'm not certain about the time frame on that, yet, but free vs. $800 is totally a win in my book. (:

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

It would definitely be cheaper for all parties involved. But if I'm budgeting out a single trip, rather than planning a long term exchange programme, it is easier for me to justify a $200 flight to Seattle than an $800 flight to Anchorage.
However, if Robs wants to start planning a LTEP....

[amanda_lodden.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I dunno about Robs, but I'd like to plan a LTEP...

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Given November and June? It sounds like you already are. (:

[amanda_lodden.livejournal.com]

As I recall June is not definite until after November...

Though I have enough reasons to visit San Jose that there will almost certainly be half of an LTEP. Now it's just a matter of poking at you for the other half.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Whether definite or not, there is still a plan. And be careful about poking me--I'm ticklish.

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you had a good time. Welcome home.