The outbound flight is unproblematic. From Hamburg at 07:05h with the BA machine to London and then at 09:55h from there on to Los Angeles. Of course, 15h without a cigarette break for smokers are not so easy, but it works. Only now and then to stand in the plane, that must be. Otherwise you can just dispose of your legs later, since you won’t feel them anyway.

In the 747, the class division is as usual. Two times wood class makes already about 300 passengers of the total 400. From our seats on the left sit Horst and Hedwig from “no idea, because strange dialect” (names changed by the editorship, and/or does not know the editorship at all, how they are called). The two make themselves comfortable shortly after the start and unpack two of three cans of Carte d’Or. Inside are cold spaghetti with tomato sauce. Horst first eats a large portion with the plastic fork he brought with him. Hedwig has a large bag of Parmesan with her, which she eats completely with the spaghetti during the flight. She can also tolerate, is already a little out of the dream dimensions, but if it tastes so good … Somehow I don’t really like my Chicken Madras from BA anymore…

Arrival in Los Angeles and then to the entry first fingerprints and photo give. Seems a little unorganized. But then seems to lead to success. Behind there are the suitcases and then again queueing for the actual entry. Hedwig comes with Horst classic German from the side into the queue and cheats himself first 5 places forward. Should the Vettel times an example dran take, then he can also become world champion.

The shuttle bus takes us to the car rental agency. On foot – no chance. It’s really far out. The driver still thinks that everyone should sit down and that the luggage should be well stowed. At the first traffic light we know why. Schwupps, it knocks the one first times lengthwise down. Hahaha, he may have looked stupid. Well, after that he was not so relaxed anymore.

At the car rental it went like Martin had described. First try to get another car. The first discount of only 15$ extra charge per day for a SUV did not work. So we calculated again. 11$ per day. We decline with thanks. He seems slightly miffed. Such a great discount and those stupid Germans don’t want it. Well, 250$ for the time is also something. The rental car is a classic minivan for max. 7 people. Above all, room for a lot of luggage.

Then the seemingly endless drive to Las Vegas. Boring and completely tired. Would have preferred to book an overnight stop in Barstow and then continue to Las Vegas in the morning. No matter, now one is there.