I flew the reverse route as well, Orlando to LAX. Nonstop both ways. It was my first time to both Florida and the Orlando area. On Sunday I had a morning class and an afternoon workshop for my professional society. My profession is very conservative and very much mostly white males: primarily Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer types. There was a conference going on as well, but since I didn't secure the approvals, I just went for the training and committee meetings.
On Monday, I didn't have anything scheduled, so I slept in and went shopping. My first stop was JC Penny's for a new pair of hose, and I picked up a nude shade of lipstick. I then walked to a Panera Bread for lunch, visited CVS picked up a new eye shadow pack, and a tube of lip gloss. I used the nude lipstick and eye shadow on my return trip. Oh, and I picked up a journal with a lock and key from a bookstore, to log my transition.
Wednesday morning I got up at 3 am. and was ready just over an hour later. The shuttle was supposed to be there at 4:30. I was determined to wear my heals all day. I went down and checked out. Then I sat and waited for the shuttle. While waiting another person checked out then went outside, as 4:30 approached I went out and we struck up a conversation. She said she was there for the conference, and I mentioned I was too, sort of. She said she hadn't seen me there and I said I was just doing peripheral things and that wasn't too surprising to me.
The shuttle arrived and took us both to our terminals. I walked in and went through security. I gave the TSA lady my ID and scanned my phone and she replied, "Have a wonderful trip Miss" This time I knew that my heels wouldn't pass the metal detector, so I put them in the scanner. then walked to the tram, grabbed a coffee at Starbucks for Alana (alas they didn't write my name on the cup), and walked to the gate. I've found the key for me is to walk slowly, too fast and the shoe slips off my foot or my left ankle starts to get weak. I found a seat and waited, I got up once to use the lady's and a second time to pick up a magazine. Boarding time, and I'm still in my heels, and feeling pretty good about walking down the jet way.
When I had confirmed the flight out on Friday, I'd changed my return seat to an isle seat. so when I sat down I didn't bother buckling in. As the doors were closing I realized I got the whole row to myself, so I moved my under seat bag under another seat and took my shoes off. I understanding the fem shoes off thing my wife does, though she doesn't wear pumps with 3" heels either. Here's a photo from my laptop web cam:
The flight attendant were very nice. I really like the experience on Delta. I even got one to take my picture with my phone:
I got up a couple times, I'd put my heels back on and slowly make my way back. After landing I still was walking with my heels, I made it back to my vehicle, then switch to my flats for the drive. On the way back I stopped and went shopping. I tried on several dresses, but decided not to buy. Most of them were on clearance, but I'll likely wait until this weekend and go back.
Just before I got home, I stopped to change and clean my makeup off. I had to go back to him mode... I'm counting the days I won't have to do that... Anyway, let me know how you like the nude lip color and eye shadow, which is the Almay light blue/medium blue/dark blue combination.
-Alana
