After 30 minutes or so, the fasten seat belt sign turned off. Angie then took Suzanne to show her where the toilet was and allow her first experience in the tiny cubical. When she came out, she could see the stewardess making up the berths where they would move after they had their dinner. Tonight’s dinner was small steak fillet with onion rings and broccoli. Bette had a nice red wine served with the meal. The girls were thrilled with the meal. They only had steak when they went out to eat on special occasions. After dinner, the stewardess removed their dinner trays and they moved to the berths. Bette and Tina quickly got into bed and settled down. Angie and Suzanne were exploring the lights, and the music and the other electronics available to them. After about 30 minutes, the two turned out their lights and settled down for a nice long nap.

Bette heard the dinging bell which indicated that they should prepare the cabin for landing. Bette woke Tina and went to retrieve their shoes. She woke Angie and Suzanne and told them to put on their shoes and go to their chairs and buckle up. Angie and Suzanne moved a little slowly since they were not really awake yet. Bette grinned at the sleepy group. It was obvious that everyone had been in a deep sleep.

The plane landed and Bette and Tina gathered their luggage and headed out the stairway. Suzanne noticed immediately the change in temperature from New Haven to Los Angeles.  The air was warmer and dryer. She had her coat in her hands as well as her purse.

Angie: What about our luggage?

Bette: The luggage crew have put yours and Suzanne’s bags in the car trunk already. Come on let’s go home.

Tina: Welcome to California Suzanne.  It’s a little different here than it is in New England.

Suzanne:  Yes, we don’t have any palm trees for one thing.

Bette laughed:  That’s true. Come gang.

They loaded the car and were off to Santa Monica. Suzanne was excited about what she was seeing. The buildings had more Spanish influence, the homes were closer together. There were areas of what appeared to be extreme poverty and areas of opulence. The city seemed to stretch of forever with not many green spaces.  The air smelled different. And Suzanne was grateful to have this opportunity to be here in Southern California as a guest of her college roommate for a week.