ANNNNND SHE'S OFF!

True to "Travelling Slavin's Luck" the motorways on the way to Manchester Airport misbehaved gloriously on Tues!

Mikaela, who kindly offered to take me there (and patiently waited whilst I flapped and, yes ok, finished packing before I set off) had to burn rubber once the traffic dispersed! (Oh man, that girl can drive...and drive fast! Thank God!)

It meant that I didn't stop from entering Terminal 3 until I boarded my plane. There were mammoth queues for everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. Not even a pit stop for the toilet (let alone duty free)!

Everything went smoothly on the flight to JFK. I was seated next to a lovely couple who were off to New York on their honeymoon. He was a Bolton lad and she was from Hull.

When we disembarked it was a long old haul to get to my connecting flight up to Boston. Immigration quizzed me LOTS about where I was going and why,how I was going to fund it,why I was travelling alone, why the US, why why why! Went on for what seemed like ages. And even when he told me I could go he shouted me back and wanted to see my passport again to "check the expiration" (*raises eyebrows but slightly panicking!)

If you're connecting to another flight in the States you now have to collect your hold luggage and re-check it for your next flight, as well as going through all security again (full body x-rays and the lot). Needless to say I was running through JFK and only just made my flight to Boston by a whisker. The plane doors closed as I walked up the aisle. (Again, not even a pit stop opportunity for a wee!)

I remember thinking "bet my bag hasn't made it so quickly!" How real that premonition became!

On waiting at the Baggage Carousels after all luggage from my flight had been collected that thought became a worry. (Brill! Not even got to my first destination and I've lost my bloody luggage!!)

Delta Airlines were very helpful and gave me a voucher for a snack whilst I waited for the next flight from JFK, in case it had been put on that. Alas, once again, I watched the carousel empty and felt my worry turn to dread.

I lodged my Missing Luggage Claim and was sent off with a complimentary Delta toiletry bag containing a white t shirt I could use as a night shirt (although it only just covered my modesty!), mini toothbrush and toothpaste, a razor and shaving cream and two cotton wool balls (god knows what they were for!) So at least I would have fresh teeth and shaved armpits the next day! Knicker-less, of course, however (as I stashed all smalls in my wheely backpack for some reason!)

The Silver Line free bus from the airport to Boston was a pleasant ride, all be it my mind was racing; anxious about how my adventure was going to start without my gear! Ohhhh, all my lovely frockage! My stuff - all carefully chosen and packed!! All NOT WITH ME!

I checked into my hostel and was very pleased to find I'd been allocated a bottom bunk. Hurrah!! BUT if the Gods of all things good and right had really put their mind to it I'd have had a bottom bunk AND my luggage! Hell, I'd have been happy with a top bunk and my luggage!

The first dorm sharer I met was a lovely Thai Canadian lady who sympathised with me and offered me toiletries and anything else I needed. Although, at just under 5 feet tall she couldn't help me much on the clothing front!

I slept surprisingly well, despite my panic (although in my excitement I sure hadn't had much sleep the night before!). But lo and behold, when I went for breakfast the next morning, there was a message informing me that my luggage was safe and well in the hostel office! Yaaaaaaay!! It had been delivered at just gone 4am!

I have never before been so pleased to see my luggage! I wanted to kiss the hostel guy who re-united me with it! (Don't worry...I didn't!) I celebrated with a posh filter coffee in the hostel lobby! (HIUSA Hostels are dry hostels, otherwise I'd have ordered a brandy!)

So, if my friends have started a book on when the first trial and trauma of Travelling Slavin was going to occur on my 7 month long trip, the person who picked "within the first 24 hours" won it hands down! How well they know my bad luck!

Maybe I've had my dose of bad luck dealt at an early stage and won't have another blip for a while.Or, maybe I've just jinxed myself with that very statement! Ach! Who knows with the weird and wonderful world of Ruth!

Anyway...I'm off to acquaint myself with my new home of Boston, as a temporary resident.

Have a nice day y'all!