My day started at around 4:30am to catch my 6:27am flight to San Diego. To be more accurate my
6:27am flight segments of PHL-MSP-SAN-LAX-DTW-FLL-DTW-PHL. My plan was to fly those segments,
check out San Diego and Fort Lauderdale all within 37 hours. I also had a goal of spending the least
amount of money possible while doing all of this. Taking full advantage of meals in first class on 4 of my
segments would help that a lot.
I arrived in San Diego around 11am PST. My first plan was to find the bus stop at the airport, this would be
my first time riding the public bus in the US since... well, I don't know really, but it's been so long I can
not remember. I got to the stop, paid my fare of $2.25 on the 992 bus (which goes between downtown and the airport),
and took it to Horton Plaza. My first order of business was getting free Jamba Juice, it was free thanks to a gift
card in my wallet (thanks Brian!). After walking around, and not buying anything I started walking around downtown.
After walking a little bit, I decided that I'm not going to take the bus back to the airport, but walk there instead.
There were a lot more homeless guys in San Diego than I expected, I was starting to get tired of ignoring requests
for my money and cigarettes (I don't smoke). I suppose if I was a bum, San Diego would be the perfect city to live in.
I eventually walked up to Balboa park and watched the planes land, it's almost as good as the park near Reagan National.
Due to the topography of San Diego and the location of Lindberg Field, aircraft on approach from the East will pretty
much descend with the terrain... so you can be a couple miles away from the airport and the airplanes will almost
be closer to you than they will be while standing under the runway approach lights.
During my walking adventures some guy came up to me asking if he could have a couple bucks for gas because he ran
out. Based on his business casual attire and demeanure, I figured he wasn't looking to take my money for booze or
cigarettes, so I paid it forward and gave him a couple bucks.
After a lot more walking I spent some time relaxing by the water... you know, thinking about airplanes,
girls, and the next season of 24. The weather was perfect, like it always is here in SD. I would have liked
to spend more time in SD... maybe sitting in a boat, in the bay, thinking about airplanes, girls, and the next season of 24.
I got back to the airport's commuter terminal, and the ticketing agent made a comment about Northwest
making you connect in Detroit just to go to Florida. If she wasn't such a seemingly nice person, I would have
had something to say about my feelings towards American Airlines!
Money spent: Bus fare - $2.25, Out-of-gas guy: $2.00 = $4.25 for a day in San Diego AND paying it forward!
Off to Florida!
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