Preparing to time travel

On Thursday morning a taxi will turn up outside my house, and whisk me off to the airport. By late afternoon I will arrive on the far side of the world, having wound the clock backwards. On the plane, 9 hours will have passed - on the ground, 3 hours.

I’m flying to America - to visit “Flight Sim Expo” - this is what happens when you quite accidentally fall down a slippery slope in your spare time that results in people calling you a “content creator”, and tradesmen standing outside your house asking “are you THE Jonathan Beckett ?”.

It’s happened again recently, by the way. A co-worker of my other half stopped mid conversation, and exclaimed “hang on - you’re married to the Jonathan Beckett on YouTube?”

My other half still thinks it’s hilarious. Friends too.

My bag is mostly packed - jeans, shirts, shoes, hoodies - smart casual all the way. I dug a wash bag out yesterday and half-filled it. A “world” plug adapter will arrive in the post later today - allowing me to charge my watch, phone, and tablet during my travels. I’ll be using an “Airalo” eSim while I’m in the US - much better value than setting up roaming on my phone. I’m not taking a laptop with me - I’ll press the iPad into service for blogging.

I’m taking the Kindle instead of a book.

I have ordered an English football shirt - on account of the World Cup being on while I’m in the US. It seems a bit silly to be there without finding a sports bar to watch a game or two in the evenings. I opted for the 1982 retro style football shirt - I don’t have the mullet hair to go with it though. Wearing the shirt feels a bit like giving the game away - it would almost be more fun to let people find out where I’m from when I start talking.

It’s nearly twenty five years since I last visited America. A lifetime ago. I’m looking forward to it.