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To Los Angeles
Darling,
I am starting this on the plane, presumably nearing Buenos Aires. It is a marvellous sunny morning even on ground level as far as one can see from 35,000 feet. After leaving you to board the plane we took off not too late – I hope you and the family did not wait. I slept most of the time but the scenery was too wonderful to miss for the first hour and a bit. I woke up, more or less, to hear the plane would be late, but consoled myself there was plenty of time and I would as soon pass it stuffing food on the plane as hanging about the deserts of corridors. I began to be a bit nervous when I realized it was 7.0 p.m. We were reassured when the captain said all services were delayed so that those with connections need not worry. Having reached Kennedy Airport, dark and visibility nil, we circled it for an hour and half. At 8.45 we landed.
I rushed madly off. Not a soul to ask but a chaos of public. At the exit I found the first Pan Am official who told me to catch the bus – not to worry about baggage as it was booked through. At the entrance I waited, then saw a bus labelled Pan Am – the only inconspicuous label I've seen in the U.S. Driver said “Jump in”. Finally I got to a desk – interminable conversation between official and elderly woman. “Go to Gate 6.” Told we could embark at 9.30. “For Buenos Aires?” “Have you got a ticket?” I showed it but he had lost interest. Afterwards I could see his point. The crowds were terrific and it was very hot and noisy. “Only one small bag each allowed.” People turned back right, left and centre. Luckily it was all I had. At 9.45 we were allowed on and I got my seat, having decided there was nothing to be done about luggage. At 10.0 the captain announced that he was sorry for the delay but – 10.10 just off when the weather report from Caracas came. 10.35 just off, when we had taken on extra fuel. 10.45 no report of weather from Rio but would be off at once. 11.15 the flight plan had not come through but we – yes