L.A. On a Shoe String

Back in 1990, my Dad had given us the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles for the wedding of a dear friend. He won airline tickets in a Handball Tournament and didn’t want to use them. So he gifted them to us so we could go. Sandy was my first companion and trainer when I was a missionary in Texas back in 1983-84. She was getting married in Los Angeles because the Oakland LDS Temple was closed for renovations. She lived in the Bay Area.

We were really in no position to go on a trip. Very little money, and small children we’d have to leave behind, were the main things that should have had us thinking twice about going. But…I love her, she’s my friend and we can just be so careful about spending and make it happen.

We decided to go! We loaded us our carry on luggage with snacks and got on the plane. A few things I should say about this trip are, the only definite things were- “But, she’s getting married Saturday in the LA LDS Temple, and we’re staying across the street in the Travel Lodge Motel!”

We had no idea how we were getting to the motel. We had no idea where, when or what we were going to eat. We had cash, a little. When the cash was gone, we didn’t have any other way of paying for anything. This is before credit cards, cell phones and all of the conveniences we enjoy today.

On the plane I sat by a guy who was going home from BYU. This usually means he’s a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He offered to take us to the motel from the airport. Wow! That was a miracle. I had found out he was traveling back to BYU the same day we were going home and I was hoping he’d offer to pick us up on his way. He didn’t. I thought, darn, but we’ll be ok.

We got to the motel and happened to see my friend, Sandy. She was staying at the motel too. It was right across the street from the temple so that made sense. We went to bed and got up early on Saturday for the wedding, and walked across the street. It was beautiful. They had a nice dinner after at a local restaurant.That was another miracle. We didn’t have to buy any food. When we got hungry we snacked on our snacks.

Sunday we went to church at the little chapel right next to the temple. It was very nice and fun to see how this tiny ward belted out the hymns. So much spirit!

Monday, Sandy had asked us on Saturday if we wanted to tag along with them to Disneyland for the day. We said yes! We had enough money. We rode together and then split up for most the day, after all they had just got married. That evening they treated us to a movie in a nice California Theatre. She said they are bigger and more amazing than the ones in Utah. We went and had a fun time.

When we flew home, I can’t even remember if it was Tuesday or Wednesday, but we knew we didn’t have enough money to get a taxi. We decided to ride the bus. It was something else. I wouldn’t even ride the bus in Utah, let alone in LA with luggage. Just to make sure I knew what to do, I called the LA Transit and talked to a really nice lady who gave me directions. Where to get on and all the particulars. The most important thing she said was, “Whatever you do, DON’T get off the bus.” I thanked her and we headed for the bus stop. We got on the bus and as we’re traveling I see things the lady told me I would see. I was feeling confident for a while, but then it felt like to much time had gone by. Then I saw a street sign. It was one that she must have mentioned . I thought maybe we are supposed to get off here, and go the other bus stop on that street. We get over there, running with our luggage and then I felt like I made a mistake. I called the LA Transit again. This nice lady answered and I tell her what I’m trying to do. She says, “I told you not to get off the bus!” I said, “I know, but I got confused when I saw the street sign.” She then proceeds to tell me that all the buses end up at the airport, eventually. Well, why didn’t she tell me that before. Haha. We got to the airport with moments to spare, running to catch our plane.

We made it to Salt Lake City where Brett’s dad was waiting to take us home.

We had $2 in our pockets.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

* Copy This Password *

* Type Or Paste Password Here *