May 14th, 1990. My journal records,

             “A bunch of us from the hostel jumped aboard the 2:45 pm bus at Flagstaff bound for Kingman and connections to the west. There was quite a few of us – 2 guys from the UK, 1 Australian guy, 2 French girls and 1 South African girl. We changed buses at Kingman at 7:30 pm on a connection to Las Vegas.”

 

               After traveling through so much empty landscape, all of a sudden Las Vegas appeared in all its gaudy glory. Having been to so many cities so far, I decided to only spend a couple of hours here. Everyone seemed to be wandering from place to place holding cups full of quarters or a drink in their hands or both. The only good thing was the steak and lobster for $2.50! I boarded the bus to Reno glad I had only been in this city of sin for a short time.

              May 15th, I watched sunrise over Yosemite from the bus window. The mountains of the American landscape were breathtaking. Reno was very like a mini version of Vegas with slot machines at the bus station and I was feeling pretty grungy. One more bus ride and I would be at my destination.

The Worst!

            My journal records,

“The worst just happened – Greyhound lost my luggage on the bus from Las Vegas and Reno. Can’t believe it. I waited and waited while they emptied the luggage hold, but it was not there! So thankful I had my fanny pack with my passport, tickets and money. My small carry on bag had my camera and jacket in it, but that is all I have to my name. Talk about traveling light! I decided to go on to Truckee and they said they will send my luggage to me there later today.”

Truckee, CA

                   “Truckee is a wonderful small western town centered around the train tracks. The hostel is called the Star Hotel and the lady who runs it is like everyone’s mum. The scenery around the town is so beautiful. Met a lady who owns the White Buffalo gift store. We talked about the area and she suggested I could hitch ride to Tahoe with another storekeeper across the street. So off I went to Cat’s Corner, which was a thrift store. The owner, Marilyn, was going to softball practice in Tahoe, so she took me there and back – how fab is that!”

 

Back in Truckee to meet the 9:30pm bus.

           “They had not been able to locate my luggage yet and told me I needed to go back to Reno to make a claim! Thankfully they are going to extend my ticket until they find it. Feel really glad I am in this small-town tonight. My trip seems to have come to a halt for right now.”

May 16th, 1990

            “Slept amazingly well in this quiet hostel and ate a huge American breakfast at the Wagon Train Café! One of the waitresses had traveled all over the world and after she heard my story, handed me a mimosa! Hopped on the bus back to Reno to see about my luggage!”

Reno

           I waited all day and night in Reno Greyhound station which I absolutely do not recommend. With nothing much left to steal, I was just plain frightened. I broke down and cried and did what all girls do. I called my mum!  There is no-one like your mum to put life in perspective. She bucked me up saying I had everything I needed, a passport, tickets, and some money, “So go and buy a new backpack and clothes and keep going!” My sweet mum was the one who advised me get buy travelers insurance before I left – actually I think she even paid for it! Thanks, mum!

           Feeling vulnerable is not a favorite past time for many of us. After having left everything familiar to go traveling, losing my luggage the last straw of who I was up to this point.  Also, my suitcase was full of all the undeveloped rolls of film and mementoes I had gathered from my trip – that sadened me the most. They were irreplaceable. At 7am the kiosk attendant put a claim ‘on the computer’, and I hoped for the best.

May 16th, 1990.

“Decided to wait out the next few days back in Truckee. So on the Grehound Bus I go back to see Marylin.”