Today was no ordinary day. It was the start of an adventure to join the set of Naked and Unashamed… As God Intended: The Pastor Jim Moore Story, a film currently filming. Starting my journey in the dazzling city of Las Vegas, I knew this trip would be one to remember.
Early Start, Big Wins
I found myself at Harry Reid International Airport four hours early, courtesy of my fiancé, who had to drop me off before heading to work. With time to kill, I breezed through security and located my gate. Standing there with $5 burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to try my luck at one of the infamous airport slot machines. Three dollars in, I hit a modest win—nothing life-changing, but enough to make my morning brighter.
Using my newfound winnings, I treated myself to breakfast at Moe’s Southwest Grill, enjoying the calm before the storm of travel.
Flying in Comfort
My flight on Spirit Airlines wasn’t your typical cramped experience, as I had splurged on the “comfy” upgraded seats. Settling in, I took the opportunity to test out my 360 camera—a piece of gear I hoped to get some use out of during the trip—before taking a quick nap on the short flight to Hollywood Burbank Airport.
Unexpected Detours and Public Transportation Adventures
I had previously learned that the recent fires in the area had caused the crew to relocate to a new shooting location. As a result, they wouldn’t be available to pick me up from the airport for another six hours. With nothing but the hotel’s address and a determination to make the most of my day, I decided to tackle the challenge of navigating public transportation from the airport to the Holiday Inn Express in El Monte.
Research told me it would be simple—just a train and a couple of buses. How hard could it be? Spoiler: harder than expected.
Navigating the Train System
The first leg of my journey began with a half-mile walk to the train station, where I purchased my ticket. But once on the platform, I realized the signage left much to be desired. Which side would the train arrive on? I wasn’t sure.
Thankfully, a fellow traveler had the same question. After a bit of discussion, they offered to call an Uber if we ended up on the wrong side of the tracks. Their confidence turned out to be spot-on, and while we waited, we discovered we were both in town for film-related work. In a serendipitous twist, I handed them my contact info as they were in the market for an editor.
Once aboard the train to Union Station, I was amused to find that no one checked my ticket. That was $6 I could have saved!
The Chaos of Union Station
Union Station was a maze. After walking back and forth trying to follow vague signage to the J Line, I finally stumbled upon a staircase leading to a long pathway over the freeway. By this point, my patience was wearing thin, and I realized I didn’t have a tap card to ride the bus. Turning back wasn’t an option.
Luckily, fate intervened again. The bus arrived with a sign proclaiming “free fare today.” Relief washed over me, but I still wasn’t sure if I was heading in the right direction. Fortunately, I was.
Final Stretch to El Monte
At the El Monte station, I descended the slightly sketchy escalator to the lower level, where I needed to catch the final bus to the hotel. Unsure if free fare applied to all buses, I decided to buy a one-way tap card just to be safe. It turned out to be unnecessary, as this bus was free as well.
Six stops later, I arrived at my destination. Tired but triumphant, I headed into the Holiday Inn Express, where the staff graciously let me settle in, charge my phone, and relax.
The Waiting Game
With a few hours to kill before the crew arrived, I reflected on my journey. It had been a long, unpredictable day filled with small victories, unexpected challenges, and a reminder that every detour has the potential to lead to something great.
Though the day was far from over, I was ready for whatever came next on this cinematic adventure. After all, this trip wasn’t just about reaching a destination—it was about embracing the story along the way.
