Explat, about to leave on his journey across the U.S.
Because of the obscure chain of circumstances that followed, we will probably never know precisely how ExPlat found himself waking from a sound stupor riding on the luggage rotary at an Atlanta Airport terminal. We can surmise a short approximation of the story of his jet trip based on bits and snatches of his swiss-cheese memory.
It seems that, either as a joke, (or more likely on a dare), ExPlat was passed off as a stuffed souvenier at both the Australian point of exit and the American point of entry. As the loser in a tequila slammer contest, ExPlat's inert state, (along with his natural cartoonish good looks) were convincing enough that Customs must have passed him through without a second look. His traveling host having sobered up himself, apparently concluded that discretion was the better part of valor and abandoned ExPlat at the baggage terminal.
While of only average platypus intelligence, ExPlat is distinguished among other platypuses by being curious and adventurous. You will find it unsurprising to learn that ExPlat only figured that something was extremely amiss when he tried to buy a meat pie, without success, at an airport concourse restaurant. Finding himself accidentally in America without a visa was naturally disconcerting, but ExPlat is nothing if not plucky. He soon determined to make a working holiday of his circumstances and see as much of America as possible before being apprehended and deported by agents of the USCIS.
After a series of mis-steps involving hitching rides, staying at youth hostels, and washing dishes and pole-dancing for the Ladies Auxiliary to earn traveling money, ExPlat wised up and contacted us here at Mates Up-Over for some assistance. In exchange for exclusive rights to his picture and story, we have agreed to arrange travel (not first class), accomodation at various places in the United States, and staked him to a little beer money. We invite you to follow along as ExPlat explores America!
And so Explat's adventures begin. Please join us in watching ExPlat travel around America!
