So, this is a little late, I realize. The trip to the airport in itself was difficult. Woke up late and still had to clean. Managed to vacuum and everything, and went down for breakfast. Last breakfast in Japan included onigiri (rice balls), so that was nice. Didn't have time to enjoy it though, because by then it was twenty minutes past the time I wanted to leave. Mama and I left for the station, having decided it would be faster and more convenient to take the train rather than the car. I was a little afraid my super-packed suitcases would break on the 5-10 minute walk to the station, but they held. Made it to Shinjuku by a little after 11, but that's way later than I wanted. Had to buy a ticket for the 11:40 bus. I did end up with a little luck though. The 11:20 bus had someone who cancelled and enough space for my two suitcases, so I got to leave a little early. After a quick but earnest goodbye, I was off to the airport.
I brought my Laboon pillow as a personal item for on the plane and got plenty of comments. One of the guys who unloaded my luggage off the bus nodded at it and grinned. It was cute. Got a couple of kids that pointed and tugged at their moms arms, too. Even the girl I sat next to on the plane nodded, and asked if I'd bought it in Japan. A good bit of good attention.
Getting on that first plane took a while. I generally got to sit around the airport and wait. Which was perfectly fine, as I was able to relax a bit. Met up with Tamarra just before my plane left. She took a different one, but it was good to see her a last time before we left Japan.
The flight was fine from NRT to LAX. Didn't sleep enough. I think the rushing sound of the plane ended up getting to me. The worst part was the descent. I couldn't get my ears to pop because of this damned cold. Felt worse than those crying babies. Had to wait a long time after we landed to be able to pop them properly.
Weather in LA was lovely when I arrived. About 66ºF. Wonderful and cool. Walked over to my next terminal where I got to stay for the next something like 7 hours? Guh. That was a little tooo long. By then my cold reared its ugly head and I had a miserable time. Took dayquil and had my first american burger in 4 months. It was good, but a little disappointing, I was kind of expecting magic. Oh well. Spent almost the entire time drowsing in and out, not drinking enough water, and taking more medicine than I should have. Eventually finally did get to get on my plane, but not before finding out that Colleen was on the same plane, a few rows back and on the other side. Got to sit and chat a little while before boarding.
Flight back was uneventful, other than me not being able to pop my ears again. Still trying a little bit. Very uncomfortable. But came home! Got to see my family waiting in the airport. It was late by the time I got home, it had been the longest day I've had in a long long time. But I'm home. Got to sleep in my own bed last night, eat american food… Japan was a wonderful experience but I'm glad to be home. For all of you who've been following my blog, or read it even a little, thank you.
