Regina (for Mar. 27)
We were all up and had our acts together in time to head out for breakfast at 10, then checked out at 11 and went to the station to catch the express train to the airport. We found the schedule and learned that this train doesn’t run as frequently as the others and the next one wasn’t until 12:30. Oh well, what is the difference whether we kill time in the train station or the airport? Then we noticed the sign that said this train was all reserved seating – which makes sense when you consider that people are traveling with luggage. You can’t just cram them on like you would the other trains. So, while Celeste and Tyler guarded our pile of luggage, Carla and I set out to reserve our seats. After a long search and a much longer wait in line, the girl told us that she couldn’t help us and sent us to another office. Fortunately, everything went smoothly there and we were back in business. We spent about half an hour visiting and saying our goodbyes with Carla and Tyler, then set out for the airport.
Carla and Tyler were planning to spend the day checking out electronics stores and returning home late this evening. We sure enjoyed spending this time with them and very much appreciate the use of their bed while they slept on a futon on the floor. We would have been lost without their guiding and language skills. It was a great visit!
The train to the airport was 1.5 hours. We went through the embarkation paperwork and settled down waiting for our airline counter to open. Celeste did crosswords while I culled, organized, and backed up pictures, which had not been done since Australia. We checked in at 4, went through security, had a snack, checked out some shops, and before we knew it, it was time to board. We were airborne at 7:15 with an estimated time en route of 8+45. This was a far cry from the 11 hours in our flight itinerary, but the pilot said they were expecting a good tailwind and I guess they allow extra time on those itineraries for when circumstances are not as favourable.
We both watched movies and they fed us at 9 PM. Once the meal was cleaned up, I went to sleep for almost 3 hours. Celeste watched another movie and slept for about 2 hours. They started bustling around the cabin, turning on lights, and getting ready to feed us again, so there was no point trying to sleep any more and we each watched another movie. They fed us again at 2:30 AM Tokyo time or 9:30 AM Los Angeles time. We landed at 11 AM. It took at least 1.5 hours to get through customs, border security, baggage claim and transfer, walk to the terminal next door, go through security again, and settle in the new departure lounge. Celeste did crosswords and read the LA newspaper someone had left behind while I blogged the last couple of days and sorted things out for our customs declaration, which brings us to now, just before 4 PM in LA, 20.5 hours since our train left the station in Tokyo and 26 hours since I woke up this morning. We leave about 5:30 for Calgary and Regina, home at 12:30 AM Regina time. That’s 6.5 hours to go.
By the way, there are quite a few Canadians passing through here on their way home from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. They are wearing various games clothing and Australian souvenir items.
Home at last at 1 AM. We both got a couple of hours of restless sleep on the LA to Calgary flight. You can’t get comfortable enough in those seats for real sleep, but you nod off for a few minutes, wake up, shift your position, and get a few minutes more before repeating the whole process.
Tyler had a cold the whole time we were in Japan and Carla was just coming down with one when we arrived. Celeste felt one starting to come on the last couple of days, but it really began to take hold the night we were in Tokyo. She has been stuffy all day with a sore throat too.
Carla and Tyler were planning to spend the day checking out electronics stores and returning home late this evening. We sure enjoyed spending this time with them and very much appreciate the use of their bed while they slept on a futon on the floor. We would have been lost without their guiding and language skills. It was a great visit!
The train to the airport was 1.5 hours. We went through the embarkation paperwork and settled down waiting for our airline counter to open. Celeste did crosswords while I culled, organized, and backed up pictures, which had not been done since Australia. We checked in at 4, went through security, had a snack, checked out some shops, and before we knew it, it was time to board. We were airborne at 7:15 with an estimated time en route of 8+45. This was a far cry from the 11 hours in our flight itinerary, but the pilot said they were expecting a good tailwind and I guess they allow extra time on those itineraries for when circumstances are not as favourable.
We both watched movies and they fed us at 9 PM. Once the meal was cleaned up, I went to sleep for almost 3 hours. Celeste watched another movie and slept for about 2 hours. They started bustling around the cabin, turning on lights, and getting ready to feed us again, so there was no point trying to sleep any more and we each watched another movie. They fed us again at 2:30 AM Tokyo time or 9:30 AM Los Angeles time. We landed at 11 AM. It took at least 1.5 hours to get through customs, border security, baggage claim and transfer, walk to the terminal next door, go through security again, and settle in the new departure lounge. Celeste did crosswords and read the LA newspaper someone had left behind while I blogged the last couple of days and sorted things out for our customs declaration, which brings us to now, just before 4 PM in LA, 20.5 hours since our train left the station in Tokyo and 26 hours since I woke up this morning. We leave about 5:30 for Calgary and Regina, home at 12:30 AM Regina time. That’s 6.5 hours to go.
By the way, there are quite a few Canadians passing through here on their way home from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. They are wearing various games clothing and Australian souvenir items.
Home at last at 1 AM. We both got a couple of hours of restless sleep on the LA to Calgary flight. You can’t get comfortable enough in those seats for real sleep, but you nod off for a few minutes, wake up, shift your position, and get a few minutes more before repeating the whole process.
Tyler had a cold the whole time we were in Japan and Carla was just coming down with one when we arrived. Celeste felt one starting to come on the last couple of days, but it really began to take hold the night we were in Tokyo. She has been stuffy all day with a sore throat too.
posted by Celeste at
10:42 p.m.
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