On the way to Japan the boys and I had to fly from Phoenix to Atlanta on the red eye. The boys were so excited they didn't understand the meaning of the red eye. We didn't go to the airport until 9:00 p.m. and our plane took off at 11:55 p.m. Of course, the boys are too excited to sleep much so they played their PSP's, read books, chatted. Jaron did fall asleep for a few hours when it was almost time to land. We landed at 5:30 a.m. Atlanta time after only 3.5 hours in the air. We didn't take off for Narita Airport in Tokyo Japan until 10:00 Atlanta time. The boys ate breakfast and made them a nice little bed on the floor of the airport. Jaron by this time is really starting to feel the affects of no sleep but they were both too cold to sleep. Mom relented and bought them each a little blanket at the airport. Then they were able to sleep.
When we boarded the plane in Atlanta the boys were mesmerized. This is the first time they have flown on a 747 jumbo jet. They loved the little personal movie screens at each seat as well as the slightly larger leg room. We had a 13.30 hour flight to Narita, flying from Atlanta, up and over Alaska, down into Japan. It was a long flight. Jaces PSP battery died before the day was over but we did have 6 movies to watch on the way over on the personal movie players. And Jaron was able to sleep. I was a bed for Jaron all the way there, meaning he was laying on my lap. For those who haven't seen him lately, Jaron has just surpassed me in height in the last month. He is as big as I am so being his pillow wasn't very comfortable for me. Therefore I didn't get much sleep and of course, finished two books I had brought with me on the way.
We arrived in Japan at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, September 15th. It only took us 30 minutes to get through customs. We then boarded an airport shuttle to the hotel. Narita airport was about a 2 hour drive from the hotel, by the time the shuttle stopped at all the other hotels first, but it was a nice drive. I loved all the little farms with slopped roofs and rice fields all around. This is when you know you are in a different country. Jaron loved all the billboards with the anime characters he and Jace were familiar with. All the traffic signs and billboards are in Japanese so we can only guess what they were staying.
When we arrived at the hotel, Jay was waiting for us out front by the bell hops. It was so good to see him and that he waited for us in front was sweet. We unpacked our luggage then took a stroll around Tokyo. School was getting out so we passed a lot of students in uniforms and restaurants. Of course, we also past a 7'11, McDonalds, Starbucks, and Circle K as well. Even with the menus in Japanese, seeing these familiar places makes you immediately more relaxed. We had dinner at a restaurant the served Japanese fare. We couldn't read the menu, and the staff didn't speak english so we had to order by picture. We found that most Japanese can't speak english but can read it. The food was excellent but being full made us realize we were tired. We went back to the hotel so the boys and I could crash. And Crash I did......
No comments:
Post a Comment