Tokyo

This is why I look for an airport with a hotel in it. I was already at the airport when I ate dinner and went to bed last night. I was able to take a shower, have a nice breakfast and the walk for the hotel to JAL check in was 5 minutes. No stress, no sweaty lugging suitcases up stairs because you forgot to look for an exit with an elevator.
I always like to see how the old Japanese men eat. There was an elderly couple in front of me and watching him was a treat.
I eat entirely too fast. Mom says it’s from having 30 minutes for lunch. I do try to slow down, be present and chew well, but not all the time.
Check in took forever. There was a huge group from the Caribbean, and it was checking for several flights. It gave me an opportunity to be patient and polite. I literally caught myself huffing about “this line isn’t moving “. Then caught myself. While I was in line, I play guess where the White people are from. Are they Brits or Americans? I’ve gotten better at thinking I can spot Europeans. I hear a lot of Spanish, Spain I’m thinking? It’s a long way from South America.
I decided to get my money’s worth and go check out the Centurion Amex Lounge. It’s nice. The spread of food is excellent. I’ve learned not to eat a second meal before I board, otherwise I feel terrible the whole flight home. They did have some beautiful mochi desserts that I partook of. I hadn’t had any this trip and I was hoping I would get some before I left. They were beautiful, dainty, subtle and very Japanese.
I asked for an upgrade to Premium Economy, and the agent said they had one left. In a row of 4 in the middle. And not in the very front. I then asked her if the Economy seat had anyone sitting next to it, she said not yet, so I picked that. She said something about that she could block off the seat next to me, so we will see.
Mom sent me the best pictures of Cookie and one of my kitties. I miss sleeping with them. I’ve always slept with an animal. Lol, generally the 1st night they all sleep on top of me.
So I’m in Economy and there is no one next to me. Actually, the flight isn’t full and there are a lot of empty middle seats.
Space. That’s what you pay for. More personal space. Sometimes it’s worth it, other times, you can make do.
The just fed us a delicious lunch, and will be turning down the lights soon. I’m watching the old French film, Amelié. It’s funny, it seems rather recent until I realized it came out in 2001.
It’s in French with English subtitles. Thank goodness. The other version was French with Japanese subtitles. That one would have been harder to follow.
I going to settle in for my post lunch nap.
Well, I’ve landed safe and sound in Dallas. So all in all, not a bad flight. With no one sitting next to you, it’s ok. It’s just a long time with out a lot of space. And when you fly economy, I find I bring more crap to make me comfortable. When I upgrade they provide more amenities.
However, it is pouring. And flights up the east coast are being cancelled. I’m flying American Airlines back to Jax, and flights are being pushed back left and right. So I figure go hang out at the Centurion lounge. Yeah, me and 1/2 the airport. So I’m on a waitlist. We will see how long I feel like waiting.
Oh, and when I re-checked my bags, the airport guy pointed to a huge amount of luggage in front of the conveyor belt. When some one asked why they were just sitting there, the reply was, the belt is broken. 🤦‍♀️
So hopefully this delay will get my bags on the flight.
This is one of the times, technology really works in your favor. Airline apps let you know in real time what is going on with your flight.
So after about 10 minutes of waiting on the “wait list” for the Lounge, I said Fuck This and took my self off the list. It was going to be packed, lines for everything, no one would be leaving, everyone would be camping, and especially with that bougie-ass crowd.
So I went back by, wait for it… 7-11 and got an …egg salad sandwich, chips and a real Coke, in a Big Gulp cup and everything. So I’m carrying this stuff around, back on the “AirLink” back 3 terminals over. I get back to my gate, and I’m going to plop down, eat lunch and read a book. So I get settled, and I check my flight again, and it’s been cancelled.
So I start thinking what to do. Get a room here before they all book up? No, try to see how to change your flight. Let’s go look for a gate agent. Well, no gate agents anywhere, since all the flights were being cancelled. (Lol, I wouldn’t stick around and let some long line form in front of me). So found another place to sit. Check the airline app. They make it so easy. Click on cancelled flight and what day you want to fly out. Saturday afternoon/evening - nothing. Sunday? Yes, nonstop-at 3pm. Good, changed flight, check. Now grab a room at the airport hotel, because that will be the next thing to fill up. Check, reserved a room.
Texted Mom to let her know what was up, then ate lunch and had a delightful time people watching. Though I knew The egg salad sandwich wouldn’t meet my expectations, when I saw the crusts were still on. And it has something to do with the egg whites. We have them chunky in our egg salad, Japan’s is much more yolk based, more creamy and sweeter. It just way better. But that’s ok. I had low expectations. And here it was $7. Airport prices. 🤦‍♀️
So when I went to check k in an hour or so later, I was so grateful; there was a sign in the hotel lobby saying that they were all booked for the night. SO glad I was proactive on getting that hotel room.
So I got another sandwich (ham and Swiss) not from 7-11 for dinner, took a hot shower and napped for the rest of the day.
We will try again tomorrow.Lue lisää