The Morning After

The flight, although 2 hours delayed, was actually pretty smooth. The food was great and the new Bose noise canceling headphones that I bought are an engineering wonder. Of course my iPod started acting up again, but I doubt I will use it any time other than the return flight, although I had hoped to use it to make quick audio recordings in the train stations; it has always been difficult explaining how tetsudoin speak so that their voices sound like machines.

Since I was going to be awake the entire 11 1/2 hours it was a good thing that the movie selection was good; War of the Worlds, Batman Begins (which my wife geeked out on being able to watch again... for her 4th time!) & Cinderella Man.

Picking up our luggage and getting through customs was a breeze! We met Ross in the baggage claim area and then bought tickets for an express train out of the Kansai Airport and into the main part of Osaka. Of course that was impossible for me but even difficult for Misato to decipher the machine which dispensed the 'kipu' or train tickets.

As usual it was a TOTAL pain dragging our multiple large bags. We EACH had 2 large bags and a carry-on, my wife having filled an entire large bag with gifts for our friends and family. So we dragged the bags up and down stairs and through narrow walkways as we navigated the two train stations to get to Shin-Osaka 'eki.' Actually, one station past Shin-Osaka, but I cannot remember the name.

We were met by Hayashi-sama then checked Ross into his room. It was Lilliputian! I am sure Ross kinda freaked out at how small it was but we decided we would change it for something larger... after eating. We walked down the street to a local mom & pop 'okonomiyaki-ya' that I had been to during my last trip. They have known Misato and her mother for years.

The food was GOOD and relieved my growing exhaustion headache. And Misato and her mother seemed to be having a blast chatting with the owners of the okonomiyaki-ya. The area surrounding my wife's condo has quite a few mom & pop stores and restaurants. And it is one station away (walking distance, actually) from the Shin-Osaka eki, which is one of the central stations in Osaka. So the area is quite convenient and nice.

After eating and downing a couple of beers we walked back to Ross' hotel, changed him into a larger room then walked with Hayashi-sama to the condo.

I was so exhausted that the floor seemed to shift underneath my feet in the shower! No kidding! Apparently I laid down and passed out asleep without being aware of anything around me. Normally it is difficult if not impossible for me to fall asleep with lights on and movement nearby, but not last night.

We woke up this morning at around 9AM; her mother was already awake and eating 'asagohan.' I removed the numerous gifts from our luggage and shifted everything of mine into a single bag, which I then stuffed inside the larger bag. The condo, like all Japanese condos, is small so we are trying to conserve space.

I'll shower and eat a small breakfast. Hopefully Ross, who is still in bed and feels that he may be coming down with a cold, will be up and ready to hit the streets soon!