Chris and I left San Antonio on Wed, Jan 29, 2014 for the flight to Osaka, Japan.

It was what I always dreaded, the long torturous flight. From San Antonio to San Francisco it was 3 1/2 hrs, and from SF to Osaka 11 1/2 hrs. You are so tired upon arrival. The immigration line too forever, they are now photographing and finger printing every foreign visitor.

After a $120.00 taxi ride, ( I forgot that Osaka had a new airport outside of the city) made it to the hotel.

It was a large, new, “tourist class” hotel, unlike the “business class” (tiny rooms) hotels, I usually stay at. Had dinner, “steakee”, Japanese small but tasty steak.

The time change is significant, Japan is 13 hrs ahead of the US. You are so tired, it feels so good to finally get to stretch our your bones in bed. The days and night are reversed, so part of jet lag is waking up every 2 hrs. Finally at 4:30 am, its time to get up.

Upon arrival, I recalled all the negative things I did not like, such as the hazy sky and poor air quality. After dinner, I was reminded of some of the things I really like about Japan…. I asked one of the workers at the restaurant where a convenient store was near the hotel? He gave me directions. I was outside walking down the street away from the hotel….when one of the young waiters came running after me, he had the map to the “Convenie” on his Ipad and gave me directions again. The Convenie was just on the corner.

It was surprising to me that my Japanese language was still there, tucked on some remote corner of my brain. I had rarely used it, except occasionally at the station.. there is no better way to say an ernest “thank you: but in Japanese.