Sayonara Japan

 

We're off to the airport and headed back to the States.

I'm REALLY going to miss it here! Japan is such a wonderful country. I love the people, the culture, the cities, the countryside, the food! I really wish we could have stayed longer!

 

Vending Machine Hot Chocolate. Love this stuff! Yes, it comes out of the machine HOT. And on a cold day, it also makes a great hand warmer.

 

One last look at Tokyo!

 

Well, getting to the plane was an adventure ALL on it's own. We got stuck in traffic and what should have been an hour bus ride turned into 4 hours. We arrived at the airport 30 minutes till our flight was scheduled to leave. And the line for American Airlines was nearly 200 yards long. Our heart sank as we quickly realized that we were NOT making it onto that flight and we'd have to wait in the airport till they could get us on another flight.

After waiting in line for nearly a half and hour, I noticed a ticket agent come down from her computer and was walking the line of people. I grabbed her attention in one last hope of trying to make our flight. When I told her what flight we were supposed to be on and that it was leaving SOON, she asked if we were the Castle family. I was shocked! Yes, we are. She said she'd been looking for us. Pulled us out of line and directly up to the counter. She quickly checked all our bags and handed up our tickets. I ask her, "Will our luggage make it on this flight?" She smiled and said "Yes, your luggage will make the flight just fine. You however, must RUN!" And with that, we were running!

We didn't stop running till we made the gate, at which they were holding the doors waiting for the "Castle family" to arrive. I looked back to see Dan come running around the corner with Sydney tucked under his arm (she was grinning from ear to ear, as if it was fun). We got on the flight and they shut the doors behind us. I am VERY grateful what everyone at the airport for helping us make that flight.