Enroute to Japan

The Latest Log Entry • Posted 10 months, 3 weeks Ago • December 30, 2007

So I just got into Japan @ my aunts house. Nothing too interesting here, but here’s the recap for history’s sake:

Left LAX morning of the 29th, Thanks to Mo for driving me =).

Got into SFO an hour later, had a 3 hour layover. Yay for Wifi and in-airport games stores (bought Final Fantasy: Revenant Wings). Got to talk to Alex <3 and setup my phone to forward to my japanese cell.

Got on the connecting flight to Japan. Earlier in L.A. when I checked in at the airport, I upgraded to “Economy Plus” seating for $100 more for 5 extra inches of leg room. Now I know you’re thinking, thats $20 an inch, but on a 12 hour flight, thats the difference between needing a chiropractor or not. But that actually wasn’t the reason I upgraded. The real reason was that I got to select an emergency exit row seat, with no one on either side of me. THAT means I get about 5 extra FEET of legroom, hells yea.

Flight was ok, lots of personal space made if go by fast. Downside is that I had handbrake’d Pan’s Labyrinth to my iPhone and started watching it when I realized that I ripped the Director’s Commentary. DAMN. On the other hand, that girl from Transformers is damn hot. Yay for decent in-flight movies.

Got into Kansai International Airport (KIX, which is cool cuz it’s out in the middle of the ocean, kinda. And when you get off the plane you get on a mini tram thing to the main building. Interesting thing in Customs, they started scanning fingerprints and taking a photo of all visitors, in the name of terrorist protections. Also learned where the phrase “Baka Gaijin” comes from (stupid foreigner), from the dumbass Americans in front of me. A lot of ex-pats too, one cliche little bald old Caucasian lady in a robes…

After customs, my aunt arranged to a taxi service MK Taxi to take me to her house in Kobe, a nearby city to Osaka (where the airport was). It was pretty cool, its like a limo driver, with the suit, service, and all, but driving a mini-bus thing. Great service for $20.

Got into Kobe, to my Aunt’s place around 8pm, Dec 30. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! Immediately went out for ramen and katsu-don (rice bowls with meat) at a place down the street. The ramen was pretty good, but the pork rice bowl with egg was FUCKING AMAZING. Gyoza was pretty damn good too. A very satisfying way to end the journey over. Seriously, why don’t we have anything comparable in L.A.? Someone start one with me, or something…. No pics tho, sorry Anand-ski.

And yes I did work a bit, after I got settled in, I started reviewing BullSpot and GirlGamer stuff… also set up meetings…

I do miss all you guys @ home. We seriously need to come out here all together sometime.

Musical Theme: Charlotte Gainsbourg - 5:55 (album)