April 29, 2001 Sunday
What a day! I woke up at 6:00am what seems like a week ago. I got up reluctantly and
showered and did all those morning things that a person does. Then I locked up my
apartment and walked to the train station.
I caught my train to the airport and also caught the plane with no trouble. I had
a light breakfast at the airport, it was a BLT with iced tea.
At Haneda Airport I was worried about it being too crowded and not having enough time
to get over to Narita but actually it was fine. I did have a bad couple of seconds
when I heard that the computer was down for the airport bus, because I thought the
woman meant that the buses weren't running, but
it was okay! I caught a bus and got over to the big airport in record time. In fact,
I was too early and I had to wait for an age.
I managed to check-in finally and had another bit of news...the flight from Vancouver
to Edmonton was overbooked, they couldn't check me all the way through. Yikes!
I decided to go ahead anyway and go through the gate and I cleared customs in Japan
easily. I looked at some of the Duty Free shops but I didn't see anything tempting,
so I passed for now. Maybe on the way back to Japan.
I finally boarded and found that I had a good seat. I was seated right beside an emergency
exit, and no-one was sitting in the seat next to me. Yahoo! I also had my own private
little TV in front of me. Lucky or what? Actually I was really glad to be sitting alone as my cold was still pretty bad. I spent a lot of time coughing or blowing
my nose. The movie was okay, Men of Honor with Robert DeNiro and Cuba Gooding Jr.
There was also a weird little Canadian movie on, plus some stuff about fishing in
Japan. I didn't sleep much! The Flight Attendant sat facing me during take-off and landing
and he was a hoot. I got on very well with the Cabin Crew and they spoiled me. One
lady, when she heard I hadn't been to Canada in 2 years brought me the Vancouver
newspaper specially! I wasn't in her section, so it was a nice gesture on her part.
We arrived in Vancouver early and I cleared customs incredibly easily. The last time
I came the guy was surly and rude, but this time the person was nice and polite!
Yay! Asked me a few questions about who I was staying with, and that was that.
I picked up my bag and then checked it back in at the Air Canada counter. They took
it and told me that I had to see the flight attendant at the gate for my seat. I
was a tad nervous, but hey...at least I was IN Canada now!
In the Vancouver Airport I had a nice look around, bought myself a Frappacino at Starbucks...wandered
and then went in to the gate.I was lucky, I had a seat. Yay!
The flight to Edmonton was happily uneventful and I got off at the airport and went
to meet Van and Katie. I didn't see them at first, there were a lot of people there.
We spotted each other about the same time, and then I went to get my bag. I waited
a long time for it, but it finally came.
Katie was very happy to see me. She seems to remember me a bit...she calls me "Helen-Helen"
which I think is utterly adorable! She's grown a lot in 2 years. She very much her
own person now. She's a tough little kid.
Van was also happy to see me, although she doesn't sit on my lap and ask me to read
her a story!
I took a 4 hour nap this afternoon and when I woke up I ate supper...Van is a good
cook, and then chatted with Katie and Joe. I don't know what the plans are for tomorrow...If
I can update I will.
Good day, just a bit too long and I'm very tired. Night-night.
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