A Travelogue by Peter Chordas
We landed in Osaka’s Itami Airport on the evening of December 31st, collected our ridiculously voluminous luggage, and prepared to make the final leg of our epic journey—this time from Osaka to Hiroshima by shinkansen (bullet train).
If all went according to plan, we’d be joining the Princess’ parents for their annual midnight shrine visit to celebrate Oshogatsu, the Japanese New Year.
But things rarely go according to plan, do they?
In Tokyo’s Narita Airport, we pulled our carry-on luggage down a long corridor, onto an even longer flat conveyor belt, and at length into a large room which served as the customs checkpoint.
To those of you who have traversed only the airport security of the States, the scene which I encountered could not have been more contrary. The Princess and I were, of course, separated into “Citizens” and “Non-citizens” lines, however both processions moved quickly, civilly, and without the need of armed guards.
Shocking, I know.
Once aboard our plane to Vancouver, we of course did the responsible thing and read the in-flight manual.
Canada’s instructions are way cooler than America’s. They even show you the proper way to pee out of an airplane.
