Sayonara, Japan. Back in the US again.

Today was my last day in Japan for a while.

I rolled out of bed, had the hotel buffet, and got back to packing.

I wanted to go by Sekaidou one more time, because I want to get my dad one of the pens that I got at Itoya, but they only had the regular version in black. I think he’ll like it anyway. Pilot makes great pens. I also loaded up on refills, because I have no idea how that’s going to work in the US.

On the way back to the hotel, I stopped by the ticket machine at JR Shinjuku and bought a green car ticket to Narita on the N’EX. Yes, it’s pricey, at 4400 yen, but the green car on the N’EX is worth every penny, and I wanted a little luxury before I got crammed into coach. (Ugh.)

When I got to the airport, I had to do a lot of security dancing just to get in.

I went to the counter to do the automated check-in, and the machine presented me with an interesting proposition. “Would you like to upgrade to Business Class for 50,000 yen?”

Hell yes I would!

Okay, I know it’s a lot of money in today’s economy, but what a coincidence– I had 50,000 yen I didn’t spend on a Vita.

I flew over in business class, and landed feeling almost human. You bet I’m going to take advantage of it on the way back!

I stopped in the Admiral’s Club and spent a few hours chilling out, mentally preparing myself for the long flight back. I understand that it’s perfectly safe, it’s just that when I’m traveling, I like to stop the car and get out every now and then and stretch. You can’t do that on a plane. Even if you do, they always send you back to your seat. Boo.

Honestly, I would prefer it if airplanes had gyms in them. That would help me take my mind off of a lot of things, and leave me refreshed when the flight was over.

The flight back to Dallas was uneventful. I made it through customs okay, and then went to the Admiral’s Club to de-stress and wait for my 8:00 flight back to RDU.

Another uneventful flight, and I was back in RDU at around 11. I didn’t get to bed until 3 a.m., and my internal clock is totally out of whack now. Tomorrow (today?) I have to drive to Asheville for Christmas!