Dropping Off the Rental Car
So I was able to drop off my car at the airport last night, and with the help of Steve Mogul, who is the administrative person for the car rental, I was able to get the car back without any damage and had it filled with gas in time. Pretty amazing stuff that one can do that without having an office there. Steve Mogul is an amazing character.
Flight to Bangkok and a 9-Hour Layover
Then it was sitting tight on the flight — probably 9 to 10 hours to get me to Bangkok. There is a 6-hour difference between Nairobi and Bangkok, so the next flight I got came with about a 9-hour layover. That’s not the end of the world, not when you are in Bangkok, because there are so many things to visit at the airport. They’re kind of built for that kind of stuff. You can taste some of the Thai food and everything else — it’s pretty nifty. I didn’t feel the need to go into town even though it was a long time.
Arriving in Japan
That all worked out and the next flight left on time and got me to Yokohama — or close to Yokohama, let’s say Tokyo, the Haneda Airport in Japan — at about 7 o’clock in the morning on the 13th. The flights were not an issue. There was not really people to talk to, but sometimes that’s okay too.
Family Time in Yokohama
My son Nathan, who is basically responsible for having put this whole website together, was able to pick me up from the airport. It took a little longer because of the morning commute on the train, but that really all worked out like a charm.
I was able to stay with Nathan and his wife Medea and son Noah — my grandson, who is going on about 20 months old, or young, should I say. I got to spend really good time with them and witness Noah trying to put words together. He’s getting there. He’s making it happen. He’s an exciting young person. Really good time in Yokohama.
Re-Entering the US with a Green Card Hiccup
Then it was time to go on my way to the US on the 19th. The 19th got me to LA, where I had to enter the US again. That was a bit of a hiccup because I was only supposed to be gone for about 6 months. When you are on a green card, which I am, if you want to stay away longer, you need to get another permission. That was not something I had given too much attention to.
All I needed to do was show that I did not have another residence anyplace else. Having gone through 32 countries in the meantime, that sort of did away with that concern. Going through customs and meeting the right people from immigration was time-consuming, but all okay.
On to Seattle
Then on to Seattle, with just enough time to get there, stay one night, and pick up my car the next morning. More on that tomorrow. Thanks for coming along.
