As 29-hour trips go -- with two connecting flights that contributed six hours of layovers, along with a one-hour delay on the Tokyo tarmac waiting for passengers from late connecting flights -- this one wasn't as bad as it sounds. Really. The older Japanese woman sitting next to me on the nearly 14-hour flight from Washington D.C. to Tokyo did not speak to me the entire trip, and she spoke English (to the flight attendants). In fact, she slept 11 of the 14 hours, so I had to wake her up every time I needed to leave my yucky window seat to pee or stretch. No wonder she acted like she hated me. But, she wasn't fat, which is my biggest concern. It doesn't matter that I'm fat. That's the problem for the person sitting next to me. So really, the longest leg of the trip was OK. I watched five movies: the latest Jason Bourne (bad); The BFG (surprisingly good story about a giant and little orphan girl); Brothers of the Wind (very watchable nature drama about an eagle and young boy); My Kind of Traitor (OK movie about the Russian mob); and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (I love Harry Potter books and movies). The food on ANA flights is pretty darn good and the flight attendants were very pretty Japanese women, not that I noticed.
I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, got my luggage and cleared customs at about midnight. I exited the terminal and there was my incredibly beautiful wife Phuong, smiling as always, and my lovely daughter Joanna. I immediately gave Joanna a big kiss, and she immediately burst into tears. But she stopped crying after about five seconds, looked at me really hard, and broke into a big smile. I almost cried I was so happy. I held Joanna nearly the entire one-hour ride home in the car and we smiled and laughed constantly. Joanna and I hung out, laughing and playing, until 2:30 a.m. (She was pretty grumpy the next day, but so what.) Phuong and I and Joanna have been almost inseparable since I got back. I returned to my daily walk and coffee, but other than that, it's been Phuong and Joanna. I couldn't be happier.
I'll return to work Monday, and I'm looking forward to it. I bought candy canes and educational games and puzzles in the U.S. because I want the students to have a good time while they learn English. I didn't like the cold weather in the U.S. as much as I thought and the heat in Vietnam isn't bothering me as much as before. I loved seeing my children in the U.S., even though they're grown up and on the go. U.S. prices are rough and I burned through a ton of money (I'm sure the Donald will cut me a check). I loved seeing friends and I really enjoy the peace and beauty of Yellow Springs, especially Glen Helen. But the bottom line is that I really missed my wife and new daughter. Being away from them makes me realize how truly wonderful our life together is.
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