Atsugi to Okinawa

Before Chris was even on his way to the airport I was flying high over Mt. Fuji and the Pacific on a C-130 en route to Okinawa, Japan. I got to ride in the cockpit! Look, Chris! I’m helping!!Empty miles of ocean gave way to an increasing set of islands as we approached Okinawa, steadily getting bigger and bigger until one was finally big enough for us to land on. A slight bank, quick descent and we were down safely. I was the only passenger so they let me wear a headset and listen the entire time. Anyway, so while I was congratulating myself on making it to Okinawa, working on this post and waiting for the next leg of the flight I overheard this conversation: “The last flight of the night is canceled. The plane’s broken and never even left Yokota.” Then the loudspeaker buzzes. “Would passengers waiting for the flight to Hickam please come to the counter…” And just like that, my hubris was over. Now what?! Daijoubu, daijoubu–it’s ok. I reserved two nights at the Shogun Inn ($39/night–can’t beat that!), am having dinner at the Officer’s Club with a retired couple who were also waiting for that flight, and my new plan is to go on a whale watching tour tomorrow and try to catch the flight headed to San Francisco first thing Monday morning!