Travel: only thing you buy that makes you richer

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Geo: 32.778, -96.7956

DAY ONE (1/3/13)—St. Louis > Dallas > Tokyo

We are traveling American Airlines from St. Louis to Dallas; then an American/JAL (Japan Air) to Tokyo, with Hanoi as our ultimate first destination. We arrive two days early … to give us time to recover from jet lag … and because we had to travel early in order to secure business class seats with our American Airlines Advantage points. (Patrick is 6'6" and the extra leg room is critical to his mental and physical wellbeing.)

The flight is uneventful, which is always good. Last time we flew JAL, coming back from Hong Kong through Tokyo in the mid-80s, I remember the service and the food as luxurious. Not so much anymore. For one, we are flying business class, not first. For another, it's a different millennium. Things are less formal, less elegant.

Our menu selections are limited. We have a tasty bacon-wrapped scallop appetizer, with a seasonal green salad. Patrick chooses the Orecchiette Pasta; while I select Yakisoba Noodles with Shrimp. Both are tasty, but nothing to write home about. Ben & Jerry's with chocolate sauce tops off the meal, which we sample as we try out a new bridge (cards) app on his iPad.

We move to movies …”Taken 2” and "Arbitrage” for me … “Taken 2” and “The Bourne Legacy” for him.

The seats are comfortable. They recline completely into a flat bed, so we take advantage of that and attempt to catch some “zzzz's” and begin to make our way in to a time zone that is 13 hours ahead of ours. I get in maybe four hours; Patrick not so many.

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Photos

Land ho!
Japan shorelines

Comments

[KATHY O'KEEFE]

DON'T EAT ANY UNCOOKED CAT, AND HAVE A BALL.

[Andi]

So far, not envious at all.

[Kathryn Crandall]

Airline food, even in businesss or first not anything like it used to be. We just flew first class on Alaska and we got a over-cooked piece of chicken, small salad, and a piece of chocolate. The only airline food I have been impressed with
in recent years is Luftansa. We flew business over to Frankfurt and my hubby just was giddy over the offerings! Safe journey, Tommye! Will be looking forward to your travel blog (and pictures, hint, hint!)

[Nancy and Bill]

Have a great time. We enjoyed business class when flying to Italy.