THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

6:00 a.m. March 25, 2024

The alarm went off, but we were already awake and ready to get going. We had been planning this trip for months.

In 2021, the 20^th anniversary of the opening of Universal Studios Japan, we were unable to return to Japan for a team reunion because of Covid. For two years, we talked about getting together for a delayed reunion, but for one reason or another, it didn’t happen.

However, several of our Japanese coworkers realized the following:

1.     The 25^th anniversary would not be until 2026.

2.     We are all getting older.

3.     Some of our members were no longer able to travel.

4.     We had already lost too many team members.

5.     We missed each other!

So, they proposed holding a construction team reunion in Osaka on March 31 of 2024. It sounded like a great idea to us! We had been planning this trip for months.

We talked to Julie, our travel agent at AAA, about this as soon as the date was set. Flights were expensive, and not many seats were available, even months ahead. Those that remained were very expensive. However, she found us a direct flight from LAX to Kansai at a good rate—on JAL, one of the better airlines. We booked the seats.

Since Covid, no shuttles come as far south as our house from LAX. We loathe driving down there. We would have had to leave a car while we were gone, and only the outer lots are reasonable enough anyway.

Julie found a company to provide door-to-door service. Not inexpensive, but well worth the cost. We had used them for our trip to Europe in 2022 and were quite pleased.

Our Japanese team members had arranged for a special rate for rooms at the same hotel where our party would be held, but by the time I inquired, only single rooms were available. (No queen or king beds. Just twins, anyway.) So, I did some research and discovered we could get a double room with a king bed at the same hotel where we had stayed in 2011 when we had returned for the ten-year anniversary.

This hotel is right outside the park entrance and adjacent to City Walk. Not cheap, but very lovely. We booked it.

We had spent the previous week packing and washing and putting together omiyage (the gifts expected in Japan). We would be seeing friends as well as at least one of our Japanese “daughters.” And, of course, we’d be seeing some of our close work friends. Omiyage is always a challenge, but I felt I had found some good things.

Now, it was time to get the show on the road!

We were ready to be picked up at 9:00 a.m., and our driver was right on time.

The trip to the airport was surprisingly uneventful, and we arrived about three-and-a-half hours before our plane was to depart.

No hiccups in checking in or getting to our gate.

We had split a protein drink about 6:30, so by eleven o’clock or so, we were hungry. I took a walk and located a little bakery stand. We had a chocolate croissant each and a coke zero to share. (Yes, I know…)

Boarding was handled efficiently, and we took off as scheduled: 2:15 p.m.

In the air, we settled in for our twelve-and-a-half-hour flight.

We had bought along our noise-cancelling headphones, as usual. I had my iPod with me so I could zone out to my favorite music. I had hoped to get a little sleep, but I was not successful.

As soon as we were under way, I checked out the entertainment choices—quite extensive with lots of movies available.

Then, I looked at the music choices, and I found this:

Thirteen Disney songs, many from more recent films. I pointed it out to Larry, and he began to listen as well. As we headed west, he took my hand, and I had a big grin on my face. I was in a very happy place.

We were on our way back to Japan—probably for the last time—and we were ready to be there.

Happy 4th of July!

This is an encore of a blog from July 4, 2003. Thought you might enjoy seeing it again.

I’ve been thinking about one of the most memorable ones in my life. I happened to read it again today and wanted to share it with you:

Independence Day - July 4, 2000 *

Our last year in Japan, we invited a large group to our home to enjoy a traditional 4^th of July barbecue. Our California friends, Dave and Ruth, had just arrived for a visit, so it was also a chance to introduce them to our co-workers, friends and Japanese “family” including Misayo-san and Kazue.

The evening before, we had decorated the apartment using fans I had purchased in the US, embellished with a flag motif. With a red tablecloth and white napkins and accessories, it looked very patriotic.

While I was at work, Ruth made potato salad for the festivities. In addition, I had prepared baked beans, a green salad and brownies. We served assorted chips and other snacks, besides the customary hamburgers and hot dogs. Most of our guests brought additional snacks, sweets and desserts. We fired up the charcoal in the small barbecue we had purchased at the Price Club. Two of the Japanese guys commandeered the spatulas and became our cooks for the evening.

Many of the people who attended were Japanese and had never experienced a real “American-style” 4^th of July before. We played lots of patriotic music, and ate our meal on the balcony while enjoying the twinkling lights of Osaka at night. We lamented the absence of fireworks, but God had other plans. He provided a fabulous thunderstorm that no man-made pyrotechnics or laser show could begin to match. And He waited until we were finished with our barbecue before it began.

Most people viewed the heavenly display from inside, but our friend Casey insisted on remaining out-of-doors where he could get the full effect of the thunder and lightning.

Everyone enjoyed the party. Dave and Ruth got to meet our friends, and we were able to introduce the Japanese to a real “red, white and blue” Independence Day celebration.

Perhaps being so far away from home at the time, this particular holiday was especially precious to us.

We’re grateful for each one we get to celebrate, and for living in this fabulous country. Spending time elsewhere heightened our appreciation for America and its blessings!

So, celebrate in whatever way has meaning for you. Freedom is a hard-won privilege. Don’t ever forget it!

* Excerpt from 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park

©2005 Lorna Collins