The Joy of Airports

So I have spent a fair amount of my life in airports. As an adult I have traveled at least once a year by plane and most of those planes were international. My travel 'obsession' began in 1997 with a return trip to America from Okinawa Japan. That time I was a dependent and all I had to worry about was my bag. Then it was Hawaii in 1998. I took a small break and just worked for a few years. Then it was back to Hawaii in 2001, this time for my honeymoon. Also in 2001 I flew to Texas. This was all pre 9/11 travel. Now airports changed dramatically after that tragic event occured. In 2002 I flew from Id to Ca and back. And in 2003 what do you think would happen, but I get to go back to Okinawa. Traveling with a 7 month old was not too difficult except for the fact that I had 3 changes of clothes for her and ZERO for me. Big mistake! In 2004 I flew back to the states. In 2005 I flew back to Okinawa. In 2006 I flew to the states and back to Okinawa with 2 in tow now. In 2007 I flew back to the states and then to Georgia. In 2008 it was from Ga to Ca and back. In 2009, ditto. Most recently we flew from Ga to Ca, then Ca to Wa, then Wa to Yakota Jp, Yakota Jp to Iwakuni Jp and Iwakuni Jp to Okinawa. You would think I really like crossing the Pacific Ocean or something. So this is the preface. I am a seasoned traveler. I am not afraid to fly. Crying babies don't bother me. Even 4 cats and 2 dogs IN the passenger cabin didn't bother me. My children travel well. There was very little upset and bouts of tears that lasted less than 3 minutes. So why do I choose to open my blog with the Joy of Airports? I'm not actually sure. Before Ugly Betty was canceled she had started a blog, a sort of vent blog. This in NOT a vent blog. I aim to keep my people posted on the progress of our family. And the first progress we have to report is: we are here! We are here! We made it. All 4 people and 16 pieces of luggage. That is 2 adults, 2 children, 7 suit cases, 1 car seat and 8 carry ons that were eventually cut down to 6 carry ons because of some creative stuffing... Airports are the same no matter how much they have changed. You wait in line, you show id, you check your bag, you wait in line, you show id, they check your bag, you wait in line, you show id, you stow your bag. And every once in a while you are asked to step aside, which didn't happen to me once this time and only twice in the past 10 years (one time I was pregnant and they were on high alert for people faking pregnancy to get 'stuff' through security, you want to talk about irritated!, the other time I was traveling through Shang Hai, which I would not recommend and would NEVER do again!) So, I have some photos to capture what it is like to travel with a family of four across the ocean. Enjoy!

J is on her DS, S is watching a movie on the Zune. We were first in this line for 4 hours! Yes, 1st in line, and we waited the longest...


This was our tower of luggage. Almost 6 feet tall!




We arrived here at 11 pm and waited until 3:30 am for the plane to board. The children definitely had the right idea! My angels!

Thank you for your undivided attention! I will try to be more entertaining next time!
Love you!