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| We enjoyed delicious fresh sushi at the Sushi Spot in the Aiea district of Honolulu, Hawaii. |
The alarm blared in the darkness and we tiptoed to the bathroom to get ready and give my parents a bit more time to rest. Our trip across the Pacific was about to begin! Kyle and I had been dreaming about our move to Japan throughout the laborious training days in Oklahoma, but it had never felt as real as it did this morning, as we made our way to my parents’ car, which seemed to be dipping a bit in the rear with the weight of our luggage.
We said our goodbyes and made our way into Atlanta International Airport. My day dreams of beginning our PCS (permanent change of station) on Veteran’s Day on the arms of my veteran, smiling as people thanked Kyle for his service were a bit dashed: there was no sign of the cheerful Veteran’s Day regalia I’d expected...and the United Airlines staff were not the slightest bit pleased that our PCS meant an excess of luggage for them to key into the computer.
On through security we went! Our two hour flight to Chicago O’Hare boarded in no time and we arrived quickly. The 9+ hour flight from Chicago to Honolulu brought a nasty surprise - United does not serve meals or snacks on domestic flights - no matter the length! I had believed United Airlines to be equivalent to Delta, Lufthansa, or British Airways...but that is not the case. A United Airline flight can be more equally equated to that of Ryan Air and other extreme discount airlines in Europe - everything has a price! At least with Ryan Air, you have discounted tickets. Who would have dreamed that a 10 hour flight costing $1,400 per ticket would not include a cracker or sandwich!? I suppose the days of the hot meal, pretzels, and gingerbread cookies served by smiling attendants belong in the days of lore.
All complaints about United Airlines aside, it was an uneventful flight and we were more than happy to take a break from the air travel and vacation for a few days in Hawaii. Humidity swirled around us as we exited the plane - a welcome change from the dry heat of Oklahoma. Bonsai and palm trees lined the street, mountains hidden by wispy clouds peaked in the distance, and a gentle breeze lifted our hair. Aloha.
Our smiles a mile wide, we gathered our luggage and made our way to the rental car shuttle. In all my brilliance, I’d gotten a great deal on a rental car...out of the 1990s! We cruised off the lot in a weathered Grand Marquis. Watch out! Wide turns ahead!
After a quick stop by the hotel to unload our car, I chauffeured us to Sushi Spot, a small cheerful restaurant off base near the college. The sushi was the freshest we’d ever tasted! Slices of yellow tuna and octopus seemed to melt on our tongues. Welcome to Hawaii, where the fish are caught daily! Full and plum tuckered out from our day of travel, we’ve cozied up in our hotel suite and are looking forward to a day of touring Pearl Harbor on the morrow!
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