We made it. There was a long line at Customs and then an even longer ride to the hotel from the airport. But we made it. I stayed awake the whole time. It's now 10:30pm here but my body thinks it is 6:30am. We just got back from dinner a bit ago and I've done minimal unpacking. I'm way tired and heading to bed.
This hotel room kicks ass. In-room internet access works flawlessly. Notice the flood of blog postings, have you? The TV is amazing. It's so nice, new, and fancy. I really ought to take some pictures, except that my crap is already all over the room.
Oh, well. The bed is calling.
Posted by jzawodn at October 19, 2003 06:32 AM
What do you think of airport security in Japan? The last time I went through customs I was damn impressed by their courtesy and politeness. I was an unfortunate person who was picked for a random security check. I was lead aside by a security officer where they checked my shoes and luggage and my jacket pockets were patted down. Although it all sounds scary they were actually really nice! They had a warm smile when talking to me. They asked politely for permission to check my shoes and they even used the word, "please"! I was allowed to sit down while they knelt on the floor to remove my shoes to search them. They then asked for permission to search my bag with the magic word again, "please". One of their personnel even held back the shuttle bus for me ensuring that I wouldn't be late while I was being searched. At the end they told me to have a nice trip. Then I had a stop-over at San Francisco. The security officer there stopped me while I was walking with a crowd towards arrivals. He looked me straight in the eyes and asked me where I was coming from. No smile, but no anger either fortunately. Just cold suspicious dead eyes and for a damn whole minute. Then he asked me what was in my bag and why I had only 1 bag and no suitcases. Eager to get home, I told him to look inside if he wanted to. (I wasn't gonna stand there and play mind games all day.) He said, "no I'll just put it through the x-ray". He led me to another room full of x-ray machines and other randomly picked people. I put my bag throught the x-ray machine and walked to the other side. Then I looked at him. A moment later he says, "The exit's that way", and he left the room. I was left there to pick up my bag and find my way out feeling I was just released from jail.
Yes, the Japanese are very polite. We could learn a lesson or two from them.
I was selected for a secondary search by United security in Narita. On seeing my passport, the european-looking security woman said "Oh you are Irish. You hate the British. I am from Argentina, I also hate the British." Another great moment of world harmony.
