Japan, or bust.

After four months of waiting and anticipating, the day had finally come. We had everything planned out so that I could kick jet-lags ass when we got to Japan. Thanks to my lovely mother, we were dropped off at the Minneapolis airport at 4:30am to catch our 7:05am flight to Toronto, and then to Japan. The night before had been an all nighter. What better way to maximize sleeping time on a plane overseas, than by staying up all night the night before? Sleepy and ready to crash, we arrive at the airport only to find out that the 7:05am flight to Toronto not only doesn't exist, but hasn't existed since February. Seems as though our booking agent "forgot" to tell the both of us that Air Canada had informed them months beforehand. By the way, never book anything, through anyone without reading reviews first. This is a mistake I have learned the hard way. Never again will I give any more if my money to three Indian guys living in California, working under the name, "Exploretrip.com." Naturally, Andrew was livid while I stood on the sidelines yawning and trying to apologize to the counter people for the outburst that was about to take place. After 2 hours on the phone with Air Canada, the "best they could do" was put us on a 10:25am flight to Toronto (thus missing our connection to Japan), and put us up in a hotel for the night.

From Toronto's airport, to our hotel was dreary and short. I think we were just relieved that the headache was over and we got $64 in free food or booze at the hotel restaurant. We passed out early that night. But not before watching a house hunters international marathon and eating peanut butter cookies in bed.

The next morning we spent the last of our "hotel bucks" and took a shuttle back to the airport. The plan to sleep the majority of the plane ride was shot because of the hefty sleep we had got the night before in Toronto. Everything from here on out was smooth sailing. Bags were checked, teeth were brushed, and shoes were kicked off for the 12 hr and 39 min plane ride ahead. Three meals were served as well as a huge selection of newly released movies and complimentary alcoholic beverages. You haven't really traveled until you've flown internationally. Shit is legit. But, of course we get stuck on the inside seats next to an older Japanese man who managed to sleep the ENTIRE flight. At this point the two bottles of wine and the vodka orange juices I had consumed are running through me at a pace that is difficult to keep up with. Due to the consistent sleeping nature of this man, the only option that seemed viable was to step over him to use the bathroom. The part that I did not factor in was that that he may possibly wake up with an American on his lap. Luckily this did not happen, although it very well could have because I wasn't graceful, and was most likely drunk.