A long trip back to my second home

Safely back in Lansing!  I got 3 seats just for myself. It was so lucky because it was such a long trip.  

My flight from Haneda to Detroit got delayed for 5.5 hours and we had to wait in the airplane. I'd have gone insane if I had just one window seat, and my back wouldn't have been able to handle sitting for such a long time.  I heard the announcement say "We'll be departing in 15 min." and then was waiting for anohter hour (never trust their announcements, but they shouldn't give concrete numbers like 15 min if they are not sticking to it). We finally took off, but our destination was Seattle, not Detroit. They said they'll have to have a new pilot and crews because they'd have run out of their hours!  

After 8 hours of flight to Seattle, we were told that we'll leave for Detroit ASAP, but ended up waiting for another 4 hours.  I had to stay in Detroit overnight because I missed my connecting flight, was given a Sheraton hotel room which was gorgeous, and finally came back.  It was the longest delay I've ever experienced, and I'm so glad I had 3 seats to sleep full flat.  Many solo travellers had 3 seats just to themselves. The airplane was about half full.  I'm sure this was a rare case, but don't want to experience it again..  Delta gave me 10,000 miles as an apology, though. 

Haneda International terminal was desserted.  Only flights to SF, LA, and Detroit were operating. Strange to see such an empty airport, but it wasn't crowded at all, no waiting for security check, clean bathrooms were nice. Only a part of the airport was open.  The gate was very close, too.

It felt sad to bid farewell to Japan even just temporarily, especially during takeoff at night.

They say jokingly that it rains 9 months in Seattle, and it seemed like a typical day there.  Rain is better than snow and icy roads, though! 

I got a Sheraton room to stay in Detroit overnight!!  It was a luxurious hotel.  it's got a balcony that faces the inside of the room, where you can see a swimming pool, bars and lounges.  The bed was huge and comfy.  

A big bathroom!

Bars and lounges view from my balcony.

Balcony view.  It's similar to the hotel I stayed in Perth (if I remember correctly) where a casino and a hotel are combined and the balconys/windows were facing inside the complex instead of outside, creating a huge, luxurious, and extraordinary atomosphere. 

A swimming pool!  Looked like it was open earlier in the day.

Tall chairs

Relaxing....

Back in the air again!!

I was surprised to see snow in Lansing because there was none in Detroit.  Here I come to a winter wonderland.  But it wasn't that cold, just below fleezing.  Not too bad at all!  One of my friends picked me up at the airport, and I was so glad to have someone waiting for me.  It felt like I was welcomed back to this country again.