Leaving Tokyo for San Francisco

Finally the week is over, at least the work week. Chie and I still got up as early as we usually do. Breakfast and then on our way to Narita for our yearly Raiders’ trip to San Francisco.

But first we stopped at the Swedish Embassy to get my new driving license. Then in Ginza to buy some gifts and then Nippori for a local train to Narita Airport.


Chie at Nippori - note the two heads on her shoulder

At Narita we met Mash-san and had a lunch with him before we passed security. I exchanged some US Dollar and went to the Delta lounge to relax. Chie joined me after a while but Mash-san had to stay outside since he is not a Gold Medallion member.


Lunch with Mash-san at Narita Chie at the Delta lounge

The flight was loooooooooong and uneventful. Slept some directly before and during takeoff. But once I woke up I could not go back to sleep. So I watched some movies and read my 1000 pages and some Ayn Rand pocket book.

Finally we landed in San Francisco. Got our bags. Sneaked out through immigration. Got our rental car. Drove to Residence Inn in San Mateo. Checked in. Boom. I fell asleep while Chie, Mash-san together with Shimura-san and Kikue-san went grocery shopping.

When they got back I woke up and Shimura-san drove us all to the Stanford shopping mall for some serious shopping. But first a lunch at Max’s. So so, but we had a fun time.


Shimura-san driving Shimura-san & Mash-san at Max's for lunch

On our way back we stopped to shop some books at Borders as well. To my surprise they had my favorite training wear shop there, Lululemon Athletica. I bought a t-shirt.

Back at “home” we talked, prepared dinner, had dinner and talked again. About what happened since we met the last time, football in general and Raiders in particular. We had a fun time and the food was delicious when Chie is the chef.


Johan & Chie preparing dinner Shimura-san & Mash-san drinking beer... The Japanese way
Kikue-san serving pasta Fun time at dinner

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